Finland's newborn registries show a decisive shift toward international and softer-sounding names, with Oliver and Luna making dramatic climbs to join traditional stalwarts like Aino and Eino. The trend marks a clear evolution from the consonant-heavy names popular among the nation's baby boomer generation, according to naming expert Minna Saarelma-Paukkala, a docent of onomastic research at the University of Helsinki.
The New International Favorites
Saarelma-Paukkala notes that contemporary parents are increasingly choosing names with an international flavor, often with classical undertones. For girls, names like Olivia, Isla, and Ellen are now commonplace. 'Ellen was popular first among Swedish-speaking Finns, but now it has clearly come to Finnish-speaking girls as well,' Saarelma-Paukkala said. Alongside Ellen, the name Alva is popular in both language groups. Other top names in recent years have included Aurora, Lilja, Livia, Viola, and Sofia. 'In these, in addition to internationality, there is a hint of antiquity,' she pondered.
The international influence is equally strong for boys. The name Oliver is currently particularly popular, widely used across Europe. Also on the rise are Hugo, Leon, Noel, Nooa, Aamos, and Aaron. 'We see a lot of this kind of Old Testament nomenclature,' Saarelma-Paukkala observed. A name making a fast climb up the list of most popular names is Daniel, which she finds somewhat surprising. 'It's fascinating to watch when a name suddenly starts to climb upward.'
The Rapid Climbers and Enduring Classics
On the girls' side, the clear rising star is Luna. 'You can also tell because it has been a popular name for dogs and cats, right there among the top names,' Saarelma-Paukkala noted. Despite the strong trend toward international names, certain traditional Finnish names continue to hold their ground. Saarelma-Paukkala reminds us that multiple naming trends coexist. 'We have many types of parents. Some clearly want to favor Finnish-language names, others want the most international ones possible.'
Among the old Finnish names, popular choices for boys still include Eino, Väinö, Toivo, Oiva, Vilho, and Aatos. For girls, Aino has long been popular and remains so. Helmi, Kerttu, Amalia, Hilda, and Hilma are also favored. These names were given to children in Finland a hundred years ago as well. Whether a name is international or old, Saarelma-Paukkala concludes that Finland currently favors light names. 'Names are now vowel-initial or vowel-focused and in that sense soft.'
A Phonetic Shift Across Generations
The contrast becomes clear when comparing today's names to those popular among the large baby boomer cohorts born in the 1940s and 1950s. Back then, popular names included Riitta, Ritva, Reijo, Raimo, Pirkko, and Markku. 'Back then, you saw the letter R and heavy consonant clusters a lot,' Saarelma-Paukkala said. This shift from hard consonants to softer, more melodic vowel sounds represents a significant phonetic evolution in Finnish naming conventions over two to three generations.
What Influences the Choice?
Saarelma-Paukkala points out that popular culture and children's literature have influenced name popularity throughout the decades. This continues today, with international films, series, and books making names like Luna (common in astronomy and fantasy) and Oliver (a classic literary name) familiar and appealing to Finnish parents. The drive for 'softer' sounding names may also align with broader, less formal parenting styles and a preference for names perceived as gentle and approachable.
The enduring strength of names like Aino and Eino demonstrates that for a significant segment of parents, deep-rooted cultural continuity remains a powerful value. These names are not seen as old-fashioned but as timeless, carrying the weight of history without the burden of being outdated. They offer a distinct identity within Finland, which can be a deliberate choice in an increasingly homogenized global culture.
Ultimately, the Finnish naming landscape of 2024 is not a story of replacement but of expansion. The palette of acceptable and popular names has grown wider, accommodating both the international citizen and the guardian of tradition. The common thread, as identified by Saarelma-Paukkala, is a preference for phonetic lightness—a sonic shift that may define this era of Finnish naming for historians looking back. The question for the future is whether these international names will become the new Finnish classics, or if the cyclical nature of fashion will bring back the resonant 'R's of the past.