Pihkala

Pihkala is a Finnish surname and, less commonly, a place name. It is most often encountered in Finland and among Finnish communities abroad, where it may appear as a family name or as a toponym connected to a locality.

Etymology: The name is of Finnish origin, formed from the word pihka meaning resin, combined with the -la suffix, which is common in Finnish toponymy and surnames to denote a place or homestead. Thus Pihkala is typically interpreted as a place associated with resin production or resin-bearing trees, or more generally as a habitational name.

Usage: The surname Pihkala has been borne by individuals in Finnish public life, including figures in politics, education, science, and culture. In migration, bearers of the name have established communities outside Finland as part of broader Finnish diasporas.

Toponymy: As a place name, Pihkala may refer to farms or settlements in Finland that historically carried the name. Such toponyms often reflect local geography or economic activity in older records.

See also: Names with similar roots, such as Pihlaja, and other Finnish surnames ending in -la.