The Norse goddess Nanna is the wife of Baldr, the beloved god of light, and the mother of Forseti, the god of justice. Her family tree connects her to the Æsir through marriage, and her own parentage is given as the god Nepr in the Prose Edda, though she is rarely mentioned outside the Baldr myth cycle.
Who Is Nanna in Norse Mythology?
Nanna appears in the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda as a minor but significant goddess. She is most famous for her role in the death of Baldr: when her husband is killed by the mistletoe spear thrown by Höðr, Nanna dies of grief and is placed on his funeral pyre. In the Prose Edda (Gylfaginning), Snorri Sturluson describes how Nanna’s heart breaks when Baldr’s body is brought to the funeral ship, and she is burned alongside him. In the same text, Hermóðr later rides to Hel to bargain for Baldr’s release, and Nanna sends gifts back to the living world: a linen robe for Frigg and a gold ring for Fulla. This small but touching detail makes her one of the few Norse goddesses with a clear emotional arc.
Nanna’s Parents: The God Nepr
In the Prose Edda, Snorri writes that Nanna is the daughter of Nepr (also spelled Nep). Nepr is otherwise almost entirely unknown; no myths about him survive, and his name is sometimes linked to the Old Norse word nepr meaning “dark” or “hidden,” but this is speculative. Some scholars have suggested Nepr might be a byname for Odin or another major god, but there is no textual evidence for that. In the Poetic Edda, Nanna’s parentage is not mentioned at all, so the only source for her father is Snorri’s account. Her mother is never named in any surviving text.
Nanna’s Marriage to Baldr
Nanna is consistently identified as Baldr’s wife. Baldr is the son of Odin and Frigg, making him one of the most prominent Æsir. The marriage is mentioned in the Prose Edda and in the poem Lokasenna from the Poetic Edda, where Loki taunts Nanna by claiming she had an affair with him. Nanna’s reply is brief and sharp: she says she loves Baldr above all and would rather be with him than with Loki. This exchange is the only time Nanna speaks in the surviving myths, and it shows her as loyal and quick-witted.
Nanna’s Son: Forseti, God of Justice
Nanna and Baldr have one son, Forseti, whose name means “presiding one” or “chairman.” The Prose Edda says Forseti is the god who settles disputes and that his hall is called Glitnir, a place of gold and silver where all legal quarrels are resolved. Forseti is often described as wise and fair, and he is invoked in matters of mediation. Unlike his father, Forseti does not appear in any surviving myth beyond this description, so his personality is mostly inferred from his role. He is, however, one of the few Norse gods with a clear function in later Icelandic legal culture, and his name was used in the old Icelandic word forseti for a presiding judge.
Nanna’s Connection to the Vanir and Other Figures
Nanna is usually counted among the Æsir because of her marriage to Baldr, but her own family background is not tied to any specific tribe. Some modern interpreters have tried to link her to the Vanir because of her name’s similarity to the goddess Nerthus or to the earth goddess figures, but there is no ancient source that places her among the Vanir. In the Prose Edda’s list of goddesses, Nanna is named alongside Frigg, Sága, Eir, and others, but no parentage or tribal affiliation is given. Her only firmly attested relatives are her father Nepr, her husband Baldr, and her son Forseti.
Nanna in the Baldr Myth: Death and Afterlife
The central myth involving Nanna is the death of Baldr. According to the Prose Edda, Baldr begins having dreams of his own death, and Frigg extracts an oath from all things not to harm him—except the mistletoe, which she overlooks. Loki crafts a spear from mistletoe and tricks the blind god Höðr into throwing it, killing Baldr. When the gods carry Baldr’s body to his ship for the funeral, Nanna’s grief is so overwhelming that she dies on the spot. She is laid beside Baldr on the pyre, and the ship is set alight and pushed out to sea. Later, when Hermóðr rides to Hel to plead for Baldr’s return, Hel agrees to release him only if every living thing weeps for him. Nanna, already dead, is in Hel and presumably weeps, but the giantess Þökk refuses, and Baldr remains in Hel. Nanna stays with him there, and the myth implies they are together in the afterlife.
Nanna’s Name and Possible Origins
The name Nanna is not unique to Norse mythology. In Sumerian mythology, Nanna is the moon god, and some scholars have noted the coincidence, but there is no evidence of a direct connection. The Norse Nanna’s name might be related to the Old Norse word nanna meaning “mother” or to the verb nenna meaning “to dare,” but these are uncertain. Some folk etymologies link her to the word for “woman” or “wife,” which would fit her role as Baldr’s devoted spouse. However, no ancient gloss explains her name, so any meaning is speculative.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Nanna’s parents?
According to the Prose Edda, Nanna’s father is Nepr, a god about whom nothing else is known. Her mother is never named in any surviving source.
Is Nanna the same as the Sumerian moon god Nanna?
No. The Sumerian Nanna is a male moon god from ancient Mesopotamia, while the Norse Nanna is a goddess. The similarity in names is likely a coincidence, and there is no known cultural link between the two.
Did Nanna have any children besides Forseti?
No. The only child attributed to Nanna and Baldr is Forseti. No other offspring are mentioned in the Eddas.
Why did Nanna die of grief?
The Prose Edda says her heart broke when she saw Baldr’s body, and she died on the spot. This is a literal description of grief causing death, a common motif in Norse sagas and myths.
What gifts did Nanna send from Hel?
In the Prose Edda, when Hermóðr visits Hel, Nanna sends a linen robe to Frigg and a gold ring to Fulla. These gifts show she is still mindful of the living.
Is Nanna mentioned anywhere else in Norse texts?
Nanna appears in the Poetic Edda’s Lokasenna and in the Prose Edda’s Gylfaginning and Skáldskaparmál. She is also referenced in some skaldic poetry, but always in connection with Baldr.
Related
- Lava in Hindu Mythology: Fire, Myths & Meaning
- Cai Shen: Chinese God of Wealth Explained
- Sol in Roman Mythology: Sun God Explained
How pages are sourced and corrected: Sources and editorial policy.