iduna

Iduna is a name that can refer to several related but distinct subjects, most notably a variant spelling of the Norse goddess Iðunn (Old Norse Idunn), the keeper of the apples of immortality. In Norse mythology, Iðunn guards magical apples that grant the gods youth and longevity. She is often depicted as the wife of Bragi, the god of poetry, though some sources vary on familial details. A well-known myth involving her tells of Loki stealing the apples, causing the Æsir to age until the gods recover them and regain their youth.

Etymology and usage for the name Iduna trace back to Old Norse Iðunn. The exact meaning is uncertain, but the name has come to be associated with youth and renewal. In modern times, Iduna and its variants are used as feminine given names in various cultures, valued for their mythic associations and distinctive sound.

Other uses of Iduna appear in contemporary fiction and media, where the name is sometimes chosen for characters or fictional places to evoke Norse or mythological themes. In these contexts, the reference is generally independent of the original myth, serving as a literary or world-building choice rather than a retelling.

See also Iðunn, Idunn.