List of Finns

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This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by with reliable sources.

This is a list of notable people from Finland. Finland is a Nordic country located between Sweden, Norway and Russia.

Actors[]

Architects[]

Main article: List of Finnish architects
  • Aino Aalto (1894–1949)
  • Alvar Aalto (1898–1976)
  • Marco Casagrande (born 1971)
  • Herman Gesellius (1874-1916)
  • Elna Kiljander (1889–1970)
  • Juha Leiviskä (born 1936)
  • Yrjö Lindegren (1900–1952)
  • Armas Lindgren (1874-1929)
  • Wivi Lönn (1872-1966)
  • Juhani Pallasmaa (born 1936)
  • Reima Pietilä (1923–1993)
  • Viljo Revell (1910–1964)
  • Aarno Ruusuvuori (1925–1992)
  • Eero Saarinen (1910–1961)
  • Eliel Saarinen (1873–1950)
  • J. S. Sirén (1889–1961)
  • Lars Sonck (1870–1956)
  • Josef Stenbäck (1854–1929)
  • Uno Ullberg (1879-1944)
  • Martti Välikangas (1893–1973)

Visual artists[]

  • Wäinö Aaltonen – sculptor (1894–1966)
  • Eija-Liisa Ahtila – photographer, video artist (born 1959)
  • Helena Arnell – painter (1697–1751)
  • Margareta Capsia – painter (1682–1759)
  • Emil Cedercreutz - sculptor (1879-1949)
  • Albert Edelfelt – painter (1854–1905)
  • Magnus Enckell – painter (1870–1925)
  • Gunnar Finne - sculptor (1886-1952)
  • Hilda Flodin - sculptor (1877-1958)
  • Alina Forsman – sculptor (1845–1899)
  • Akseli Gallen-Kallela – painter (1865–1931)
  • Jorma Gallen-Kallela – painter (1898–1939)
  • Eemil Halonen - sculptor (1875-1950)
  • Pekka Halonen – painter (1865–1933)
  • Edvin Hevonkoski – sculptor (1923–2009)
  • Eila Hiltunen – sculptor (1922–2003)
  • Kari Huhtamo – sculptor (born 1943)
  • Tove Jansson - painter, illustrator, and cartoonist of Moomin (1914–2001)
  • Viktor Jansson - sculptor (1886-1958)
  • Antti Jokinen – video director in Hollywood (born 1968)
  • Eero Järnefelt – painter (1863–1937)
  • Ville Juurikkala – photographer (born 1980)
  • Rudolf Koivu – illustrator (1890–1946)
  • Mauri Kunnas (born 1950)
  • Touko Laaksonen (Tom of Finland) – fetish artist (1920–1991)
  • Kari T. Leppänen – cartoonist (born 1945)
  • Otto Maja – graffiti artist (born 1987)
  • Totte Mannes – painter (born 1933)
  • Arno Rafael Minkkinen – photographer
  • Helvi Mustonen – painter (born 1947)
  • Kalervo Palsa – painter (1947–1987)
  • Tuulikki Pietilä – graphic artist (1917–2009)
  • Walter Runeberg - sculptor (1838-1920)
  • Sampsa – painter and street artist
  • Helene Schjerfbeck – painter (1862–1946)
  • Hugo Simberg – painter (1873–1917)
  • Venny Soldan-Brofeldt - painter (1863-1945)
  • Kaj Stenvall – painter (born 1951)
  • Kari Suomalainen – painter and cartoonist (1920–1999)
  • Reidar Särestöniemi – painter (1925–1981)
  • Kain Tapper – sculptor (1930–2004)
  • Ellen Thesleff - painter (1869-1954)
  • Salla Tykkä
  • Ville Vallgren - sculptor (1855-1940)
  • Marja Vallila – sculptor (born 1950)

Business people[]

  • Sari Baldauf – former Nokia executive
  • – CEO of Metso
  • Aatos Erkko – minister, billionaire and major owner of Sanoma
  • Maija-Liisa Friman (born 1952) – board member of several companies
  • Harry Harkimo – businessman in ice hockey business
  • Antti Herlin – chairman of the board of KONE, the richest man in Finland with assets worth over 1 billion euros in KONE stock owned through his holding companies
  • Sara Hildén (1905–1993) – businesswoman and art collector
  • Fredrik Idestam – industrialist and founder of Nokia
  • Kari Kairamo – former CEO of Nokia (1932–1988)
  • Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo – former CEO of Nokia
  • Jorma Ollila – former CEO of Nokia, Chairman of Royal Dutch Shell
  • – former CEO of Marimekko
  • Jaana Tuominen – CEO of Paulig (born 1960)
  • Björn Wahlroos – Chairman of Sampo
  • Rudolf Walden (1878–1946) – founder of United Paper Mills
  • Poju Zabludowicz – billionaire, philanthropist, and owner of Tamares Group

