The fear of Friday the 13th is most commonly called paraskevidekatriaphobia , and another widely used term is friggatriskaidekaphobia.

Quick Scoop: What Is the Fear of Friday the 13th Called?

The main names

  • Paraskevidekatriaphobia :
    • From Greek paraskeví (Friday) + dekatreís (thirteen) + phobia (fear).
  • Friggatriskaidekaphobia :
    • From Frigga (Norse goddess whose name is linked to Friday) + triskaidekaphobia (fear of the number 13).

Both are used for the irrational fear or intense anxiety specifically about Friday the 13th.

A tiny bit of background

  • Triskaidekaphobia = fear of the number 13 in general.
  • Friday has its own unlucky reputation in Western superstition, and combining it with 13 helped create the superstition around Friday the 13th.
  • Modern articles and pop-culture explainers tend to prefer paraskevidekatriaphobia , but friggatriskaidekaphobia still appears in books, blogs, and fan discussions.

In everyday use, people usually just say “fear of Friday the 13th” rather than try to pronounce those tongue‑twisters.

Mini FAQ

  1. Is this an official medical diagnosis?
    • Not really; these long names are more linguistic curiosities. Clinicians usually talk in terms of specific phobias or anxiety disorders instead of using these exact labels.
  1. Is it common?
    • Some sources estimate a noticeable minority feel real anxiety around this date, enough that it can affect travel, appointments, or daily plans.

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Wondering what is the fear of Friday the 13th called? Learn about paraskevidekatriaphobia and friggatriskaidekaphobia, where these names come from, and how this spooky date became a trending topic.

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