Aino

Aino is a Finnish feminine given name that is widely used in Finland and among Finnish-speaking communities, and has also appeared in other Nordic contexts. The name is commonly linked to the Finnish word aino, meaning “the only one” or indicating uniqueness.

In Finnish folklore, Aino is a central figure in the Kalevala, the national epic. The character Aino is a young maiden who drowns herself rather than marry, a tale that has been interpreted in various ways and that has influenced Finnish art, literature, and music.

Notable people named Aino include Aino Ackté, a Finnish soprano who helped popularize Finnish opera; Aino Kallas, a Finnish-Estonian writer known for her novels and novellas; and Aino Marsio-Aalto, an architect and designer who collaborated with her husband, Alvar Aalto.

As a given name, Aino has remained popular in Finland since the late 19th century. It is less common in other countries but may be encountered among Nordic communities and in literary or historical contexts referencing Finnish culture.