Computer pioneers[]

  • Johan Helsingius – creator and operator of The Penet remailer
  • Aapo Kyrölä – creator of Sulake
  • Jarkko Oikarinen – creator of Internet Relay Chat (IRC)
  • Linus Torvalds – initial creator of Linux kernel
  • Michael Widenius – creator of MySQL
  • Tatu Ylönen – creator of SSH

Designers[]

  • Eero Rislakki
  • Eero Aarnio
  • Erik Bruun
  • Kaj Franck
  • Maija Isola
  • Stefan Lindfors
  • Vuokko Nurmesniemi
  • Katja Pettersson
  • Timo Sarpaneva
  • Esteri Tomula
  • Tapio Wirkkala

Filmmakers[]

Musicians[]

Classical[]

  • Kalevi Aho – composer
  • Paavo Berglund – conductor
  • Linda Brava – violinist
  • Mikko Franck – conductor
  • Ralf Gothóni – pianist (father of Maris)
  • Ilkka Kuusisto – composer
  • Pekka Kuusisto - conductor, violinist, composer
  • Jaakko Kuusisto - conductor, vioinist, composer
  • Hannu Lintu - conductor
  • Klaus Mäkelä - conductor, cellist
  • Olli Mustonen – pianist, composer
  • Sakari Oramo – conductor
  • Selim Palmgren – composer, pianist, conductor
  • Jorma Panula – conductor and conducting educator pioneer
  • Einojuhani Rautavaara – composer
  • Herman Rechberger – composer
  • Santtu-Matias Rouvali - conductor, percussionist
  • Kaija Saariaho – composer
  • Esa-Pekka Salonen – conductor, composer
  • Jukka-Pekka Saraste – conductor
  • Jean Sibelius ��� composer
  • Dalia Stasevska - conducgtor
  • John Storgårds – conductor
  • Elina Vähälä – violinist
  • Osmo Vänskä - conductor, composer, clarinetist
  • Sauli Zinovjev – composer

Electronic[]

  • Miika Eloranta & Janne Mansnerus – musicians, producers (as Super8 & Tab)
  • Paavo Siljamäki – DJ and producer; part of a Trance music group Above & Beyond
  • Jori Hulkkonen – DJ, musician, producer
  • Petri Kuljuntausta – composer, musician
  • Erkki Kurenniemi – musician, inventor
  • Lassi Lehto a.k.a. Jimi Tenor – acid jazz musician
  • Lassi Nikko a.k.a. Brothomstates a.k.a. Dune – musician
  • Sasu Ripatti a.k.a. Vladislav Delay – musician, DJ
  • Esa Juhani Ruoho a.k.a. Lackluster – musician
  • Jaakko Salovaara a.k.a. JS16 – musician, producer
  • Mika Vainio – musician, member of Pan Sonic
  • Ville Virtanen a.k.a. Darude
  • Ilpo Väisänen – musician, member of Pan Sonic
  • Heidi Kilpeläinen – multimedia artist, singer and recording artist, known by the stage name HK119

Folk[]

  • Islaja – acid folk singer
  • Konsta Jylhä – folk musician
  • Maria Kalaniemi – folk music accordion player
  • Sanna Kurki-Suonio – folk music singer
  • Lau Nau – acid folk singer
  • Gösta Sundqvist – folk music singer, Leevi and the Leavings' singer
  • Jenny Wilhelms – folk music singer

Metal[]

