Finnish Baby Names for Boys

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

The Finnish word for "victory" is a rare name even throughout the Nordic country, but with its on-trend V sound it could make a striking choice.

Kalevi is a variant form of Kaleva, the name of a character from Finnish legend — the ancestor of all Finns. Although both are masculine names, Kalevi may be better suited for non-Finnish boys, since an A ending is often viewed as feminine.

A lively take on Stephen.

In Finnish mythology from the traditional native epic poem Kalevala, Sampsa is a mythical person who sows all the forests of the land. It is also considered a variation of Biblical Sampson, taken from Saint Sampson the Hospitable, a saint of the Eastern Churches who served the poor of his city.

You lose the zippy Z with the Nordic form of Zebulon, but the softer nickname Seb is nice.

Rauno originated in Finland as a variation of Norse names beginning with Ragn-, most notably Ragnar. The name is also heard in neighboring Estonia.

Finnish form of Daniel

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

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

An attractive Finnish name with the potential to cross borders.

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.

A nickname for two Finnish names: Taisto and Istrael, the Finnish form of Israel.

A cool and wearable option for honoring an ancestral Harold.

A creative way to honor a Gregory.

An upbeat and accessible form of Maurice.