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Finnish Names for Boys

Nameberry
By Nameberry
Updated Tue Jun 09 2020
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.
  1. Eero

    • Origin:

      Finnish variation of Eric

    • Meaning:

      "eternal ruler"

    • Description:

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

    • Origin:

      Finnish and Scandinavian variation of Erasmus

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  3. Valo

    • Origin:

      Finnish; Malagasy

    • Meaning:

      "light"

    • Description:

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

    • Origin:

      Finnish diminutive of Aaron

    • Description:

      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.
  5. Aalto

    • Origin:

      Finnish

    • Meaning:

      "wave"

    • Description:

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

    • Origin:

      Finnish

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  7. Vaino

    • Origin:

      Finnish

    • Meaning:

      "wide river, backwater"

    • Description:

      A popular Finnish male name properly spelt Väinö, which derives from Väinämöinen – a hero from Finnish legend. Vaino (without the diacritic marks) is a Finnish word meaning "persecution" and so is not used in Finland as a name in this form.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. Timo

    • Origin:

      Norwegian, Finnish, German, and Dutch variation of Timothy

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  11. Jari

    • Origin:

      Short form of Jalmari, Finnish

    • Meaning:

      "helmet protector"

    • Description:

      Sleek modern short form of a classic Scandinavian name.
  12. Arto

    • Origin:

      Finnish variation of Arthur, Celtic

    • Meaning:

      "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."
  13. Toivo

    • Origin:

      Finnish, Estonian

    • Meaning:

      "hope"

    • Description:

      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.
  14. 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.

  15. Matti

    • Origin:

      Finnish variation of Matthew, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"

    • Description:

      We like Matti in theory, but in practice it’s likely to get confused for the girlish Maddie.
  16. Kalani

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  17. Roope

    • Description:

      Roope is a masculine Finnish name that serves as a variation of Robert or possibly a Finnish form of Robin. With its short, punchy sound and distinctive double 'o,' the name has a modern feel despite its traditional roots. In Finland, Roope has enjoyed moderate popularity, particularly since the late 20th century, and continues to be used regularly for baby boys. The name gained additional recognition through its use for the Finnish version of Scrooge McDuck (Roope Ankka) in Disney comics and media. Outside of Finland, the name remains relatively unknown, giving it an intriguing quality for international audiences. The name's straightforward pronunciation and spelling make it accessible, while its Finnish heritage provides a connection to Nordic naming traditions.

  18. Janne

    • Origin:

      Finnish variation of John

    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"

    • Description:

      This common name in Finland, which is also a diminutive for Jan in Sweden, might feel a bit feminine in the English-speaking world, too close to girls' names Jan and Jane.
  19. Fenno

    • Origin:

      A Finnish tribe and language

    • Description:

      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.
  20. Paavo

    • Origin:

      Finnish variation of Paul

    • Description:

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