  • Marko Hietala – bassist and backing vocalist of Nightwish, main vocalist and co-founding member of Tarot
  • Zachary Hietala – guitarist and co-founding member of Tarot
  • Sami Hinkka – bassist and lyricist of Ensiferum
  • Esa Holopainen – Main songwriter, current lead guitarist, and founding member of the Finnish metal band Amorphis
  • Tuomas Holopainen – composer, songwriter, keyboardplayer and founding member of Nightwish
  • Jan Jämsen – ex-vocalist and current lyricist of folk metal band Finntroll
  • Tomi Joutsen – lead singer of Amorphis
  • Tony Kakko – vocalist, composer and songwriter of Sonata Arctica
  • Jari Kainulainen – ex-bassist of Stratovarius
  • Antti Boman – guitarist and vocalist of death metal band Demilich
  • Perttu Kivilaakso – cellist of cello-metal band Apocalyptica
  • Timo Kotipelto – lead singer of Stratovarius
  • Ville Laihiala – frontman of Sentenced and Poisonblack
  • Alexi Laiho – frontman and lead guitarist of Children of Bodom
  • Roope Latvala – guitarist of Children of Bodom
  • Jani Liimatainen – former guitarist for Sonata Arctica
  • Petri Lindroos – guitarist and main vocalist of Ensiferum and former Norther
  • Jari Mäenpää – composer, singer and guitarist of Ensiferum and Wintersun
  • Jukka Nevalainen – drummer of Nightwish
  • Anne Nurmi – vocalist and keyboard player of Lacrimosa
  • Janne Parviainen – drummer of Ensiferum, Sinergy and Barathrum
  • Tomi Putaansuu – frontman and singer of Lordi
  • Jaska Raatikainen – drummer for Children of Bodom
  • Sami Raatikainen – guitarist for Necrophagist
  • Henkka Seppälä – bassist for Children of Bodom
  • Emmi Silvennoinen – keyboardist of Ensiferum
  • Jani Stefanovic – guitarist, drummer, keyboardist, and bassist for Miseration and Solution .45, formerly of Crimson Moonlight and Renascent
  • Markus Toivonen – founder, guitarist, songwriter and backing vocalist of Ensiferum
  • Timo Tolkki – guitarist and ex-singer of Stratovarius
  • Eicca Toppinen – cellist of cello-metal band Apocalyptica
  • Emppu Vuorinen – guitarist of Nightwish
  • Janne Wirman – keyboard player of Children of Bodom

Opera[]

  • Emmy Achté (1876–1924), mezzo-soprano
  • Aino Ackté (1876–1944), soprano
  • Ida Basilier-Magelssen (1846–1928), soprano
  • Kim Borg (1919–2000), bass
  • Monica Groop (born 1958), mezzo-soprano
  • Alma Fohström (1856–1936), soprano
  • Elin Fohström (1868–1949), soprano
  • Jorma Hynninen (born 1941), baritone
  • Soile Isokoski (born 1957), soprano
  • Tom Krause (1934–2013), bass-baritone
  • Karita Mattila (born 1960), soprano
  • Matti Salminen (born 1945), bass
  • Martti Talvela (1935–1989), bass
  • Tarja Turunen (born 1977), soprano

Other[]

A–M[]

  • Jonne Aaron – frontman of Negative
  • Ismo Alanko – rock musician
  • Jukka Ammondt – literature professor and musician who has recorded songs of Elvis Presley in Latin and Sumerian.[1][2]
  • Nikke Ankara – rap musician
  • Mikko Aspa – lead singer of Deathspell Omega and owner of Northern Heritage label
  • Kirill Babitzin (1950–2007)
  • Maximilian Theodor Buch - historic academic and nationalist
  • Carola – jazz and pop singer
  • Elastinen – rap musician, half of the rap duo Fintelligens
  • Cheek – rap musician. Broken many Spotify records in Finland
  • Irwin Goodman a.k.a. Antti Hammarberg (1943–1991) – protestsinger
  • Sara Forsberg a.k.a. SAARA – Swedish-Finnish American
  • Aki Hakala – drummer of The Rasmus
  • Hector
  • Lasse Heikkilä – composer, songwriter, producer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist
  • Eero Heinonen – bassist of The Rasmus
  • Reino Helismaa (1913–1965)
  • Janita – soul, pop, and alternative singer-songwriter
  • Tomi Joutsen – lead singer of Amorphis
  • Markus Kaarlonen – "Captain" keyboardist and producer of rock band Poets of the Fall
  • Maria Kalaniemi
  • Mika Karppinen – drummer from the band HIM
  • Viktor Klimenko
  • Samuli Kosminen
  • Sakari Kukko
  • Mikko Kuustonen – singer-songwriter
  • Hildá Länsman (born 1993), Sámi pop singer
  • Juice Leskinen – rock musician
  • Mikko Lindström – guitarist from the band HIM
  • Jyrki Linnankivi – lead singer of the 69 Eyes
  • Jaska Makinen – rhythm guitarist of rock band Poets of the Fall
  • Tommy Mansikka-Aho
  • Jarkko Martikainen
  • Andy McCoy – former guitarist of Hanoi Rocks, rock musician
  • Michael Monroe – former singer of Hanoi Rocks, rock musician

N–Z[]

