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Finnish Names for Boys

  1. Taneli

    • Origin:

      Finnish from Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "God is my judge"

    • Description:

      Finnish form of Daniel
  2. Jorma

    • Origin:

      Finnish, variation of Jeremiah

    • Description:

      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.
  3. 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.
  4. Kaarlo

    • Description:

      Kaarlo is a Finnish masculine name, essentially the Finnish variation of the name Charles or Karl. It derives from the Germanic name Karl, meaning 'free man' or 'man', and was popularized throughout Europe during the medieval period through figures like Charlemagne (Charles the Great). In Finland, Kaarlo has been a traditional name for centuries, with periods of significant popularity particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Notable bearers include Kaarlo Juho Ståhlberg, the first president of independent Finland. The name carries connotations of strength, independence, and Nordic heritage. While primarily used in Finland, its straightforward pronunciation makes it accessible to non-Finnish speakers, though it remains a distinctive choice outside of Scandinavian countries.
  5. 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.
  6. Heikki

    • Origin:

      Finnish form of Henry; "estate ruler"

    • Meaning:

      "estate ruler"

    • Description:

      This cute Finnish name could make for a fun way to honour a relative named Henry. A notable namesake is racing driver Heikki Kovalainen.
  7. 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.
  8. Paavo

    • Origin:

      Finnish variation of Paul

    • Description:

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

    • Origin:

      Finnish variation of Edward

    • Description:

      Eetu is a perennial favorite in Finland, but is rarely if ever used in the States - probably because of the unfamiliar (to most people) spelling and pronunciation.
  10. Reima

    • Description:

      Reima is a Finnish masculine name with roots in Germanic languages. It's possibly derived from elements meaning 'council' or 'protection.' While relatively uncommon outside of Finland, Reima carries a strong, straightforward sound that reflects Nordic naming traditions. The name has moderate usage in Finland but remains rare internationally. Reima may also be connected to the Finnish company of the same name, which manufactures children's clothing and outdoor wear. The name conveys qualities of dependability and practicality, characteristic of Finnish masculine names that often connect to nature or traditional values.
  11. Reku

    • Description:

      Reku is an extremely rare masculine name with possible origins in Japanese or Finnish cultures, though it may also be a modern invented name. In Japanese, depending on the kanji used, it could have various meanings. In Finnish contexts, it might be related to 'rekka' meaning 'truck' or 'lorry.' The name's brevity and distinctive sound pattern make it memorable, with a modern, international feel. The combination of the strong 'r' beginning and the ending 'u' sound creates a balanced name that's both substantial and fluid. As an uncommon name, Reku offers individuality while being relatively easy to pronounce across different languages, making it a potential choice for parents seeking a truly distinctive global name.

  12. Viljo

    • Origin:

      Finnish variation of William

    • Description:

      Inventive nickname option, but with built-in pronunciation problems.
  13. Raimo

    • Description:

      Raimo is a masculine Finnish name derived from the Germanic element 'ragin' meaning 'counsel' or 'decision.' It's essentially the Finnish form of Raymond, which combines 'ragin' with 'mund' meaning 'protector.' Popular in Finland and other Nordic countries, Raimo has been a traditional choice for Finnish boys for generations. Outside Scandinavia, the name remains relatively uncommon, giving it an exotic yet accessible quality for international use. Its straightforward pronunciation and spelling make it practical across cultures despite its distinctive character. The name projects strength and wisdom, consistent with its etymological roots, while its compact two-syllable structure gives it a modern, efficient feel.
  14. Aatami

    • Description:

      Aatami is the Finnish variation of Adam, one of the oldest known male names in human history. Adam comes from Hebrew origins, meaning 'man' or 'earth,' reflecting the biblical account of the first man being formed from the ground. The distinctive double 'a' beginning is characteristic of Finnish orthography and pronunciation. In Finland, Aatami has maintained a consistent presence, though it's considered traditional rather than trendy. The name connects Finnish cultural identity with ancient biblical heritage. Outside of Finland, Aatami remains quite rare, instantly signaling Finnish roots when encountered internationally. The name carries the gravitas of its biblical associations while offering a unique cultural twist that distinguishes it from the more universal Adam. Its pronunciation (AH-tah-mi) has a rhythmic, open quality typical of Finnish names.

  15. Kusti

    • Description:

      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.
  16. Olavi

    • Origin:

      Finnish and Estonian variation of Olaf

    • Meaning:

      "ancestor's relic"

    • Description:

      A variation of Olaf that made the Finnish Top 50 in 2022.
  17. Perttu

    • Description:

      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).
  18. Severi

    • Origin:

      Finnish variation of Severin, French

    • Meaning:

      "stern, serious"

    • Description:

      Makes Severin and Severus a little less, well, severe.
  19. Helsinki

    • Origin:

      Finnish place-name

    • Description:

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

    • Description:

      Kaarle is a Finnish variation of the name Charles, which has Germanic origins meaning 'free man' or 'manly'. This traditional Finnish form maintains the strong character of its root name while incorporating Finnish phonetic patterns. Though relatively uncommon outside Finland, Kaarle has a dignified presence in Finnish culture and history, notably as the name of several significant historical figures including Kaarle Akseli Gottlund, a Finnish nationalist. The name combines strength and Nordic heritage, making it a distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with historical depth and cultural specificity. In Finland, Kaarle maintains steady but modest usage.