Finland Given Names

Given Names

Many Finnish given names are derived from Biblical names, such as Taavetti (David), or the names of saints, such as Yrjö (George). Names can also be of ancient Finnish origin, (such as Ilmari or Tuulikki), or Swedish origin, (such as Sten or Knut).

When baptized, children were usually given one or two given names. It was customary to name the oldest child after the paternal grandparents, the second child after the maternal grandparents, the third after the parents, and subsequent children after godparents or other relatives. If a child died young, it was also common to name the next child of the same gender with the same name.

An authoritative reference book about given names and surnames is: Vilkuna, Kustaa. Suomalainen nimikirja (Finnish Name Book). Helsinki: Otava, 1984. Not available at the Family History Library

You can find more sources about names in the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog under: FINLAND - NAMES, PERSONAL