  • Sara Nunes – singer
  • Tuomari Nurmio
  • Harri Nuutinen
  • Mikko Paananen – bass player for the rock band HIM
  • Olga Oinola (1865–1949) – President of the Finnish Women Association
  • Hanna Pakarinen – Finland's first Idols winner, pop singer
  • Paleface – rap musician
  • Maukka Perusjätkä – punk rocker
  • Mika Pohjola – jazz pianist and composer
  • Pekka Pohjola
  • Kimmo Pohjonen
  • Lauri Porra
  • Janne Puurtinen – keyboard player from the band HIM
  • Iiro Rantala
  • Pauli Rantasalmi – guitarist of The Rasmus
  • Tapio Rautavaara
  • Marko Saaresto – lyricist, lead singer of rock band Poets of the Fall
  • Jari Salminen – drummer of rock band Poets of the Fall
  • Jari Sillanpää – Finnish "tango king", singer
  • Sir Christus – former guitarist for the band Negative
  • Aki Sirkesalo (1962–2004) – singer
  • Jani "Hellboy" Snellman – bass guitarist of rock band Poets of the Fall
  • Kyllikki Solanterä (1908–1965) popular singer, vocal teacher and lyricist
  • Topi Sorsakoski – schlager and rock'n'roll singer
  • Gösta Sundqvist
  • Jonna Tervomaa – pop singer
  • Jukka Tolonen
  • Antti Tuisku – pop musician, Idols star
  • Olli Tukiainen – lead guitarist of rock band Poets of the Fall
  • Tellu Turkka
  • Tarja Turunen – former lead singer of the symphonic metal band Nightwish
  • Petri Walli (1969–1995)
  • Juha Watt Vainio
  • Ville Valo – lead singer of HIM
  • Edward Vesala (1945–1999) – jazz musician, composer, drummer
  • Jussi Heikki Tapio Vuori – drummer of the 69 Eyes
  • Olavi Virta – singer
  • Laura Voutilainen – pop singer
  • Maija Vilkkumaa – pop/rock singer
  • Lauri Ylönen – lead singer of The Rasmus
  • A. W. Yrjänä – rock singer, bass guitarist, songwriter, poet

Musical groups[]

  • The Phonies rock band

Philosophers[]

Main article: List of Finnish philosophers
  • Timo Airaksinen
  • Lili Alanen
  • Anders Chydenius
  • Arto Haapala
  • Jaakko Hintikka
  • Pekka Himanen
  • Matti Häyry
  • Eino Kaila
  • Raili Kauppi
  • S. Albert Kivinen
  • Pentti Linkola
  • Eeva-Liisa Manner
  • Ilkka Niiniluoto
  • Esa Saarinen
  • J. V. Snellman
  • Eero Tarasti
  • Raimo Tuomela
  • Thomas Wallgren
  • Edward Westermarck
  • Georg Henrik von Wright

Politicians[]

See also: Prime Minister of Finland and President of Finland
  • Esko Aho – prime minister 1991–1995
  • Martti Ahtisaari – United Nations diplomat and mediator; Nobel Peace Prize winner; president of Finland 1994–2000
  • Karl-August Fagerholm – politician (1901–1984)
  • Tarja Halonen – first female president of Finland, 2000–2012
  • Satu Hassi – MEP
  • Heidi Hautala – MEP
  • Harri Holkeri – prime minister and UN diplomat
  • Ville Itälä – MEP
  • Max Jakobson – UN diplomat
  • Anneli Jäätteenmäki – prime minister 2003
  • Kyösti Kallio – president of Finland 1937–1940 (1873–1940)
  • Urho Kekkonen – president of Finland 1956–1982 (1900–1986)
  • Mari Kiviniemi – prime minister 2010–2011
  • Mauno Koivisto – president of Finland 1982–1994
  • Aleksander von Kothen – senator
  • Hertta Kuusinen – communist politician (1904–1974)
  • Otto Ville Kuusinen – head of the communist Terijoki Government, later Soviet politician (1881–1964)
  • Axel Lille – founder of the Swedish People's Party (1848–1921)
  • Paavo Lipponen – prime minister 1995–2003, the first speaker of the Finnish Parliament 2003–2007
  • Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim – commander-in-chief, regent, president 1944–1946 (1867–1951)
  • Martti Miettunen – prime minister 1961–1962 and 1975–1977
  • Sauli Niinistö – president of Finland 2012–
  • Juho Kusti Paasikivi – president of Finland 1946–1956 (1870–1956)
  • Lauri Kristian Relander – president of Finland 1925–1931 (1883–1942)
  • Elisabeth Rehn – politician
  • Olli Rehn – commissioner and vice-president of the European Commission
  • Heikki Ritavuori – assassinated minister (1880–1922)
  • Risto Ryti – president of Finland 1940–1944 (1889–1956)
  • Miina Sillanpää – first female minister
  • Taisto Sinisalo – communist politician
  • Helvi Sipilä – UN diplomat
  • Johan Vilhelm Snellman – writer and senator (1806–1881)
  • Osmo Soininvaara – minister
  • Kalevi Sorsa – prime minister (1930–2004)
  • Kaarlo Juho Ståhlberg – president of Finland 1919–1925 (1865–1952)
  • Ulf Sundqvist
  • Pehr Evind Svinhufvud – regent and president of Finland 1931–1937 (1861–1944)
  • Väinö Tanner – prime minister 1926–1927 (1881–1966)
  • Oskari Tokoi – prime minister 1917 (1873–1963)
  • Erkki Tuomioja – foreign minister (2000–2007)
  • Martti Turunen – Japanese Diet member of Finnish origin 2001–
  • Matti Vanhanen – prime minister 2003–2010
  • Johannes Virolainen – prime minister in 1964–1966 (1914–2000)
  • Hella Wuolijoki – parliamentarian, writer (1886–1954)

