TheFrigg and Freyja common origin hypothesis holds that theOld Norse goddessesFrigg andFreyja descend from a commonProto-Germanic figure, as suggested by the numerous similarities found between the two deities.[1] ScholarStephan Grundy comments that "the problem of whether Frigg or Freyja may have been a single goddess originally is a difficult one, made more so by the scantiness of pre-Viking Age references toGermanic goddesses, and the diverse quality of the sources. The best that can be done is to survey the arguments for and against their identity, and to see how well each can be supported."[2]
The namesFreyja andVanir (the group of gods to which Freyja belongs) are not attested outside ofScandinavia, as opposed to the name of the goddessFrigg, who is mentioned asFrīg inOld English and asFrīja inOld High German, all stemming fromProto-Germanic*Frijjō. Although there is no similar evidence for the existence of a common Germanic goddess from whichFreyja descends, some scholars have argued that this may simply be due to the scarcity of records outside of the North Germanic tradition.[1]
It has also been suggested that the namesFreyja andFrigg may stem from a common linguistic source.[3] This theory, however, is rejected by most linguists in the field, who interpret the nameFrigg as related to theProto-Germanic verb*frijōn ('to love') and stemming from asubstantivized feminine of the adjective*frijaz ('free'),[4][5] whereasFreyja is regarded as descending from a feminine form of*frawjōn ('lord').[6][7] On the other hand, the namesFreyja ('lady, mistress') andFreyr ('lord') arecognates stemming from the common root*frawjōn, which does not necessarily imply further relation.[6][7]
Both Frigg and Freyja are associated withweaving, combining the aspects of a love goddess and adomestic goddess.[8] In Sweden and some parts of Germany, theasterism ofOrion's Belt is known as herdistaff orspindle.[9]
In the 2018 Santa Monica Studio gameGod of War, and in its 2022 sequelGod of War Ragnarök the character Freyja is frequently referred to as Frigg. The stated reason in game is whenever she accomplished something, Odin would attribute it to Frigg in an attempt to shroud her accomplishments under the Aesir banner.[10]
In the universe ofMarvel Comics, Frigga, the adopted mother ofThor, and the Asgardian goddess Freya were initially written as different characters. Beginning withLoki: Agent of Asgard in 2015, Frigga has exclusively used the name Freyja, although a separate character with the name "Freya" has also made scarce appearances.
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