We're big fans of Finland, the magical home of Santa Claus, snowy landscapes, cosy saunas and, of course, Moomins.
But did you know that this country is also a great source of inspiration for baby names? We're guessing that when you're seeking a name for your newborn baby girl or boy, Finland might not be top of your list.
But hold your horses, because actually this chilly Northern European country (which isn't officially part of Scandinavia but is classed as Nordic) is a source of some totally brilliant names. In fact, we're betting that you already know a fair few names that are popular with Finns. Familiar names such as Olivia, Anna and Emilia all regularly make their mark in Finland, but you might not know Finnish classics such as Onni, Elsea or Annu.
Whether you want to find a great Finnish first name, some unique Nordic girls names with meanings, or some chic Norse boy names, one of these might suit. So take a peek at our brilliant list of family-friendly Finnish first names, and their meanings, and see if you can find one that ticks the boxes for you. The only problem you'll have is working out which Finnish names that you love the best. The search ends here; trip to Lapland optional...
Pentti, Meaning: blessed Origin: Finnish variation of Benedict, Latin ~ View Detail
Tahti: This means 'star' in Finnish, and makes a great unisex name, with a dose of nature thrown in.
Ansa: This timeless Finnish name for little girls means 'virtue'.
Janne, Meaning: God is gracious Origin: Danish and Norwegian diminutive of Johanna ~ View Detail
Aada:This super-popular Finnish name is similar to the popular English name Ada, and means ‘noble type’.
Kaarina:The Finnish form of the name Katherine, which means 'pure'.
Kalle, Origin: Scandinavian
Maria:This familiar girl name is extremely popular with Finnish families and another one that means 'berry'.
Lenni:This means 'brave lion', and can be used for boys or girls, so it sounds super-modern right now.
Saara,
Miika: This Finnish name is also derived from Hebrew, and it means 'who is like God'
Janne: The Swedish and Finnish form of John, it means 'God is merciful'.
Helka:This Nordic name derives from the old Norse word 'helgi' and means 'blessed' or 'holy'. If you're after something strong and Finnish-sounding for a baby girl, it's perfect.
Lumi: This lovely name is from the Finnish name for 'snow'. What could be more appropriate in a country where the temperature often dips to -30° in the Northern regions?
Toivo:One of the Finnish boy names we particularly love, in English this translates as ‘hope’.
Nea: One of those Finnish names you may well already know, this means 'flower'.
Eero:If you're after typically Finnish male names, try this gem, which means 'eternal ruler'. Famous examples include the Finnish designer Eero Saarinen, who created the Tulip table.
Jari: This popular Finnish boy baby first name translates as 'God will raise up'.
Katja: The Finnish version of Katya, this sweet name translates as 'pure'.
Tyyne: This means 'calm or serene'.
Taavetti: The Finnish version of the name David, it means 'beloved'.
Runo: This beautiful, unusual name's origin is from the Finnish word for 'poem'; ideal whether you live in Finland or not.
Aepeli:The Finnish version of Abel, this name means 'breath'.
Hulta: This old Norse name means 'devoted' and 'gracious'
Aki: This means 'born in Autumn, crystal or bright'.
Kuu: This translates as 'moon', and is great if you loved nature-inspired names.
Pilvi: This lovely Finnish name has its origin in the word for 'cloud'.
Satu:This gorgeous Finnish girl name means 'fairy tale'.
Ruusu: The Finnish form of 'Ros', this, as you might guess, has its origin in the word for 'rose'.
Pertti,
Toni: This can be used for girls or boys by Finns. It's short for Anthony, which means 'praiseworthy'.
Sade:This lovely Finnish name means 'ray of light'.
Veikko: This means ‘brother’, and is apparently making a comeback as a boy name in Finland.
Piritta, Meaning: strength; exalted one Origin: Finnish variation of Birgitta
Salli, Origin: Norse
Kenai:This strong Finnish boy's name means 'flatlands'.
Fredrica: This name means 'peaceful ruler.' Its origin is from Germany, but this is the Finnish version.
Aurinko: This means 'sun', making it ideal for parents looking for something inspired by the natural world.
Esa: The Finnish version of Isaiah, this name means ‘God is my salvation’.
Eevi: Eve and Evie have been taking off as popular names in the UK for some time, but if you're after a Finnish spin, try this variant. The name comes from the Latin word for 'living'
Anu: The Finnish version of Anna, but it can be used for any gender. It means ‘heavenly one’.
Jere: The Finnish form of 'Jeremiah', this strong name means 'exalted of the Lord'.
Noora:This name is very popular in Finland, and it means 'light. In England, we tend to spell it Nora, but the extra 'o' gives it a definite Finnish feel.