Scientists[]

  • Lars Valerian Ahlfors – mathematician, Fields Medalist 1936 (1907–1996)
  • Väinö Auer – explorer, geologist, geographer (1895–1981)
  • Matthias Castren – ethnologist (1813–1852)
  • Anders Chydenius – classical liberal (1729–1803)
  • Kari Enqvist – cosmologist
  • Teppo Felin – professor at the University of Oxford
  • Johan Gadolin – chemist (1760–1852)
  • Ragnar Granit – medicine, Nobelist (1900–1991)
  • Hilma Granqvist – anthropologist (1890–1972)
  • Ilkka Hanski – Crafoord Prize winning ecologist (1953–2016)
  • Bengt Holmström – economist, Nobelist (1949–)
  • Kimmo Innanen – astronomer (1937-2011)
  • Pehr Kalm – botanist (1716–1779)
  • Teuvo Kohonen – neurocomputing pioneer (1934–)
  • Anders Johan Lexell – mathematician, astronomer (1740–1784)
  • Ernst Lindelöf – mathematician, researcher of function theory and topology (1870–1946)
  • Olli Lounasmaa – physicist, researcher of low-temperature physics (1930–2002)
  • Hjalmar Mellin – mathematician (1854–1933)
  • Risto Näätänen – psychologist and neuroscientist (born 1939)
  • Rolf Nevanlinna – mathematician (1895–1980)
  • Nils Gustaf Nordenskiöld – mineralogist (1792–1866)
  • Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld – polar explorer, political refugee in Sweden (1832–1901)
  • Gunnar Nordström – theoretical physicist (1881–1923)
  • Aili Nurminen – meteorologist (1896–1972)
  • Liisi Oterma – astronomer (1915–2001)
  • Leena Palotie – gene scientist (1952–2010)
  • Simo Parpola – orientalist, assyriologist
  • Tuija I. Pulkkinen – space scientist (born 1962)
  • Helena Ranta – pathologist, forensic dentist
  • Eric Tigerstedt – inventor, Thomas Edison of Finland (1887–1925)
  • Kari S. Tikka – justice and finance professor (1944–2006)
  • Esko Valtaoja – astronomer
  • Tatu Vanhanen – political scientist (1929–2015)
  • Artturi Ilmari Virtanen – chemist, Nobelist (1895–1973)
  • Vilho Väisälä – mathematician, inventor of meteorological instruments (1889–1969)
  • Yrjö Väisälä – astronomer, meteorologist (1891–1971)
  • Edvard Westermarck – philosopher, sociologist (1862–1939)
  • Joy Wolfram – nanoscientist (1989–)
  • Arvo Ylppö – pediatrician (1887–1992)

Soldiers[]

