Laufey is pronounced “LAY-vay.”
The first syllable sounds like lay, and the second sounds like vay, which rhymes with day:
LAY-vay
The main detail to remember is that the f in Laufey sounds more like a v. Laufey has demonstrated this pronunciation herself in interviews, and it is the pronunciation commonly used when referring to the singer.
Breaking the Name Into Sounds
Divide Laufey into two simple parts:
- Lau sounds like lay
- fey sounds like vay
Say the parts slowly at first:
Lay — vay
Then say them together naturally:
Laufey
The stress falls slightly more strongly on the first syllable, but the two parts should flow together as one name.
Common Mispronunciations
Because Laufey does not sound exactly the way many English speakers expect, you may hear several incorrect versions, including:
- LAW-fee
- LOW-fee
- LAY-fee
- LOW-fay
- LAY-fay
These attempts are understandable, especially when someone has only seen the name written down. However, when referring to the Icelandic singer, the easiest English-friendly pronunciation is:
LAY-vay
A useful memory trick is to think of “lay day” and replace the d in “day” with a v.
English and Icelandic Pronunciations
“LAY-vay” is a simplified pronunciation that works well for English speakers. The native Icelandic pronunciation is slightly different because the first syllable contains a vowel sound that does not have an exact English equivalent.
A pronunciation reference represents the Icelandic version as approximately /ˈlœy̯ː.vɛi̯/.
You do not need to master the Icelandic sound perfectly to say the singer’s name correctly in an English conversation. Using LAY-vay is clear, recognizable, and consistent with the way Laufey introduces her name to international audiences.
What Does the Name Laufey Mean?
Laufey is a feminine Icelandic name with roots in Old Norse.
The first part of the name is connected to lauf, meaning “leaf” or “foliage.” Some name references suggest that the second part may be related to ey, meaning “island.” This has led to interpretations such as “leafy island” or “island of foliage.” However, the exact origin of the second part is not completely certain.
Laufey is also a name from Norse mythology. In traditional stories, Laufey is the mother of Loki. That mythological figure is separate from the modern singer, although they share the same name.
Who Is Laufey?
Laufey is an Icelandic singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. She is known for combining influences from jazz, classical music, bossa nova, traditional pop, and contemporary songwriting.
Her full name is Laufey Lín Bing Jónsdóttir, but she performs professionally using her first name. Songs such as “From the Start,” “Valentine,” “Promise,” and “Bewitched” introduced her music to a large international audience.
As her popularity grew, so did questions about how to pronounce her name. Rather than changing or shortening it, Laufey has regularly helped interviewers and fans learn the correct pronunciation.
How to Use Laufey in a Sentence
Because Laufey is a person’s name, it is used like any other proper noun and should begin with a capital letter.
Here are a few examples:
- “Laufey is one of my favorite singers.”
- “Have you listened to Laufey’s music?”
- “We bought tickets to see Laufey perform.”
- “My friend introduced me to Laufey’s songs.”
- “Laufey blends older musical influences with modern songwriting.”
To show possession, add an apostrophe and s:
- “Laufey’s voice is easy to recognize.”
- “I enjoy Laufey’s songwriting style.”
- “That is one of Laufey’s most popular songs.”
How to Remember the Pronunciation
The simplest way to remember the name is:
LAY + VAY = Laufey
Both syllables rhyme with day.
You can also practice saying the name inside a full sentence:
“I have been listening to Laufey today.”
“Laufey is performing tonight.”
After repeating the name a few times, the pronunciation should begin to feel natural.
Final Pronunciation
Laufey is pronounced:
LAY-vay
Remember that the first syllable sounds like lay, while the second sounds like vay. Avoid pronouncing it as “Low-fee” or “Lay-fee.” For everyday English conversations, LAY-vay is the clearest and most widely recognized pronunciation.
