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.
- 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."
- 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.
- Hanna
Origin:
Spelling variation of HannahDescription:
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Ulla
Origin:
ScandinavianMeaning:
"will, determination"Description:
Ulla, the beautiful Swedish secretary in The Producers (played by Uma Thurman in the movie) who purrs, "Ven you got it, flaunt it," has changed the image of this name forever. Ulla may stand on its own or be an abbreviation of Ursula or Ulrika; Ula may be seen as another spelling.
- 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.
- Maire
Origin:
Finnish, Irish variation of MaryMeaning:
"sweet; drop of the sea, bitter"Description:
Both Maire and Mare have begun making inroads with parents seeking novel yet authentic ways of honoring an ancestral Mary. The Finnish variation derives from the word mairea, meaning "sweet."
- 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.
- Aija
Description:
Aija is a feminine name found in several cultures, particularly in Latvia where it's quite popular. In Latvian, the name is thought to derive from words meaning 'breath' or 'breeze,' conveying delicacy and vitality. In Japanese contexts, it can mean 'love Asia' depending on the kanji used. The name is appreciated for its brevity and melodious quality, with the flowing 'ai' sound followed by the soft 'ja.' Despite its simplicity, Aija carries a distinctive character that sets it apart from more common names. Its international presence yet relative rarity in English-speaking countries makes it appealing to parents seeking a name that's both accessible in pronunciation and uniquely memorable.
- Sanni
Origin:
Finnish variation of Sanna, ScandinavianMeaning:
"lily"Description:
Sanni derives from Sanna, a variation of Susanna used in Scandinavia.
- 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.
- 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.
- Euli
Origin:
Diminutive of Eulaalia, Finnish from GreekMeaning:
"sweetly speaking"Description:
Euli is a nickname for Eulaalia, the Finnish variation of the Greek name Eulalia.
- Evena
Origin:
Finnish feminization of Even, NorwegianMeaning:
"gift; winner"Description:
A rare feminine form of Even, a common Norwegian boy name.
- Kielo
Origin:
FinnishMeaning:
"lily of the valley"Description:
A Finnish word name for the lily of the valley flower.
- Hanni
Origin:
Finnish diminutive of Hanna and JohannaMeaning:
"grace; God is gracious"Description:
A cute and easily accessible Finnish nickname, although not one that is likely to become popular in America now that Hannah and co are on the decline.
- Venla
Origin:
FinnishMeaning:
"to travel, to proceed"Description:
This elegant Finnish feminization of Wendell is one of those rare names that has never appeared on the US official charts, but is straightforward to spell and say. It has been among the most popular girl names in Finland for at least 15 years, and would be a lovely, unique way to honor Finnish culture.
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