  • Aksel Airo – general (1898–1985)
  • Adolf Ehrnrooth – general (1905–2004)
  • Axel Heinrichs – general (1890–1965)
  • Simo Häyhä – first lieutenant, sharpshooter 505 confirmed sniper kills (1905–2002)
  • Eino Ilmari Juutilainen – pilot, twice knight of Mannerheim cross
  • Jorma Karhunen – pilot, aviation writer
  • Jussi Kekkonen – major, younger brother of president Urho Kekkonen (1910–1962)
  • Ruben Lagus – major general (1896–1956)
  • Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim – marshal of Finland (1867–1951)
  • Vilho Petter Nenonen – general (1883–1960)
  • Karl Lennart Oesch – lieutenant general (1892–1978)
  • Mika Peltonen – brigadier general (from 2005)
  • Jorma Sarvanto – fighter pilot, World War II ace
  • Ensio Siilasvuo – general (1922–2001)
  • Hjalmar Siilasvuo – general (1892–1947)
  • Georg Magnus Sprengtporten – general (1740–1819)
  • Torsten Stålhandske – commander of Hakkapelites (1594–1644)
  • Paavo Susitaival – lieutenant colonel (1896–1993)
  • Lauri Sutela – general
  • Paavo Talvela – general (1897–1973)
  • Lauri Törni (a.k.a. Larry Thorne) – captain (1919–1965)
  • Rudolf Walden – general (1878–1946)
  • Kurt Martti Wallenius – major general (1893–1984)
  • Hans Wind – pilot, twice knight of Mannerheim cross
  • Harald Öhquist – lieutenant general (1891–1971)
  • Hugo Österman – lieutenant general (1892–1975)
  • Karl Fredrik Wilkama – general of the infantry (1876–1947)
  • Aimo Koivunen – corporal (1939–1944)

Sportspeople[]

See also: List of Finnish sportspeople

Athletics[]

  • Ashprihanal Pekka Aalto – ultramarathoner and extreme endurance athlete
  • Arto Bryggare – hurdling athlete
  • Sari Essayah – race walker, world champion
  • Tommi Evilä – long jumper
  • Arsi Harju – shot putter, Olympic champion
  • Eduard Hämäläinen – decathlete
  • Arto Härkönen – javelin thrower, Olympic champion
  • Gunnar Höckert – runner, Olympic champion (1910–1940)
  • Volmari Iso-Hollo – runner, two Olympic gold medals (1907–1969)
  • Akilles Järvinen – decathlete (1905–1943)
  • Matti Järvinen – javelin thrower, Olympic champion (1909–1985)
  • Verner Järvinen – discus thrower, Olympic champion (1870–1941)
  • Kaarlo Kangasniemi – weightlifter, Olympic champion 1968 Mexico
  • Olli-Pekka Karjalainen – hammer thrower
  • Veikko Karvonen – marathon runner (Boston Marathon winner 1954)
  • Elias Katz – runner, Olympic champion (3,000m team steeplechase) and silver (3,000m steeplechase) (1901–1947)
  • Jukka Keskisalo – runner
  • Kimmo Kinnunen – javelin thrower, world champion
  • Hannes Kolehmainen – runner, four Olympic gold medals (1889–1966)
  • Valentin Kononen – race walker, world champion
  • Tapio Korjus – javelin thrower, Olympic champion
  • Teodor Koskenniemi – runner, Olympic champion (1887–1965)
  • Paavo Kotila – marathon runner (Boston Marathon winner 1960)
  • Harri Larva – runner, Olympic champion (1906–1980)
  • Lauri Lehtinen – runner, Olympic champion (1908–1973)
  • Eero Lehtonen – pentathlete, two Olympic gold medals (1898–1959)
  • Heikki Liimatainen – runner, two Olympic gold medals (1894–1980)
  • Tiina Lillak – javelin thrower, world champion
  • Toivo Loukola – runner, Olympic champion (1902–1984)
  • Taisto Mäki – long-distance runner, multiple world record holder (1910–1979)
  • Jonni Myyrä – javelin thrower, two Olympic gold medals (1892–1955)
  • Pauli Nevala – javelin thrower, Olympic champion
  • Elmer Niklander – discus thrower and shot putter, Olympic champion (1890–1942)
  • Paavo Nurmi – runner, nine Olympic gold medals (1897–1973)
  • Eino Oksanen – marathon runner (Boston Marathon winner 1959, 1961,1962)
  • Aki Parviainen – javelin thrower, world champion
  • Tero Pitkämäki – javelin thrower, world champion
  • Ville Pörhölä – shot putter, Olympic champion (1897–1964)
  • Heli Rantanen – javelin thrower, Olympic champion
  • Tapio Rautavaara – javelin thrower, Olympic champion (1915–1979)
  • Ville Ritola – runner, five Olympic gold medals (1896–1982)
  • Seppo Räty – javelin thrower, three Olympic medals, world champion
  • Julius Saaristo – javelin thrower, Olympic champion (1891–1969)
  • Ilmari Salminen – runner, Olympic champion (1902–1986)
  • Albin Stenroos – marathon runner, Olympic champion (1889–1971)
  • Olavi Suomalainen – marathon runner (Boston Marathon winner 1972)
  • Armas Taipale – discus thrower, Olympic champion (1890–1976)
  • Juha Tiainen – hammer thrower, Olympic champion
  • Abraham Tokazier – sprinter
  • Vilho Tuulos – triple jumper, Olympic champion (1895–1967)
  • Pekka Vasala – runner, Olympic champion
  • Lasse Virén – runner, four Olympic gold medals
  • Paavo Yrjölä – decathlete, Olympic champion

