Mythology comparison guide
Laufey in Norse Mythology vs God of War Faye
The shared name is deliberate, but the family tree, gender presentation, story role and relationships are different. This guide separates the Eddic figure from Santa Monica Studio's Faye.
Short answer
Are the two Laufeys the same character?
No. In surviving Norse literary sources, Laufey is named as Loki's mother and the wife or partner of Farbauti. The texts give her little independent narrative.
In God of War, Laufey is Faye: a female Jotunn warrior, Kratos' second wife and Atreus' mother. The game borrows the mythic name and Giant connection, then builds a new character and family role around them.
- Mythic Laufey
- Mother of Loki
- God of War Laufey
- Faye, mother of Atreus
- Shared element
- Name and Giant/Jotunn association
- Key difference
- Different family tree and narrative role
At a glance
Mythology Laufey and God of War Faye compared
Use the name as a clue, not proof that every mythic relationship carries into the games.Laufey, Loki's mother
A sparsely described parent figure whose name helps identify Loki as Loki Laufeyjarson.
Faye, Atreus' mother
A fully developed Jotunn warrior whose plans shape Kratos and Atreus across the Norse saga.
| Topic | Norse mythology | God of War |
|---|---|---|
| Primary identity | Loki's mother, also called Nal in some sources | Faye, also called Laufey the Just |
| Partner | Farbauti | Kratos |
| Child | Loki | Atreus, whose Jotunn name is Loki |
| Story presence | Brief genealogical references | Central influence, memories, prophecy and a playable lead in God of War Laufey |
| Gender presentation | Usually described as female in source summaries | Female Jotunn warrior |
| Direct adaptation? | Source figure | Creative reinterpretation, not a one-to-one retelling |
The source tradition
Who is Laufey in Norse mythology?
The clearest surviving references are genealogical rather than a complete myth centered on her.
The Prose Edda identifies Loki as the son of Farbauti and Laufey, and also gives Laufey the name Nal. Loki is repeatedly called Laufeyjarson, meaning Laufey's son.
That naming pattern makes Laufey important to Loki's identity, but the surviving texts do not provide the detailed biography, quests or personality that modern retellings often invent.
- Laufey is associated with Loki's parentage.
- Nal appears as an alternate name in the Prose Edda tradition.
- Claims about her powers, adventures or detailed character should be treated cautiously unless a source is named.
The game adaptation
Why God of War turns Laufey into Faye
The games preserve the name and connect it to Loki while deliberately rearranging the family relationship.
God of War keeps Laufey close to Loki by making her the mother of Atreus, whose Giant name is Loki. It then replaces the mythic father Farbauti with Kratos and expands Laufey into Faye, a major off-screen and on-screen force.
This adaptation lets the series echo Norse naming while supporting its own themes: parenthood, hidden identity, prophecy, grief and the choices that can change fate.
- The mother-son connection to Loki is preserved.
- Kratos and the Greek-Norse crossover replace the mythic family structure.
- Faye receives a warrior identity, personal mission and much larger narrative role.
Common mix-ups
What not to combine
These distinctions prevent the most common lore errors.Faye is not Loki's mother in the same way twice
Mythic Laufey is Loki's mother directly. In the games, Faye is Atreus' mother, and Atreus carries the Loki identity.
Kratos is not Farbauti
The games do not simply rename every mythic relative. Kratos is an original crossover replacement within this family structure.
Faye is not Angrboda
Angrboda is a separate Jotunn character and Atreus' contemporary in God of War Ragnarok.
Marvel's Laufey is another adaptation
Marvel commonly presents Laufey as a male Frost Giant and Loki's father, which is separate from both the Eddic figure and God of War Faye.
Source check
Where the comparison comes from
Read the source tradition and game canon separately before drawing parallels.FAQ
Laufey mythology questions
Who is Laufey in Norse mythology?
Laufey is named as Loki's mother and the partner of Farbauti. She is also called Nal in the Prose Edda tradition, but surviving sources say little about her own adventures.
Is Faye from God of War based on Laufey?
Yes, the name and the maternal link to Loki are clear inspirations. Faye is still a major creative reinterpretation with a different partner, child presentation and story role.
Is Laufey male or female?
Norse source traditions and standard references present Laufey as Loki's mother. Marvel's male King Laufey is a separate modern adaptation, while God of War presents Faye as a woman.
Why is Atreus called Loki if his mother is Laufey?
The games adapt the mythic naming relationship: Faye is Laufey and Atreus is given the Jotunn name Loki. This preserves the mother-Loki connection while changing the wider family tree.
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