Finnish Baby Names

Finnish Baby Names

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.

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Finnish Baby Names for Girls

Finnish Baby Names for Boys

  1. Arttu
    • Origin:

      Finnish, from Celtic
    • Meaning:

      "bear"
    • Description:

      This cute form of Arthur has something distinctly cool about it — from the unique "ooh" ending sound, to the harsher double T in the middle. In Finland, Arttu was a Top 10 name in the 2000s and stayed in the Top 50 until 2013.
  2. Lumi
    • Origin:

      Finnish
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Manu
    • Origin:

      Finnish, Maori, Hawaiian, Sanskrit
    • Meaning:

      "greatest; bird; wise"
    • Description:

      An international name that, although short and simple, sounds strong and distinctive.

  6. 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.
  7. Minna
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Wilhelmina, German
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  8. Anja
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian; Finnish; Slovene; Croatian; Serbian, from Russian
    • Meaning:

      "grace"
    • Description:

      Anja is one of the most international of several versions of Ann/Anna now being imported, also including Anya and Annika.
  9. Anneli
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian variation of Annalie or Hannah
    • Meaning:

      "grace"
    • Description:

      Anneli is one of the hundreds of Anne variations with an intriguing spelling. This name has been popular throughout Scandinavia over time and would certainly translate easily to English-speaking countries.
  10. Ulla
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  11. Via
    • Origin:

      Nickname name
    • Description:

      Could be a short form of Sylvia, Olivia, or any other similar name. Or a vivid Italian word name.
  12. Lavi
    • Origin:

      Hebrew; diminutive of Olavi, Finnish
    • Meaning:

      "lion; ancestor's relic"
    • Description:

      Lavi is a rare member of the trendy leonine group of names in the US, but in Israel it's among the Top 10 boy names. It makes a good alternative to Levi.
  13. Kauri
    • Origin:

      Maori or Finnish
    • Meaning:

      "tree or deer"
    • Description:

      A Maori name derived from a type of tree native to New Zealand's North Island.
  14. Sanna
    • Origin:

      Swedish, Finnish, Inuktitut
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  15. Saija
    • Origin:

      Finnish diminutive of Sarah
    • Meaning:

      "princess"
    • Description:

      This pretty Finnish name is a diminutive of a diminutive, going from Sarah to Sari to Saija.
  16. Ailana
    • Origin:

      Kazakh
    • Meaning:

      "moonlight"
    • Description:

      A pretty Kazakh name derived from Turkish ayla, meaning "moonlight". The Hawaiian name 'Ailana (with the 'okina mark) means "loving".
  17. 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.
  18. Auri
    • Origin:

      Finnish
    • Description:

      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.
  19. Runo
    • Origin:

      Finnish
    • Meaning:

      "poem"
    • Description:

      The pronunciation is not intuitive to English speakers, who aren't used to Os said as As.
  20. Mikko
    • Origin:

      Finnish, from Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "who is like God?"
    • Description:

      Cute Finnish version of Michael.