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Finnish Names for Boys

Nameberry
By Nameberry
Updated Tue Jun 09 2020
Finnish names for boys include some seriously strong and striking options, like Nameberry favorite Eero, which ranks over 3000 places higher on our site than in the official stats. That certainly makes it one to watch! And Eero is just one of a whole group of awesome o-ending Finnish boy names which we think have real potential further afield — even more obscure options include Aro, Reino, Timo and Valo. Popular boy names in Finland range from the familiar (Leo, Oliver) to the utterly unique (Eetu, Onni).

You're sure to find something to suit in our long-list of Finnish baby boy names, below. The top names below rank among the current US Top 1000 Baby Names and are ordered by popularity. Unique names rank below the Top 1000 and are listed alphabetically.
  1. Rasmus

    • Origin:

      Finnish and Scandinavian variation of Erasmus

    • Meaning:

      "beloved, desired"

    • Description:

      A form of ancient name newly popular in Eastern Europe, Rasmus is rugged and distinctive - and on trend in Estonia and Finland. Virtually unknown in the U.S. but with its philosophical roots and uplifting meaning, Rasmus seems prime for use. The Rasmus is a Finnish rock band.
  2. Timo

    • Origin:

      Norwegian, Finnish, German, and Dutch variation of Timothy

    • Meaning:

      "honoring God"

    • Description:

      Popular in its own right in Germany and definitely makes a more intriguing and grownup short form of the classic Timothy than Timmy or even Tim.
  3. Taavi

    • Origin:

      Estonian and Finnish form of David, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "beloved"

    • Description:

      A compact yet impactful name, Taavi is an international variation of the Biblical classic David, notably used in Estonia and Finland. Estonian prime minister Taavi Rõivas was one bearer of the name.
  4. Valo

    • Origin:

      Finnish; Malagasy

    • Meaning:

      "light"

    • Description:

      Really offbeat, upbeat multi-cultural name with light sound and meaning. Valo might make a more unique spin on Milo.
  5. Eero

    • Origin:

      Finnish variation of Eric

    • Meaning:

      "eternal ruler"

    • Description:

      Creative gem perfect for an architect's son, in tribute to modern Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen.
  6. Esa

    • Description:

      Esa is a masculine name with multicultural origins. In Finnish, it's a traditional name meaning 'God is my salvation' or 'God helps,' equivalent to the biblical name Isaiah. In Arabic cultures, Esa (عيسى) is the name for Jesus, making it a name of profound religious significance. The name's brevity gives it a modern appeal despite its ancient origins. Esa has remained consistently used in Finland and various Muslim communities, though it's relatively uncommon in Western countries. Its cross-cultural presence, meaningful spiritual connections, and simple pronunciation make it attractive to parents seeking a name with depth that works well internationally.
  7. Aalto

    • Origin:

      Finnish

    • Meaning:

      "wave"

    • Description:

      The last name of Finnish moderne designer/architect makes an original, creative choice with an unexpected water-related meaning.
  8. Toivo

    • Origin:

      Finnish, Estonian

    • Meaning:

      "hope"

    • Description:

      This name was on the U.S. Top 1000 in the early 20th century, when recent immigrants frequently chose native names that have since died out for American babies. But if you're of Finnish or Estonian ancestry, you may want to consider reviving this one with a positive meaning.
  9. Fenno

    • Origin:

      A Finnish tribe and language

    • Description:

      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.
  10. Aro

    • Origin:

      Finnish diminutive of Aaron

    • Description:

      Aro is a cute name from Scandinavia which, given the popularity of similar names like Milo, Arlo etc might be ripe for more usage outside of the Nordic countries.
  11. Perttu

    • Description:

      Perttu is a masculine Finnish name derived from the Finnish version of Bartholomew (Perttu or Pertti). Its origins trace back to the Aramaic name Bar-Talmai, meaning 'son of Talmai' or 'son of the furrows.' In Finland, the name is celebrated on Bartholomew's Day (August 24), traditionally marking the end of summer. Perttu has moderate popularity in Finland but remains rare internationally. The name carries cultural significance in Finnish heritage, often associated with harvest traditions as Perttu's Day was historically when the harvest began. Finnish speakers pronounce it with a rolled 'r' and emphasis on the first syllable (PEHR-too).
  12. Kalani

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian

    • Meaning:

      "the heavens"

    • Description:

      This name is one of the hot new spiritual names for both sexes. In Hawaiian it means "chieftain of the sky" or "spirit of the sky,"and is extremely popular for boys.
  13. Olavi

    • Origin:

      Finnish and Estonian variation of Olaf

    • Meaning:

      "ancestor's relic"

    • Description:

      A variation of Olaf that made the Finnish Top 50 in 2022.
  14. Taneli

    • Origin:

      Finnish from Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "God is my judge"

    • Description:

      Finnish form of Daniel
  15. Heikki

    • Origin:

      Finnish form of Henry; "estate ruler"

    • Meaning:

      "estate ruler"

    • Description:

      This cute Finnish name could make for a fun way to honour a relative named Henry. A notable namesake is racing driver Heikki Kovalainen.
  16. Arto

    • Origin:

      Finnish variation of Arthur, Celtic

    • Meaning:

      "bear"

    • Description:

      Arto is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Finnish, it derives from the name Arthur, meaning "bear" or "stone." It's also used in Armenian communities, where it may be short for Artoush -- another Arthur variation meaning bear -- or Artavazd. In Spanish-speaking contexts, it could relate to "arte" meaning "art."
  17. Artek

    • Description:

      Artek is a masculine name with multiple cultural connections. In Slavic contexts, particularly Polish, it can be a diminutive form of names containing the element 'art' like Artur (Arthur). The name also appears in Turkish language contexts with potential meanings relating to 'pure' or 'clean.' Additionally, 'Artek' was the name of a famous Soviet-era children's camp in Crimea, giving the name cultural associations in Russian-speaking regions. The name's crisp, strong sound with just two syllables makes it distinctive yet accessible across language boundaries. Artek remains uncommon in Western naming practices but offers multicultural appeal with its compact, modern feel coupled with traditional roots in several cultural traditions.
  18. Akseli

    • Origin:

      Finnish variation of Axel, Scandinavian

    • Meaning:

      "father of peace"

    • Description:

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

    • Description:

      Markku is a Finnish masculine name that serves as the Finnish equivalent of Mark or Marcus. These names ultimately derive from the Latin 'Marcus,' which was possibly connected to Mars, the Roman god of war. Markku has been consistently popular in Finland for generations and represents a distinctive example of how classical names have been adapted into Finnish linguistic patterns. The double 'k' is characteristic of Finnish phonology and spelling conventions. While very common in Finland, Markku remains rare outside Nordic countries and Finnish communities abroad. The name has a strong, straightforward quality with its distinct Finnish character. Notable bearers include Finnish athletes and artists, contributing to the name's cultural significance within Finland.

  20. Kalle

    • Description:

      Kalle is a masculine name with Scandinavian origins, particularly popular in Finland and Sweden. It originated as a diminutive form of Karl (or Carl), which derives from the Old Germanic word meaning 'free man' or 'man'. In Nordic countries, Kalle has long been used as an independent given name rather than just a nickname. The name combines historical depth with a friendly, approachable quality. While uncommon in English-speaking countries, its straightforward pronunciation (KAL-eh) and spelling make it accessible. In Sweden, the name has periodically ranked among the top 100 boys' names, appreciated for its traditional Nordic character balanced with a casual, youthful appeal.

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