Henkilönnimiä

Henkilönnimiä refers to personal names in Finnish. It encompasses both given names, known as etunimi, and surnames, known as sukunimi. The naming traditions in Finland have evolved over time, reflecting historical, social, and linguistic influences. Historically, surnames were not as common as they are today, and people were often identified by their given name and their patronymic or matronymic, indicating their father's or mother's given name. For example, "Matti,asson poika" would mean "Matti, son of Assa."

The adoption of fixed surnames became more widespread in the 19th and early 20th centuries, often influenced by Swedish naming practices. Many Finnish surnames are derived from nature, such as "Järvinen" (from järvi, meaning lake) or "Metsälä" (from metsä, meaning forest). Other surnames reflect occupations, places of residence, or personal characteristics. Modern Finnish law dictates that individuals must have at least one given name and one surname.

Given names in Finland are diverse, with some traditional names remaining popular while new names gain traction. The Finnish Orthographic Committee (Kielitoimiston nimistönhuolto) provides guidance on acceptable names. Finnish names often have a distinct phonetic and morphological structure, reflecting the Finnish language. The practice of choosing names is generally a personal decision for parents, though certain regulations exist to ensure names are not offensive or easily confused with existing ones.