Rieti, Origin: Finnish
Kaija: Another Finnish spin on the name Katherine
Lotta: This popular Scandinavian girl name translates as 'free' - a lovely Finnish twist on the more usual Lottie.
Leah:This Hebrew name meaning 'wild cow' is popular as a Finnish girl name in the land of the midnight sun.
Perttu, Origin: Finnish
Reeta: This is the Finnish form of 'Margaret', and its origin is from the words that mean 'pearl' or 'cluster of blossoms'.
Arja:This means 'divine', and can be used for boys or for girls.
Aimo:This Finnish name means 'proper' or 'thorough'.
Aatu, Origin: Finnish
Rikka, Origin: Japanese
Mirjam, Origin: Hebrew
Saira: This is a Finnish twist on the girl name Sarah, and it means 'bird of love'.
Kalle:The Finnish version of the name Karl, it means 'strong'.
Santeri: A Finnish spin on 'Alexander'. It means 'defender of man'.
Tove:We love this typically Finnish name – in fact, the author of the Moomins series of books was called Tove Jansson, and these little trolls are our favourite Finnish creation ever.
Eino: The Finnish form of Henry, this is another name that means 'ruler'
Lilja: This Swedish and Finnish name means lily in both Swedish and French. It's also one of the Finnish surnames you might encounter, too.
Jora: This means 'Autumn rain' or 'bear'; one of those great names that can be used for any gender.
Joona: The Finnish version of the name Jonah, which means 'dove' or 'pigeon'.
Antti: This popular Finnish boy name is a version of the Greek name Andreas, which means 'manly'.
Sofia:Strictly speaking this isn't a Finnish name either. But we're including it here on our list, as it is extremely popular with Finns and their family. In fact, in 2019 it was the third most popular girls' name, after Olivia and Elea.
Tapio: This Finnish male name means 'leader of the wood or forest', and is a great choice for nature lovers.
Pirjo, Meaning: strength; exalted one Origin: Diminutive of Piritta, Finnish
Emilia: The Finnish feminine version of Emil, once more this name means 'to excel'.
Mari: This Scandinavian name means 'berry', and is a Finnish form of Mary.
Lauri, Origin: Estonian
Minna: This Finnish moniker means 'courtly love'.
Onni: This popular Finnish boys' name means 'happiness' or 'luck' - a great uplifting name for troubled times.
Marja: This is yet another Finnish and Swedish form of Mary, which means 'berry'.
Lykke: This cute Finnish/Scandi name means 'happiness' - you say it so it sounds like 'licky'.
Roope, Origin: Finnish
Pirkko, Meaning: strength; exalted one Origin: Diminutive of Piritta, Finnish
Pauliina, Origin: Finnish
Reima, Origin: Finnish
Helmi: If you're on the search for a gorgeous Nordic girl baby name, this Finnish name could be perfect. It comes from the words for 'pearl or bead', and its origin is the word for 'amber'. It's also the Finnish version of Wilhelmina.
Leea, Origin: Hebrew
Eveliina: This pretty Finnish name means 'life.'
Milla: This Finnish girl name means 'noble'.
Aato: This Finnish boy name translates as 'evening'.
Nissa: This super-Scandi name translates as 'mischievous elf'.
Tauno: This old-style Finnish name means 'peaceful and modest'.
Ove: This typically Nordic name means 'active at work', and is another Finnish classic.
Olivia: It might originally be English, but this classic girl name is growing in popularity in Finland, so we've included it as part of our Finnish inspiration.
Kasper: We love this cute Finnish twist on Casper, which means 'treasure'.
Anna or Ana:This Nordic name is a firm favourite in Finland. This Finnish favourite translates as 'favour' or 'grace'.
Eemil: The Finnish version of Emil, which is also popular with Swedish families, and actually originates from Germany. The name itself means 'to strive or excel'
Elea: This means 'strange', and was the most popular girl baby name in 2019 in Finland, making it a bona fide Finnish hit.
Kaarina,
Aleksanteri: The Finnish version of Alexander, which means 'defender of man'.
Taika:This means 'magic' or 'spell' in Finnish - if you're after Scandi first names for girls, it's worth considering.
Inka: This is the Finnish form of the name Inga, and its origin is from the meaning 'Ing's protection' (in Norse mythology Ing was the god of peace and fertility).
Mikael:Another name from Finland whose origin means 'who is like God'; as you can probably tell, this Finnish spin is closely related to the English name Michael.
Kauko:This name means 'far'.
Erika: This Finnish version of Erica means 'ruler'.
Pinja:This cute Finnish name translates as 'pine tree', which couldn't be more Nordic if it tried.
