Etymology

From Proto-Germanic *frijōną, from Proto-Indo-European *prāy-, *prēy-. Germanic cognates include Old Saxon friohan (Dutch vrijen ‎(“have sex, have a relationship etc.”)), Old Norse fria ‎(“free”), frjá ‎(“love”), Gothic 𐍆𐍂𐌹𐌾𐍉𐌽 ‎(frijōn). The Indo-European root is also the source of Greek πραΰς ‎(praǘs), Old Church Slavonic приꙗти ‎(prijati), Russian приять ‎(prijatʹ, “friend”), Old Irish ríar, Welsh rhydd ‎(“free”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈfreːojɑn/