Girl Names Lists · International Baby Names
Finnish Baby Names for Girls
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About this list
To the American ear, Finnish baby names sound much quirkier than the Scandinavian baby names of Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. While there is a lot of crossover between Finnish and Scandinavian names, many Finnish names are closely related to Baltic names, particularly those from Estonia.
The most popular Finnish names for girls in Finland include Eevi, Venla, Aino, Aada, and Helmi. You may be familiar with Finnish girl names such as Lotta, Hanna, Anneli, Ulla, Minna, and Lumi, which is a rising name in the US and popular on Nameberry.
Rarer Finnish names for girls that deserve your attention include Auri, Suvi, Ailana, Elvi, Ilta, and Kesia. Here are some of the most accessible baby names to the English speaker.
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The names
Hanna
Spelling variation of Hannah
This simplified version is not nearly as popular as the original (it also destroys a perfectly good palindrome), and has been on the decline in recent years.
Lotta
Short form of Charlotta or Carlotta, forms of Charlotte, French
"free man"
This nickname-name is very popular in Germany, though Lottie is still the preferred version in the US. The problem, of course, is that you'll have to put up with a lotta jokes. See?
Sade
Finnish, Nigerian and Yoruba, diminutive of Folashade
"rain; honor bestows a crown"
The one-named singer clarified the confusing pronunciation on this one (in her case, it's shah-DAY), but a number of parents have looked for more phonetic spellings. The Finnish version means "rain."
Hilma
German
"protective helmet"
Hilma is heard in Germany and the Scandinavian countries, and sometimes used as a shortening of Wilhelmina--though there are more appealing German names for girls . to be found. Hilma Wolitzer is an…
Minna
Diminutive of Wilhelmina, German
"resolute protection; love"
One of those pan-European nickname names much more familiar in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe than in the US, though related name Mina is making a comeback here. Light and bright, it could be an…
Aili
Finnish and Sami variation of Helga, diminutive of Aileen, Anglicization of Eilidh
"holy, blessed; bright and shining light"
An attractive Scandinavian take on Helga, or a potential Helen nickname.
Anja
Scandinavian; Finnish; Slovene; Croatian; Serbian, from Russian
"grace"
Anja is one of the most international of several versions of Ann/Anna now being imported, also including Anya and Annika. Anja is heard in several European cultures, including Germany, the…
Airi
Japanese, Finnish
"lover of jasmine; lover of pears; messenger, herald"
A multicultural choice with an airy feel, Airi is a Japanese name celebrating pears or jasmine and a Finnish name meaning "messenger", from the word airut . In Japanese, it is pronounced with three…
Ailana
Kazakh
"moonlight"
A pretty Kazakh name derived from Turkish ayla , meaning "moonlight". The Hawaiian name 'Ailana (with the 'okina mark) means "loving".
Auri
Finnish
An airy variant of the Finnish name Aura, which derives either from the Greek "aura" (breath; breeze) or from Old Norse "aurr" (earth; clay). It is also sometimes encountered as a short form of…
Eeva
Eeva is a feminine name that is the Finnish and Estonian form of Eve. The name traces back to the Hebrew "Chavah" meaning "living one" or "source of life," and is associated with the first woman in…
Elli
German, Finnish diminutive of Elizabeth, Hebrew
"pledged to God"
In Germany and Finland, a common short form of names beginning with El-, including Elizabeth, Elina, and Elisa. About 70 baby girls were named Elli in the US last year versus 6000 named Ellie -- and…
Elsu
Finnish diminutive of Elsa, German
"pledged to God"
In Finland, many pet forms of names end in U, such as Elsu, a nickname for Elsa.
Elvi
Diminutive of Elviira, Finnish from Spanish
"white; fair"
Elvi is one of those elusive names that fit in yet stand out. It's similar to currently trendy girl names such as Ellie and Evie but maintains distinction.
Arja
Variation of Irja, Finnish
"peace"
Not to be confused with the Aria/Arya name family, Arja is a variation of Irja, which ultimately is derived from Irene.
Aino
Finnish
"the only one"
What a lovely name for the much-longed for daughter - no wonder Aino is in the Top 5 in Finland, whence the name originates. Like other popular Finnish names, Aino is short and avoids the ubiquitous…
Essi
Finnish diminutive of Esteri, Elisabet
"star; pledged to God"
A Finnish nickname for names such as Esteri, Elisabet, or any name starting with Es-.
Eerika
Finnish, from Norse
"eternal ruler"
The Finnish variant of Erica that is based on the male form, Eerik.
Esteri
Finnish variation of Esther, Persian
"star"
A vintage Finnish name most common in the early 20th century.
Ansa
Finnish
"trap"
An attractive and easily translatable Finnish name.
