Hämes

Hämes is a term used in historical and linguistic contexts to refer to the region of Häme in Finland, known in English as Tavastia. In Finnish, the region is named Häme, with the genitive form Hämeen, and the people from the region are described as hämäläiset. The form Hämes appears primarily in older texts, bilingual writings, or regional discussions rather than in contemporary standard usage.

Geographically, Häme denotes a southern Finnish area that played a central role in medieval and early modern Finland under Swedish rule and later under the Grand Duchy of Finland. The region has contributed to Finnish cultural and linguistic development, particularly through its dialects and local traditions that influenced toponymy and folklore.

Linguistically, Häme is associated with Tavastian dialects of Finnish, and the term persists in historical references and in extended place names that carry the Häme element. In modern Finnish geography, the preferred form is Häme, and compounds use the Hämeen- prefix, as in Hämeenlinna. The pluralized form Hämes is not standard in contemporary Finnish and is largely limited to historical or linguistic discussion.

See also: Häme, Tavastia, Hämäläiset.