Lofn
LOFN
Lofn is the name of a minor Norse goddess described in the Prose Edda. Her name derives from the Old Norse 'lof' meaning permission, praise, or leave granted. She was a goddess of forbidden love, with the power to obtain Odin and Frigg's permission for marriages between lovers who had been separated or whose unions faced obstacles.
At a glance
The name of a Norse goddess of forbidden love and permission, a rare and mythologically significant name from the Prose Edda's catalog of goddesses.
Etymology & History
Lofn's name derives from the Old Norse root 'lof', which carried multiple related meanings: permission or leave granted, praise or honor, and the act of allowing something to occur. All of these senses are present in the goddess's character: she grants permission for unions, she honors those who seek her help, and she praises and facilitates love. The name is thus precisely fitted to the goddess's function.
The word 'lof' is related to Old English 'lof' meaning praise, and to broader Germanic words for permission and commendation. In the context of Norse religion, receiving 'lof' from the gods, particularly from Odin and Frigg as the divine authority figures, was a necessary precondition for legitimizing certain human actions. Lofn's role was to be the mediator of this divine permission.
As a personal name, Lofn would carry the dual resonance of the common noun (permission, praise) and the divine figure. Norse people who gave this name to daughters were invoking the goddess directly, expressing the hope that the child would embody Lofn's qualities of facilitating love and obtaining divine sanction for important life choices.
Cultural Significance
In Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda, written in the thirteenth century but drawing on older mythological traditions, Lofn is listed among the Asynjur, the female deities of Asgard. Snorri describes her as so mild and good to invoke that she could obtain permission from Odin or Frigg for the union of human beings, male or female, even when others had forbidden it. This description makes Lofn a goddess of accessible, human-scaled intervention, concerned with the practical and emotional needs of lovers.
Lofn's function as a goddess who crosses boundaries to enable love that has been blocked by human opposition reflects a Norse understanding that true love might sometimes require divine intervention to overcome social obstacles. The concept that even the chief gods could be persuaded to grant permission for forbidden unions suggests a theology where love had genuine power to move even the highest authorities.
The name Lofn has attracted renewed attention in modern times among those interested in Norse mythology and the full range of the Norse pantheon beyond the most famous gods. As a given name, it offers a direct connection to Norse religious tradition and to a goddess whose domain, facilitating love and reconciling opposites, has enduring relevance.
Famous people named Lofn
Lofn
Lofn Sigurdardottir
Frequently Asked Questions
Names like Lofn
Astrid
“Divinely beautiful”
Astrid derives from the Old Norse elements 'ass' (god, divinity) and 'fridr' (beautiful, beloved), creating a name that carries the graceful meaning of divine beauty or beloved of the gods.
Freydis
“Frey's goddess”
Freydis is composed of the name of the Norse god Frey, deity of fertility, prosperity, and sunshine, and dis, meaning goddess, divine woman, or female spirit. The dis were supernatural feminine beings in Norse belief, often associated with fate and protection. Freydis Eiriksdottir, daughter of Erik the Red and sister of Leif Erikson, was a Viking explorer who journeyed to Vinland, making this one of history's great female explorer names.
Gudrid
“Divine counsel or god's wisdom”
Gudrid joins the Old Norse elements gud, meaning god or divine, and rid, derived from rad meaning counsel, advice, or wisdom. The name means one who receives divine counsel or possesses godly wisdom, evoking a woman guided by sacred insight and inner understanding. It was borne by one of the most extraordinary women in Viking Age history.
Runa
“Secret, hidden wisdom”
Runa derives from the Old Norse run, meaning secret, hidden knowledge, or mystery, the same root that gave us the runic alphabet used by the Vikings for writing, divination, and magic. The name carries an aura of ancient wisdom, mystical depth, and scholarly power. Used for both boys and girls in Scandinavia, it feels quietly formidable.
Sigrid
“Beautiful victory or victorious wisdom”
Sigrid is rooted in the Old Norse and Germanic elements 'sigr' meaning 'victory' and 'fríðr' meaning 'beautiful' or 'fair'. The name carries the dual sense of triumphant beauty, evoking a woman who is both elegant and formidable. It was borne by legendary queens and aristocrats throughout Scandinavia and Germany, cementing its association with noble bearing.
Solveig
“Sun strength, daughter of the sun”
Solveig combines Old Norse elements meaning 'sun' and 'strength' or 'path,' creating a name that evokes radiant power and the illuminating warmth of sunlight.
Where you'll find Lofn
Lofn shows up in these curated collections across Namekin.