What does Freya mean?
From the Old Norse, “lady” or “noblewoman.” Freya is the Norse goddess of love and beauty.
What does Liv mean?
Liv comes from the Old Norse for “life” or “protection.”
Freya vs Liv
Which is more popular?
Freya is more popular than Liv today: about 1,746 US babies were given the name Freya in 2025, compared with 296 named Liv.
| Freya | Liv | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Lady, noblewoman | Life |
| Origin | Norse | Norse |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | FRAY-uh | LEEV |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| First appeared | 1931 | 1956 |
| Peak year | 2022 (2,183) | 2017 (437) |
| In 2025 | 1,746 | 296 |
| Trend | Rising | Rising |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Freya
Liv
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Freya | Liv |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 11,354 | 2,267 |
| 2010s | 6,960 | 3,443 |
| 2000s | 772 | 890 |
| 1990s | 180 | 84 |
| 1980s | 121 | 73 |
| 1970s | 131 | 129 |
| 1960s | 54 | 5 |
| 1950s | 70 | 10 |
| 1940s | 166 | 0 |
| 1930s | 13 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Freya or Liv more popular?
Freya is more popular than Liv today: about 1,746 US babies were given the name Freya in 2025, compared with 296 named Liv.
What is the difference between Freya and Liv?
Freya means Lady, noblewoman (Norse origin), while Liv means Life (Norse origin).
Which name is older, Freya or Liv?
In US records, Freya first appears in 1931 and Liv in 1956, so Freya has the longer recorded history.