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Finnish boy names

Vilja
By Vilja
Updated Mon May 22 2023
These are some of my personal favourite Finnish boy names. Some names might have different origins but I have heard all of these being used in Finland
  1. Linus

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "flax"

    • Description:

      Can Linus lose its metaphorical security blanket and move from the Peanuts page onto the birth certificate? We think it has enough charm and other positive elements going for it for the answer to be yes.
  2. 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.
  3. Luka

    • Origin:

      Russian; Serbian; Croatian; Slovene

    • Meaning:

      "man from Lucania"

    • Description:

      Luka is one of the coolest names in recent years, following suit of its cousin Luca which is now a Top 50 name. Luka is on its way up the charts and may crack the Top 100 in the very near future. Luka has a lot going for it — it is following the tails of Lucas and Luke which have been enjoying significant popularity for years. It also boasts the very current "-ah" ending sound that feels fresher than ever for boy names, from Noah to Ezra to Judah. The "k" in the middle gives an extra edge as well. This spelling is the traditional form of Luke in various Eastern European countries.
  4. Matias

    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of Matthias

    • Description:

      The single T version of Matias is, like Mateo, the Spanish variation of the Hebrew Biblical Matthias or Matthew, while the double T version as in Mattias and Matteo is usually Italian.
  5. Ossian

    • Origin:

      Old Irish

    • Meaning:

      "little deer"

    • Description:

      Ossian, or Osian, from the Old Irish name Oisin, was the son of Finn in Irish legend that was transformed into a Scottish hero in the Ossianic poems of James Macpherson in the eighteenth century--which also popularlized Oscar, Fingal, Selma and Malvina.
  6. Simeon

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "he [God] has heard"

    • Description:

      Could Simeon be the next Gideon? Parents seeking a less simple form of Simon might consider this biblical appellation that was chosen by Wynton Marsalis for his son. Simon is actually the Greek substitute for Simeon.
  7. Johannes

    • Origin:

      German, Dutch, Scandinavian, and Estonian variation of John

    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"

    • Description:

      An Old World name that might have a chance to rise again with other ancient and worldly forms. Be sure to say yo-HAHN-es.
  8. 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.
  9. Einar

    • Origin:

      Old Norse

    • Meaning:

      "bold warrior"

    • Description:

      With Norse (and pseudo-Norse) names such as Thor, Odin and Magnus growing in popularity, this one, which refers to warriors destined for Valhalla on account of their bravery, might have some appeal outside Scandinavia. Its slightly Eeyore-ish sound is balanced out by connections to some major historical figures, including a Norwegian prime minister.
  10. Taavi

    • Origin:

      Estonian and Finnish form of David, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "beloved"

    • Description:

      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.
  11. Ukko

    • Origin:

      Finnish

    • Meaning:

      "old man"

    • Description:

      In Finnish mythology, Ukko is the primary deity — the god of thunder and the sky.
  12. Aaro

    • Origin:

      Finnish variation of Aaron, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "high mountain; exalted, enlightened"

    • Description:

      Classic Finnish name also found in neighboring Estonia.
  13. Henri

    • Origin:

      French and Finnish variation of Henry, German

    • Meaning:

      "estate ruler"

    • Description:

      The chic Euro spelling of Henry is rising along with the original form.
  14. Leevi

    • Description:

      Leevi is a masculine Finnish name, considered the Finnish variant of Levi. The name has Hebrew origins, meaning 'joined' or 'attached.' In the Bible, Levi was the third son of Jacob and Leah, and the ancestor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Leevi has been consistently popular in Finland for decades, often ranking in the top 30 boys' names. The double 'e' spelling reflects Finnish phonetic traditions and gives the name its distinctive Nordic character. Outside Finland, the name is gaining modest international recognition though it remains relatively uncommon in non-Finnish communities. The name combines traditional biblical roots with a modern Scandinavian sound.

  15. Lasse

    • Origin:

      Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, and Finnish form of Laurence, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "from Laurentum; bay laurel"

    • Description:

      Well used throughout The Netherlands, Germany, Norway, and Denmark, Lasse is a variation of Laurence, typically used as a nickname for the related Lars. While English speakers may be tempted to say "lass" or "lassie", the correct pronunciation would LA-suh in Denmark, LAHS-seh in Norway and Finland, and LA-seh in Sweden and Germany.
  16. Okko

    • Description:

      Okko is a Finnish masculine name with roots in ancient Germanic languages. It's thought to be a variant of the name Otto, which means 'wealth' or 'prosperity.' In Finnish culture, Okko carries connotations of strength and resilience. While not widely used internationally, it maintains steady popularity in Finland and other Scandinavian countries. The name has a distinctive sound with its double 'k' consonant, making it memorable yet easy to pronounce across many languages. In recent years, Okko has seen modest growth in usage beyond Scandinavia, appreciated for its brief, powerful phonetics and unique character.

  17. Esaias

    • Description:

      Esaias is a masculine name of ancient origin, representing the Greek form of Isaiah (Hebrew Yesha'yahu), meaning 'God is salvation' or 'Yahweh is salvation.' This classical variation was used in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible. While less common than Isaiah in English-speaking countries, Esaias maintains popularity in certain European regions, particularly in Greece and among communities with strong Orthodox Christian traditions. The name carries the gravitas of its biblical connection—Isaiah being one of the major prophets in the Old Testament—while offering a distinctive alternative to more common biblical names. Its elegant pronunciation and meaningful heritage continue to attract parents seeking a name with historical depth.
  18. 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.
  19. Aatu

    • Origin:

      Finnish form of Adolph, German

    • Meaning:

      "noble wolf"

    • Description:

      Adolph is of course a name that is shunned by most people around the world, but Aatu is a form that feels far enough away from the original to be usable.
  20. Reko

    • Origin:

      Finnish diminutive of Greger, Swedish

    • Meaning:

      "vigilant, a watchman"

    • Description:

      Reko is a Finnish nickname for the Swedish name Greger, which shares roots with Gregory. Reijo is another form seen in Nordic countries.