List of names of Freyr


The Germanic god Freyr is referred to by many names in Old Norse poetry and literature. Multiple of these are attested only once in the extant record and are found principally in Skáldskaparmál. Some names have been further proposed by scholars to have referred to the god in the Medieval period, including one from Old English literature.

Names

Proposed names

Scholars have proposed names that may have been used historically to refer to Freyr. In contrast to the first table, these names rely to varying extents on speculation and are not unequivocal.
Name
Name
Name meaningAttestationsNotes
ÁlfrAlfElfSkáldskaparmál, Vafþrúðnismál as a component of the sun kenning álfröðullProposed by Alaric Hall due to Snorri's description of Freyr ruling over the sun's shining, the name of his servant Skírnir is derived from skírr, and the partial synonymity between álfr and vanr.
AlfwaldaAlfwaldaRuler of elvesBeowulf Argued by Paul Beekman Taylor to refer to Freyr, based on the association between Freyr and elves seen in the Dvergatal, in which both Yngvi and Álfr are listed, and in Grímnismál, when he is described as ruling over Álfheimr. Alaric Hall describes the reading of alfwalda, rather than amending to alwalda, as reasonable but notes the argument is highly speculative.
FróðiFrodi, FrodeWiseYnglinga saga In the euhemeristic Ynglinga saga, Fróði's Peace began under the rule of the Freyr, and was maintained after his death through offering him blót and veneration. Referring to the figure after which the period of peace is named, Rudolf Simek states that "it has been realized for a long time that Fróði and Freyr are identical." In Skírnismál, Freyr is also referred to as .
ÞrórThrorRelated to . Has been proposed to mean "The sexually prolific" and "The thriving".Grímnismál, Ynglingatal A name for Óðinn, proposed by John McKinnell to have been a name for Freyr due to the description of the Norwegian branch of the Ynglings as 'Þrór's descent' and its use as a heiti for boar in Nafnaþulur. Olof Sundqvist supports this idea, noting also that Freyr is described as Þroskr in Skírnismál.

Primary

  • Secondary

Freyr, names of
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Freyr
Category:Masculine names