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Finnish Names for Girls

Nameberry
By Nameberry
Updated Tue Jun 09 2020
Finnish names for girls are light, bright, and beautiful! Vowel-rich versions of international favorites like Eeva, Saara and Noora are joined at the top of Finland's baby name rankings by stunning Finnish girl names inspired by nature, like Nameberry favorites Lilja ("lily") and Lumi ("snow"). If sweet and simple — but virtually undiscovered — girls' names are your style, then a Finnish baby girl name could be the way to go.

Find all of our fabulous Finnish names for girls here. 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. Lumi

    • Origin:

      Finnish

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  2. Juni

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian

    • Meaning:

      "June"

    • Description:

      Juni is the Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, and Finnish form of the month name June. While Juni feels cute and fresh, most Americans would assume it was a nickname or a Joni variation. We prefer Juna or the English June.
  3. Sade

    • Origin:

      Finnish, Nigerian and Yoruba, diminutive of Folashade

    • Meaning:

      "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."
  4. Lilja

    • Origin:

      Icelandic, Faroese, and Finnish variation of Lily; "lily"

    • Meaning:

      "lily"

    • Description:

      Cute and quirky Lily alternative.
  5. Mini

    • Description:

      Mini is a feminine name that functions as both a standalone name and a diminutive nickname for longer names like Minerva, Minnie, Jasmine, or Dominique. Derived from various linguistic roots depending on the culture, it often connotes smallness or daintiness from the English word 'miniature.' The name has a playful, affectionate quality that maintains its charm from childhood through adulthood. While not among the most common given names in any country, Mini has international recognition and cross-cultural appeal. It gained some additional recognition through association with the Mini Cooper car brand and various fictional characters. The name's brevity and friendly sound make it accessible across language barriers.

  6. Aili

    • Origin:

      Finnish and Sami variation of Helga, diminutive of Aileen, Anglicization of Eilidh

    • Meaning:

      "holy, blessed; bright and shining light"

    • Description:

      An attractive Scandinavian take on Helga, or a potential Helen nickname.
  7. Malin

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian diminutive of Magdalene

    • Meaning:

      "high tower or woman of Magdela"

    • Description:

      A multi-cultural name that's in the Norwegian Top 50 and well-used throughout the Scandinavian cultures. Malin has the advantage of being at once simple and unusual.
  8. Ailana

    • Origin:

      Kazakh

    • Meaning:

      "moonlight"

    • Description:

      A pretty Kazakh name derived from Turkish ayla, meaning "moonlight". The Hawaiian name 'Ailana (with the 'okina mark) means "loving".
  9. Rikka

    • Description:

      Rikka is a charming feminine name with Scandinavian and Finnish origins, functioning as a diminutive form of names containing 'rik' meaning 'ruler' or 'powerful.' In Norse traditions, it's connected to names like Fredrikka or Henrikka, while in Finland it stands as an independent given name. The concise two-syllable structure gives it a contemporary feel despite its traditional roots. Rikka has remained relatively uncommon outside Nordic countries, giving it a distinctive quality while still being approachable in pronunciation. The name carries associations of strength and leadership from its etymological meaning while maintaining a soft, feminine sound. Its brevity and ending with 'a' align with modern naming preferences, making it appealing to parents seeking something uncommon yet accessible with meaningful Nordic heritage.
  10. Suvi

    • Origin:

      Finnish

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  11. Ilma

    • Origin:

      Finnish, Hungarian, Spanish, or literary Quenya

    • Meaning:

      "air; starlight"

    • Description:

      A name that's unknown in the US and Britain but is popular as a nature name in Finland. May also be known as a Hungarian variation of Amelia and a Spanish form of Wilhelmina.
  12. Saija

    • Origin:

      Finnish diminutive of Sarah

    • Meaning:

      "princess"

    • Description:

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

    • Description:

      Lilya is a charming feminine name with Slavic and Russian origins, functioning as a diminutive of Liliya, the Russian form of Lily. The name ultimately connects to the lily flower, a symbol of purity, innocence, and beauty across many cultures. Lilya has been used traditionally in Eastern European countries including Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. The name carries a delicate, feminine quality while maintaining a distinctive international character. Though less common in Western countries, it has gained some recognition through cultural exchange and immigration. Lilya offers parents a name that feels both familiar yet unique, with its connection to the popular 'Lily' family while maintaining its own cultural identity.

  14. Sohvi

    • Origin:

      Finnish variation of Sophia, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "wisdom"

    • Description:

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

    • Origin:

      Finnish; Maori

    • Meaning:

      "sea; Mary"

    • Description:

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

    • Origin:

      Finnish; Malagasy

    • Meaning:

      "light; eight"

    • Description:

      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.
  17. Noora

    • Description:

      Noora is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Finnish tradition, it's a variant of Nora or Eleanor, ultimately derived from the Latin 'Honora' meaning 'honor.' In Arabic cultures, Noora (نورة) means 'light' or 'divine light,' making it a name with beautiful significance across different heritages. The name is particularly popular in Finland, Estonia, and various Middle Eastern countries. Noora has a pleasing musical quality with its flowing vowels while remaining short and easy to pronounce across language barriers. The dual cultural significance makes it appealing to multicultural families or those appreciating its international character. Though not widely used in English-speaking countries, Noora offers a distinctive alternative to more common names like Nora or Hannah, with its own rich cultural associations.
  18. Ayn

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "grace"

    • Description:

      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.
  19. Riitta

    • Description:

      Riitta is a feminine Finnish name that serves as the Finnish form of Britta or Bridget. The double 'i' is characteristic of Finnish spelling patterns and is pronounced with a long 'ee' sound (REET-tah). The name ultimately derives from the Irish Bridget, meaning "strength" or "exalted one," which was the name of an Irish goddess and later a popular saint. Riitta has been consistently popular in Finland throughout the 20th century, particularly among women born in the 1940s-1960s. Outside of Finland and Finnish communities, the name remains quite rare. Riitta combines the distinctiveness of Finnish naming traditions with an approachable sound and meaningful heritage.
  20. Mirja

    • Origin:

      Finnish form of Miriam

    • Description:

      If you are looking for an unusual way to honor an ancestral Mary or Miriam, Mirja might make a good choice. Zero baby girls were given this name in the US in 2014. The rising popularity of Anja has schooled English speakers that the j is pronounced like a y.