Basketball[]

  • Petteri Koponen – basketball player, first Finnish first round pick in NBA draft
  • Lauri Markkanen – basketball player, currently with the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Hanno Möttölä – basketball player, first Finnish NBA player
  • Miron Ruina (born 1998) – Finnish-Israeli basketball player

Football[]

Ice hockey[]

A–K[]

L–Q[]

R–Z[]

Motorsports[]

  • Mika Ahola – enduro rider (1974–2012)
  • Pentti Airikkala – rally driver
  • Markku Alén – rally driver
  • Samuli Aro – enduro rider
  • Valtteri Bottas – Formula One driver
  • Toni Gardemeister – rally driver
  • Marcus Grönholm – rally driver. 2 time World Champion
  • Mikko Hirvonen – rally driver
  • Mika Häkkinen – Formula One driver 2 time World Champion
  • Mika Kallio – motorcycle racer
  • Juha Kankkunen – rally driver. 4 time World Champion
  • Leo Kinnunen – Formula One driver
  • Heikki Kovalainen – Formula One driver
  • Teuvo Länsivuori – motorcycle racer
  • Jari-Matti Latvala – rally driver
  • JJ Lehto – Formula One driver
  • Hannu Mikkola – rally driver
  • Heikki Mikkola – motocross racer
  • Timo Mäkinen – rally driver
  • Tommi Mäkinen – rally driver. 4 time World Champion
  • Kauko Nieminen – speedway racer
  • Taru Rinne – motorcycle racer
  • Keke Rosberg – Formula One driver, World Champion 1982
  • Harri Rovanperä – rally driver
  • Kimi Räikkönen – Formula One driver, World Champion in 2007; rally driver; NASCAR driver
  • Jarno Saarinen – motorcycle racer (1945–1973)
  • Juha Salminen – enduro rider
  • Mika Salo – Formula One driver
  • Timo Salonen – rally driver
  • Kari Tiainen – enduro rider
  • Henri Toivonen – rally driver (1956–1986)
  • Ari Vatanen – rally driver

Rowing[]

  • Yrjö Hietanen – rower, two Olympic gold medals
  • Pertti Karppinen – rower, three Olympic gold medals
  • Kurt Wires – rower, two Olympic gold medals (1919–1991)

Winter sports[]

  • Janne Ahonen – ski jumper
  • Antti Autti – snowboarder
  • Eero Ettala – snowboarder, 2006 World Champion
  • Veikko Hakulinen – cross-country skier, three Olympic gold medals
  • Janne Happonen – ski jumper
  • Heikki Hasu – Nordic combined, two Olympic gold medals
  • Matti Hautamäki – ski jumper
  • Antti Hyvärinen – ski jumper
  • Kalevi Hämäläinen – cross-country skier
  • Risto Jussilainen – ski jumper
  • Marjatta Kajosmaa – cross-country skier
  • Veikko Kankkonen – ski jumper
  • Jouko Karjalainen – Nordic combined
  • Klaes Karppinen – cross-country skier
  • Kalle Keituri – ski jumper
  • Harri Kirvesniemi – cross-country skier
  • Marja-Liisa Kirvesniemi – cross-country skier, three Olympic gold medals
  • Anssi Koivuranta – Nordic combined
  • Kiira Korpi – figure skater
  • Markku Koski – snowboarder and Olympic bronze medalist (Men's Snowboarding Halfpipe)
  • Kai Kovaljeff – ski jumper
  • Hilkka Kuntola – cross-country skier
  • Risto Laakkonen – ski jumper
  • Janne Lahtela – freestyle skier
  • Mika Laitinen – ski jumper
  • Samppa Lajunen – Olympic gold medalist (Nordic combined) and (sprint)
  • Ville Larinto – ski jumper
  • Hannu Manninen – Nordic combined
  • Marjo Matikainen-Kallström – cross-country skier
  • Juha Mieto – cross-country skier
  • Olli Muotka – ski jumper
  • Kaija Mustonen – speed skater
  • Mika Myllylä – cross-country skier
  • Eero Mäntyranta – cross-country skier, three Olympic gold medals
  • Toni Nieminen – ski jumper, two Olympic gold medals
  • Ari-Pekka Nikkola – ski jumper, two Olympic gold medals
  • Matti Nykänen – ski jumper, four Olympic gold medals, one Olympic silver medal
  • Harri Olli– ski jumper
  • Kalle Palander – skier
  • Peetu Piiroinen – snowboarder, one Olympic silver medal (halfpipe)
  • Tanja Poutiainen – skier
  • Jari Puikkonen – ski jumper
  • Siiri Rantanen – cross-country skier
  • Marjut Rolig – cross-country skier
  • Mikko Ronkainen – freestyle skier
  • Janne Ryynänen – Nordic combined
  • Veli Saarinen – cross-country skier
  • Julius Skutnabb – speed skater
  • Jani Soininen – ski jumper
  • Helena Takalo – cross-country skier
  • Jaakko Tallus – Nordic combined
  • Clas Thunberg – speed skater, five Olympic gold medals
  • Jouko Törmänen – ski jumper
  • Tuomo Ylipulli – ski jumper
  • Kaisa Mäkäräinen – biathlete, one-time World Champion, 6 total medals at World Championships

