Finnish Baby Names
Updated Thu Aug 22 2024
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Finnish names may look simple, but those double vowels are undeniably exotic to native English speakers. The relative unconventionality of Finnish names may explain why they are rarer in the US than those from other Nordic countries, such as Sweden and Norway.
The most popular Finnish baby names in Finland include Eevi, Venla, Aino, Aada, and Helmi for girls, and Eeli, Eino, Vaino, Onni, and Leevi for boys. Among the most wearable Finnish names on a non-Finnish baby are Ailana, Hilma, Lumi, and Minna for girls, and Arvo, Harto, Rami, and Risto for boys.
Finnish baby names are extremely uncommon in the US, so if you’re hunting for a unique name for your child, this is an ideal place to look. Here are some prime Finnish baby name examples, ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry.
RELATED:
- Lumi
Origin:
FinnishMeaning:
"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.
- Runo
Origin:
FinnishMeaning:
"poem"Description:
An appealing Finnish name, with a touch of literary magic and whimsy, Runo means "poem" in its native language. Traditionally said with a slightly rolled R and a softer 'oh' sound at the end (more like in on that in open), it comes from the Proto-Norse and Proto-Germanic, where it means "secret, literature, letter", in turn relating it to rune.
- Manu
Origin:
Finnish, Maori, Hawaiian, SanskritMeaning:
"greatest; bird; wise"Description:
An international name that, although short and simple, sounds strong and distinctive.
- Rami
Origin:
Finnish, Arabic, Sanskrit "wise protector; father of multitudes; archer; pleasing"Meaning:
"wise protector; father of multitudes; archer; pleasing"Description:
Rami has gained notoriety in the English-speaking world as the first name of the Oscar-nominated actor Rami Malek, whose parents immigrated to the US from Egypt. Rami also feels more approachable thanks to the stylish Remi, Romy, and Rumi. The only challenge is keeping the pronunciation on track.
- 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.
- 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.
- Anja
Origin:
Scandinavian; Finnish; Slovene; Croatian; Serbian, from RussianMeaning:
"grace"Description:
Anja is one of the most international of several versions of Ann/Anna now being imported, also including Anya and Annika.
- Lotta
Origin:
Short form of Charlotta or Carlotta, forms of Charlotte, FrenchMeaning:
"free man"Description:
This nickname-name is very popular in Germany, though Lottie is still the preferred version in the US. The problem, of course, is that you'll have to put up with a lotta jokes. See?
- 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.
- Kirsi
Origin:
Hindi, Finnish diminutive of Kirstina and KirstenMeaning:
"amaranth blossoms; Christian, frost"Description:
This attractive multicultural name is found in India and Finland, where it is also a word meaning "frost."
- Kauri
Origin:
Maori or FinnishMeaning:
"tree or deer"Description:
A Maori name derived from a type of tree native to New Zealand's North Island.
- Aki
Origin:
Japanese; FinnishMeaning:
"born in the autumn; ancestor"Description:
A name known in several cultures, also through animated book character Tiger Aki. Finnish author Aki Ollikainen is another notable bearer.
- Minna
Origin:
Diminutive of Wilhelmina, GermanMeaning:
"resolute protection; love"Description:
One of those pan-European nickname names much more familiar in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe than in the US, though related name Mina is making a comeback here. Light and bright, it could be an alternative to Mila, Minnie, or Millie.
- Sanna
Origin:
Swedish, Finnish, InuktitutMeaning:
"lily"Description:
If you're ready to move beyond Anna and Hannah, consider this traditional Scandinavian short form of Susanna, historically very popular in its native lands.
- Ulla
Origin:
ScandinavianMeaning:
"will, determination"Description:
Ulla, the beautiful Swedish secretary in The Producers (played by Uma Thurman in the movie) who purrs, "Ven you got it, flaunt it," has changed the image of this name forever. Ulla may stand on its own or be an abbreviation of Ursula or Ulrika; Ula may be seen as another spelling.
- Helmi
Origin:
FinnishMeaning:
"pearl"Description:
A punchy alternative to Pearl as it gains popularity, it may also be used as a short form of Vilhelmina or Wilhelmina.
- Auri
Origin:
FinnishDescription:
An airy variant of the Finnish name Aura, which derives either from the Greek "aura" (breath; breeze) or from Old Norse "aurr" (earth; clay). It is also sometimes encountered as a short form of Aurora or Aurelia.
- Tuuli
Origin:
FinnishMeaning:
"wind"Description:
A sweet and intuitive Finnish word name. The double U's up the quirkiness, for English speakers at least. Also used in Estonia, notable bearers include actress Tuuli Narkle, cartoonist Tuuli Hypén, singer Tuuli Rand, and footballer Tuuli Tasa.
- Vilja
Origin:
Finnish, Swedish, SlavicMeaning:
"grain, will, fairy"Description:
A name made most famous by the operetta The Merry Widow which features "The Vilja's Song". A vila is a woodland spirit or fairy in Slavic mythology. Vilja also means "grain" in Finnish and "will, intent" in Swedish, and is very popular as a girls' name in Scandinavia, ranking in the Top 100 in both Finland and Norway.
- 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.
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