Finnish Names for Boys

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.

Really offbeat, upbeat multi-cultural name with light sound and meaning. Valo might make a more unique spin on Milo.

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.

A compact yet impactful name, Taavi is an international variation of the Biblical classic David, notably used in Estonia and Finland. Estonian prime minister Taavi Rõivas was one bearer of the name.

Creative gem perfect for an architect's son, in tribute to modern Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen.

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.

The last name of Finnish moderne designer/architect makes an original, creative choice with an unexpected water-related meaning.

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.

Finnish form of Daniel

This name was on the U.S. Top 1000 in the early 20th century, when recent immigrants frequently chose native names that have since died out for American babies. But if you're of Finnish or Estonian ancestry, you may want to consider reviving this one with a positive meaning.

Rarely heard in the US, but borne by Jorma Taccone an actor featured on the TV series Girls., who was named after the Jefferson Airplane guitarist Jorma Kaukonen. Taccone--who plays Booth Jonathan on the show-- has been quoted as saying, "I grew up in Berkeley and my parents were hippies, obviously, since my name is Jorma.

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.

Though lots of obscure place-names are now on the map, it's hard to imagine this one inspiring anyone.

Kusti is a masculine Finnish name that functions as a diminutive form of Gustav or Kustaa. The name has Scandinavian origins and has been used particularly in Finland and Estonia. Gustav/Kustaa derives from the Old Norse elements 'Gautr' (referring to the Geats, a Norse people) and 'stafr' meaning 'staff,' thus conveying the meaning 'staff of the Geats.' Kusti carries a warm, friendly quality as a nickname while maintaining connections to Nordic heritage. Though not widely used internationally, it remains an authentic Finnish choice that reflects the cultural tradition of creating affectionate shortened forms of traditional names.

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.

This international variation deserves its own listing for a winning combination of distinctiveness and simplicity.

Perttu is a masculine Finnish name derived from the Finnish version of Bartholomew (Perttu or Pertti). Its origins trace back to the Aramaic name Bar-Talmai, meaning 'son of Talmai' or 'son of the furrows.' In Finland, the name is celebrated on Bartholomew's Day (August 24), traditionally marking the end of summer. Perttu has moderate popularity in Finland but remains rare internationally. The name carries cultural significance in Finnish heritage, often associated with harvest traditions as Perttu's Day was historically when the harvest began. Finnish speakers pronounce it with a rolled 'r' and emphasis on the first syllable (PEHR-too).

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.

Kustaa is a Finnish masculine name that serves as the Finnish form of Gustav or Augustus. It derives from the Old Norse elements 'Gautr,' referring to the Geats (an ancient Scandinavian people), and 'stafr' meaning 'staff' or 'support.' The name carries historical significance in Finland, as several Swedish kings named Gustav ruled over Finland during the period of Swedish governance. Most notably, King Gustav II Adolf and Gustav III influenced Finnish history significantly. Kustaa has a strong, distinctive sound characteristic of Finnish names, with their emphasis on vowel sounds. While primarily used in Finland, the name represents Finnish cultural heritage and linguistic traditions. Though less common among younger generations as more international names have gained popularity, Kustaa remains a respected traditional name with deep cultural roots in Finnish history and identity.