Räsänen

Räsänen is a Finnish surname. It belongs to the class of Finnish last names formed with the -nen suffix, which often indicates a family name derived from a given name, nickname, or toponymic source. The exact historical origin of Räsänen is not definitively documented, but such names typically emerged as hereditary surnames in Finland from medieval times, often linked to a farm, a locality, or a personal name.

The name is most common in Finland, where it is borne by families across several regions. Due to migration and diaspora, Räsänen can also be found among Finnish communities in Sweden, North America, and other countries, though it remains most strongly associated with Finnish heritage.

Variants and orthography: In contexts where diacritics are dropped, Räsänen is often written as Rasanen. The diacritic ä in Finnish spelling is an important distinctive feature of the name, and variant spellings without diacritics may appear in international records.

Notable people: Päivi Räsänen is a Finnish politician and physician who is among the better-known contemporary bearers of the surname. As with many Finnish names, multiple individuals with diverse professions share the surname.

See also: The suffix -nen is common in Finnish surnames, and Räsänen belongs to the broad family of names ending in -nen, which may appear in various historical and regional forms throughout Finland.