Finnish Baby Names

This common name in Finland, which is also a diminutive for Jan in Sweden, might feel a bit feminine in the English-speaking world, too close to girls' names Jan and Jane.

A nickname for Jaakko, the Finnish form of Jacob.

Aatos is currently popular among baby boys in Finland.

Tarvo has two potential origin stories. The first is that it derives from the Old Finnish word tarvas, meaning "wild aurochs," a wild species of cattle that is now extinct. The second possible derivation is from the Estonian tarv, meaning "energy."

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.

This elegant Finnish feminization of Wendell is one of those rare names that has never appeared on the US official charts, but is straightforward to spell and say. It has been among the most popular girl names in Finland for at least 15 years, and would be a lovely, unique way to honor Finnish culture.

Aimo was most common in Finland and Scandinavian during the first half of the 20th century.

Teemu ultimately derives from the Greek name Nicodemus via the Icelandic Demus and Finnish Tiemus.

Variation of Gertrude.

Sohvi is the Finnish translation of Sophia, although Sofia ranks as the most popular variation in Finland.

The Estonian writer Mats Tõnisson created Milvi as a nickname for Miranda. It's also connected to the Estonian word miilama, meaning "glow" or "burn slowly".

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

Along with Mika, a nickname for Mikael.

The Finnish word for "mint" is a popular name in Finland, comparable to the Danish Mynte.

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.

A lovely and typical name on the eastern shore of the Gulf of Bothnia that no one in the English-speaking world will know how to pronounce. Maia sounds (virtually) the same and is far more familiar outside Finland and Latvia.

A lively take on Stephen.