Henkilönnimillä

Henkilönnimillä refers to a Finnish term that broadly encompasses personal names. This includes given names (etunimet) and surnames (sukunimet). The system of personal names in Finland has evolved over time, influenced by historical, cultural, and linguistic factors.

Given names in Finland are traditionally chosen by parents and can be either Finnish in origin or borrowed from other languages. Historically, religious influences were strong, leading to names of biblical or saintly origin. Modern Finnish naming practices allow for a wide variety of names, though certain regulations regarding the suitability and uniqueness of names are in place.

Surnames in Finland were historically associated with patronymics, meaning they were derived from the father's given name. For example, a son of Matti might have the surname Matinpoika (Matti's son) and a daughter Matintytär (Matti's daughter). Over time, especially during the 19th and early 20th centuries, there was a movement towards adopting more fixed, family-based surnames, often inspired by nature, professions, or places. Many of these newer surnames ended with suffixes like -nen, -la, or -lä. Today, a person's surname is typically inherited from one or both parents. The concept of henkilönnimillä is central to Finnish identity and civil registration.