Finnish Names

Upbeat name that cheers you as soon as you hear it. One famous bearer is Maori feminist Meri Te Tai Mangakāhia.

Ayn is a nonconformist name associated with controversial Russian-born writer and philosopher Ayn Rand, (born Alisa) author of The Fountainhead, who adopted it when she moved to the US in 1926.

Valo, an unusual entry in the o-ending category, can work for girls in the US. On Nameberry, it's especially popular among visitors from Bangladesh.

If you've heard this name, it's probably from the hero of the acclaimed Julia Glass novel, Three Junes, or else the political scientist Richard Fenno. As well as a Finnish name, it's alos a Frisian diminutive from names in the Frederick family, making it is a cousin of Freddie, Fritz and Fedde. This name is so rare it's never appeared on the charts, but with its energetic O ending it might appeal if you're looking for an alternative to names like Otto and Arlo.

Sohvi is the Finnish translation of Sophia, although Sofia ranks as the most popular variation in Finland.

A name made most famous by the operetta The Merry Widow which features "The Vilja's Song". A vila is a woodland spirit or fairy in Slavic mythology. Vilja also means "grain" in Finnish and "will, intent" in Swedish, and is very popular as a girls' name in Scandinavia, ranking in the Top 100 in both Finland and Norway.

This pretty Finnish name is a diminutive of a diminutive, going from Sarah to Sari to Saija.

An attractive Finnish name with the potential to cross borders.

A popular Finnish male name properly spelt Väinö, which derives from Väinämöinen – a hero from Finnish legend. Vaino (without the diacritic marks) is a Finnish word meaning "persecution" and so is not used in Finland as a name in this form.

A popular choice in Finland, where it ranks among the Top 50 boy names.

Makes Severin and Severus a little less, well, severe.

We like Matti in theory, but in practice it’s likely to get confused for the girlish Maddie.

This common name for both boys and girls in Scandinavia would definitely work better as a feminine name in the U.S.

Distinctive-sounding Scandinavian name. with deep roots. Short form is the attractive Jari.