Frey is a variant form of Freyr, the name of an Old Norse god associated with kingship, fertility, peace, prosperity, fair weather, and good harvest. In Norse mythology, Freyr (meaning "lord" in Old Norse) is a prominent deity of the Vanir group, alongside his twin sister Freya and father Njord. Derived from the Proto-Germanic root *fraujô meaning "lord," the name Freyr may originally have been a title for the god Yngvi, with whom he is sometimes conflated as Yngvi-Freyr. Etymology The name Freyr itself is a title rather than a given name in the original context. The variant form Frey, being a shorter form of Freyr, appears in modern usage primarily as a given name in various cultures, though its use is uncommon. The Germanic root *fraujô survives in other Germanic languages, such as German 'Frau' and Old English 'frēa', both meaning "lord" or "lady." Historically, Freyr was especially venerated in Sweden, where he was seen as the progenitor of the Swedish royal house. Mythological Significance According to the Poetic Edda and Prose Edda, Freyr is a god of great importance. He is the son of Njörðr and his sister-wife, and the twin of Freyja. The gods gifted him Álfheimr, the realm of the Elves, as a teething present. He possesses the magical boar Gullinbursti, made by dwarfs, and the ship Skíðblaðnir, which always has favorable winds. His attributes include the sword that fights on its own, which he gives away to obtain the giantess Gerðr as his wife. This sacrifice left him weaponless at Ragnarök, where he is slain by the fire giant Surtr. Freyr is closely associated with peace, prosperity, and good harvest. The 11th-century chronicler Adam of Bremen described his statue in the Temple at Uppsala as being equipped with a phallus, symbolizing fertility. Snorri Sturluson wrote that Freyr was "the most renowned of the æsir" (though Freyr is technically Vanir) and was venerated for good harvest and peace. Notable Bearers As a modern given name, Frey has been rare but appears occasionally. Its Swedish cognate, Frej, has seen some use. The related name Froilán (Spanish) historically derives from a Germanic name containing the root fraujô. Related Forms Feminine forms: Freya, Freyja Other languages: Frej (Swedish), Freyr (Icelandic), Froilanus (Germanic), Froilán (Spanish)