🇫🇮 Finland
1,025
Total names
500
Male names
525
Female names
Naming Rules
Maximum four first names
Finnish law allows up to four first names for a child.
Must not cause offense or harm
Names that are inappropriate or could cause disadvantage to the bearer are rejected.
Gender-matching encouraged
Names should generally match the child's sex, though exceptions exist for established unisex names.
Name day calendar is influential
The Finnish name day calendar influences common name choices, but is not legally binding.
Legal basis: Etunimilaki (First Names Act), 946/2017.
Authority: Digi- ja väestötietovirasto (Digital and Population Data Services Agency)
Popular Names in Finland
Top 15 Boy Names
1.Leo
2.Elias
3.Onni
4.Väinö
5.Oliver
6.Eino
7.Noel
8.Toivo
9.Eeli
10.Leevi
11.Joel
12.Hugo
13.Aatos
14.Matias
15.Mikael
Top 15 Girl Names
1.Aino
2.Olivia
3.Aada
4.Sofia
5.Eevi
6.Ella
7.Lilja
8.Helmi
9.Isla
10.Venla
11.Emma
12.Emilia
13.Pihla
14.Saara
15.Lumi
Registering a baby name in Finland
Deadline
3 months after birth
Processing
1-4 weeks
Fee
Free
Appeal to
Administrative Court (Hallinto-oikeus)
Finland allows up to four first names. Families with both Finnish and Swedish heritage often combine a Finnish-origin name with a Swedish-origin one in the official record.
Traditional Finnish names
Finland distinguishes between Finnish-language and Swedish-language names — both are official. The Kalevala, Finland's national epic, is a rich source of traditional names such as Väinö, Ilmari, Lemminkäinen and Aino.
Examples of names refused or restricted
While Finland accepts most well-known names, the Digi- ja väestötietovirasto (DVV) has refused or restricted the following types:
- Names of the wrong grammatical gender — Finnish law requires names to match the child's sex, though this is under review
- Commercial brand names — not accepted as first names
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to register a baby name in Finland?
Parents must declare the name at the Digi- ja väestötietovirasto (DVV) within 3 months after birth. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. The standard fee is Free.
What names are rejected in Finland?
Refusals are rare but not unknown. Examples include: Names of the wrong grammatical gender (Finnish law requires names to match the child's sex, though this is under review); Commercial brand names (not accepted as first names). The core principle is that no name may harm or humiliate the child.
Can foreign parents use a non-Finnish name?
Yes. Foreign-origin names are generally accepted in Finland, provided they can be written in the local alphabet and do not conflict with the rules above. Parents from abroad may be asked to show their own passport or the child's prior documents as supporting evidence.
What can I do if the registrar refuses my chosen name?
You can appeal the decision before the Administrative Court (Hallinto-oikeus). In practice, submitting evidence of historical use (saints, writers, previous bearers of the name) or a minor adaptation of spelling usually resolves the case.
Check a name in Finland
Search 1,025 names in our Finland database — plus 24 more European countries.
Check a Name →Last updated: April 2026. For informational purposes only. Always consult your local civil registry for definitive answers.