Finnish Baby Names for Girls
Updated Wed Jan 31 2024
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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, ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry.
RELATED:
- Lumi
Origin:
FinnishMeaning:
"snow"Description:
Lumi may be a rare girls' name in the USA and England, but it comes in the Top 50 in Finland, where it means snow. Given the popularity of Winter, Holly, Ivy and many other wintery-christmassy names, we think that short and spunky Lumi definitely has potential for greater usage outside its home country as one of the more unusual names for Christmas babies.
- Suvi
Origin:
FinnishMeaning:
"summer"Description:
To the non-Scandinavian ear, a cute and unusual nickname name, used by Finnish supermodel Suvi Koponen. It has a zippy, yet sunny feel to it, and could make an interesting alternative to Susie.
- Ailana
Origin:
KazakhMeaning:
"moonlight"Description:
A pretty Kazakh name derived from Turkish ayla, meaning "moonlight". The Hawaiian name 'Ailana (with the 'okina mark) means "loving".
- Sanna
Origin:
Swedish, Finnish, InuktitutMeaning:
"lily"Description:
If you're ready to move beyond Anna and Hannah, consider this traditional Scandinavian short form of Susanna, historically very popular in its native lands.
- Anja
Origin:
Scandinavian; Finnish; Slovene; Croatian; Serbian, from RussianMeaning:
"grace"Description:
Anja is one of the most international of several versions of Ann/Anna now being imported, also including Anya and Annika.
- Minna
Origin:
Diminutive of Wilhelmina, GermanMeaning:
"resolute protection; love"Description:
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 alternative to Mila, Minnie, or Millie.
- Sade
Origin:
Finnish, Nigerian and Yoruba, diminutive of FolashadeMeaning:
"rain; honor bestows a crown"Description:
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."
- Emmi
Origin:
Diminutive of Emma and EmilyDescription:
With the enormous popularity of Emily and Emma, we're sure to see more of Emmi, Emmie, Emme, and Emmy, whether as short forms or standing on their own.
- Lotta
Origin:
Short form of Charlotta or Carlotta, forms of Charlotte, FrenchMeaning:
"free man"Description:
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?
- Seela
Origin:
Finnish variation of Sela, HebrewMeaning:
"rock"Description:
An intuitive and attractive Finnish choice.
- Meri
Origin:
Finnish; MaoriMeaning:
"sea; Mary"Description:
Upbeat name that cheers you as soon as you hear it. One famous bearer is Maori feminist Meri Te Tai Mangakāhia.
- Iro
Origin:
Greek, Japanese, FinnishMeaning:
"hero; color; peace"Description:
A modern Greek form of the mythological name Hero, or a Japanese name meaning "color." Iro is also a name in Finnish mythology, derived from Irina and Irene. Iro was the mother of the three main gods of Finnish legend.
- Kirsi
Origin:
Hindi, Finnish diminutive of Kirstina and KirstenMeaning:
"amaranth blossoms; Christian, frost"Description:
This attractive multicultural name is found in India and Finland, where it is also a word meaning "frost."
- Lilja
Origin:
Icelandic, Faroese, and Finnish variation of Lily; "lily"Meaning:
"lily"Description:
Cute and quirky Lily alternative.
- Taina
Origin:
Tupi, Finnish variation of Tatiana, RussianMeaning:
"morning star; secret"Description:
A pretty, multicultural choice, Taina has its origins in South America and in Europe. As a Tupi name, Taina (also written as Tainá) means "morning star" and has been a popular choice in Brazil since the 80s and 90s. As a Finnish name, it is a form of the Russian Tatiana, meaning "secret".
- Lumia
Origin:
Finnish, ItalianMeaning:
"snow; citron"Description:
Although Lumi (Finnish for "snow") is far more popular, the elaboration Lumia is used in Finland as well. It's also a technical word in English for patterns of light used as an art form, and in Italian it refers to the citron fruit and tree – a pear-shaped citrus fruit also known as a sweet lemon. Nokia chose the name for a brand of smartphone, now discontinued.
- Anneli
Origin:
Scandinavian variation of Annalie or HannahMeaning:
"grace"Description:
Anneli is one of the hundreds of Anne variations with an intriguing spelling. This name has been popular throughout Scandinavia over time and would certainly translate easily to English-speaking countries.
- Taika
Origin:
FinnishMeaning:
"magic"Description:
A rare Finnish name with ties to sorcery and witchcraft.
- Nea
Description:
Nea is a concise feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Finnish, it means 'the one who is irritated,' while in ancient Greek contexts, it relates to concepts of youth or newness, meaning 'new' or 'young.' The name also appears in Swahili where it means 'to speak,' and has connections to Greek mythology as one of Zeus's lovers. Nea's brevity gives it a modern feel despite its ancient roots, making it appealing to contemporary parents seeking short, distinctive names. While never widely common in English-speaking countries, Nea has maintained steady usage in Nordic countries, particularly Finland. Its simplicity, cross-cultural presence, and easy pronunciation contribute to its subtle charm.
- Helmi
Origin:
FinnishMeaning:
"pearl"Description:
A punchy alternative to Pearl as it gains popularity, it may also be used as a short form of Vilhelmina or Wilhelmina.