Finnish Names for Boys
By Nameberry
Updated Tue Jun 09 2020
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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.
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.
- Rasmus
Origin:
Finnish and Scandinavian variation of ErasmusMeaning:
"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.
- Eero
Origin:
Finnish variation of EricMeaning:
"eternal ruler"Description:
Creative gem perfect for an architect's son, in tribute to modern Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen.
- Valo
Origin:
Finnish; MalagasyMeaning:
"light"Description:
Really offbeat, upbeat multi-cultural name with light sound and meaning. Valo might make a more unique spin on Milo.
- 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.
- Arto
Origin:
Finnish variation of Arthur, CelticMeaning:
"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."
- Taavi
Description:
Taavi is a Finnish and Estonian form of David, a name with Hebrew origins meaning 'beloved.' Compact yet substantial, Taavi carries the strength and significance of its biblical predecessor while offering a distinctively Nordic flavor. In Finland, where it originated, Taavi has maintained consistent popularity as a traditional yet not overly common choice. The name has a pleasing symmetry with its alternating vowels and consonants, making it both simple to pronounce and memorable. Taavi represents a perfect option for parents seeking a name with ancient roots and religious significance but with a fresh, international feel relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries.
- Fenno
Origin:
A Finnish tribe and languageDescription:
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.
- Onni
Origin:
FinnishMeaning:
"happiness, luck"Description:
Onni is the Number 1 boy's name in Finland yet largely unknown in the English-speaking world. Its uplifting meaning makes it a plausible possibility if you want to honor your Nordic heritage.
- Aro
Origin:
Finnish diminutive of AaronDescription:
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.
- 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.
- Timo
Origin:
Norwegian, Finnish, German, and Dutch variation of TimothyMeaning:
"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.
- Erkki
Description:
Erkki is a Finnish masculine name that serves as the Finnish equivalent of Eric or Erik. Deriving from the Old Norse name Eiríkr, Erkki ultimately means "eternal ruler" or "ever powerful," combining the elements "ei" (ever, always) and "ríkr" (ruler, king). The name has been consistently popular in Finland for generations, representing a cornerstone of traditional Finnish naming practices. Erkki carries strong associations with Finnish national identity and cultural heritage. The double 'k' consonant sound is characteristic of Finnish phonology, giving the name its distinctive pronunciation. While primarily used in Finland and among Finnish diaspora communities, Erkki's straightforward pronunciation makes it accessible to speakers of other languages, though it remains strongly associated with Finnish culture.
- Kalani
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"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.
- Aalto
Origin:
FinnishMeaning:
"wave"Description:
The last name of Finnish moderne designer/architect makes an original, creative choice with an unexpected water-related meaning.
- 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.
- Paavo
Origin:
Finnish variation of PaulDescription:
This international variation deserves its own listing for a winning combination of distinctiveness and simplicity.
- Pentti
Origin:
Finnish variation of Benedict, LatinMeaning:
"blessed"Description:
A quirky international translation of Benedict.
- Jari
Origin:
Short form of Jalmari, FinnishMeaning:
"helmet protector"Description:
Sleek modern short form of a classic Scandinavian name.
- Severi
Origin:
Finnish variation of Severin, FrenchMeaning:
"stern, serious"Description:
Makes Severin and Severus a little less, well, severe.
- Aatu
Origin:
Finnish form of Adolph, GermanMeaning:
"noble wolf"Description:
Adolph is of course a name that is shunned by most people around the world, but Aatu is a form that feels far enough away from the original to be usable.