The name Njörðr corresponds to that of the older Germanic fertility goddess Nerthus, whose reverence by various Germanic tribes is described by Roman historian Tacitus in his 1st century CE work Germania. Both derive from the Proto-Germanic theonym Nerþuz. The original meaning of the name remains contested, but it may be related to the Irish word nert which means force and power. It has been suggested that the change of sex from the female Nerthus to the male Njörðr is due to the fact that feminine nouns with u-stems disappeared early in Germanic language while the masculine nouns with u-stems prevailed. However, other scholars hold the change to be based not on grammatical gender but on the evolution of religious beliefs. That Nerþuz and Njörðr appear as different genders because they are to be considered separate beings. Hellquist (1922:519) The name Njörðr may be related to the name of the Norse goddess Njörun. Jónsson (1913:110) and Magnússon (1989:671). Njörðr's name appears in various place names in Scandinavia, such as Nærdhæwi now Nalavi in Närke, Njærdhavi now Mjärdevi in Linköping, and Njarðvík in southwest Iceland. Vigfússon (1874:456). Njörðr's name appears in a word for sponge; Njarðarvöttr meaning Njörðr's glove. Additionally, in Old Icelandic translations of Classical mythology the Roman god Saturn's name is glossed as Njörðr.
Poetic Edda Attestations
In stanza 39 of the poem Vafþrúðnismál, the god Odin disguised as Gagnráðr faces off with the wise jötunn Vafþrúðnir in a battle of wits. While Odin states that Vafþrúðnir knows all the fates of the gods, Odin asks Vafþrúðnir from where Njörðr came to the sons of the Aesir. In response, Vafþrúðnir says that in Vanaheim the wise Powers made him and gave him as hostage to the gods. He adds that at the doom of men he will come back home among the wise Vanir. Larrington (1999:46). In stanza 16 of the poem Grímnismál, Njörðr is described as having a hall in Nóatún made for himself. The stanza describes Njörðr as a prince of men who lacks malice and rules over the high-timbered temple. Larrington (1999:54). In stanza 43, the creation of the god Freyr's ship Skíðblaðnir is recounted, and Freyr is cited as the son of Njörðr. Larrington (1999:58). In the late flyting poem Lokasenna, an exchange between Njörðr and Loki occurs in stanzas 33 through 36. After Loki has an exchange with the goddess Freyja, Njörðr states that it is harmless if a woman has a lover besides a husband. Loki responds by stating that from here you were sent east as hostage to the gods. Loki also claims that the daughters of Hymir used you as a pisspot and pissed in your mouth. Njörðr responds that this was his reward when he was sent as a hostage to the gods because he fathered a son whom no one hates. Loki tells Njörðr to stop and keep some moderation before revealing that Njörðr's son Freyr was produced with his unnamed sister.