Other[]

  • Paavo Aaltonen – gymnast, three Olympic gold medals (1919–1962)
  • Jouko Ahola – World's strongest man champion twice
  • Patrik Antonius – High-stakes poker player
  • Kalle Anttila – wrestler, two Olympic gold medals (1887–1975)
  • Kike Elomaa – IFBB professional bodybuilder
  • Veikka Gustafsson – mountain climber
  • Veikko Huhtanen – gymnast, three Olympic gold medals (1919–1976)
  • Robin Hull – snooker player
  • Mikko Ilonen – golfer
  • Mika Immonen – pool player
  • Antti Kasvio – swimmer
  • Minna Kauppi – orienteer, nine-time World Champion
  • Marko Kemppainen – skeet shooter
  • Mika Koivuniemi – ten-pin bowler
  • Väinö Kokkinen – wrestler, two Olympic gold medals (1899–1967)
  • Pentti Linnosvuo – sport shooter, two Olympic gold medals
  • Matti Mattsson – swimmer, one World Championship bronze medal
  • Jarkko Nieminen – tennis player
  • Lauri "Tahko" Pihkala – inventor of Finnish baseball (1888–1981)
  • Kustaa Pihlajamäki – wrestler, two Olympic gold medals (1902–1944)
  • Jarno Pihlava – swimmer
  • Arto Saari – pro skateboarder
  • Ale Saarvala – gymnast, two Olympic gold medals
  • Kasperi Salo – badminton player
  • Heikki Savolainen – gymnast, two Olympic gold medals (1907–1998)
  • Hanna-Maria Seppälä – swimmer, World champion
  • Jani Sievinen – swimmer, one Olympic silver and many other international medals, mostly gold medals. Most decorated Finnish swimmer
  • Markku Uusipaavalniemi – curler
  • Anu Viheriäranta – ballet dancer
  • Antti Viitikko – badminton player
  • Janne Virtanen – world's strongest man champion
  • Emil Väre – wrestler, two Olympic gold medals (1885–1974)
  • Verner Weckman – wrestler, two Olympic gold medals (1882–1968)

Theologians, clergymen[]

Writers[]

See also: List of Finnish women writers
  • Juhani Aho – first professional writer
  • Helena Anhava – prolific poet, writer, translator (1925-2018)
  • Jean M. Auel – American writer of Finnish descent, born as Jean Marie Untinen
  • Minna Canth – author (1844–1897)
  • Bo Carpelan
  • Marco Casagrande
  • Jörn Donner – author and politician
  • Anna Edelheim – journalist
  • Elsa Enäjärvi-Haavio (1901–1951), folklorist and cultural critic
  • Seikko Eskola – historian
  • Pentti Haanpää
  • Aarne Haapakoski – pulp writer with pseudonym Outsider
  • Paavo Haavikko
  • Saima Harmaja – poet (1913–1937)
  • Laila Hietamies
  • Veikko Huovinen
  • Antti Hyry
  • Anna-Leena Härkönen
  • Risto Isomäki – science fiction writer
  • Tove Jansson – children's author of Moomin fame (1914–2001)
  • Maria Jotuni (1880–1943)
  • Markus Kajo – comedy writer (born 1957)
  • Taito Kantonen
  • Volter Kilpi
  • Marko Kitti
  • Aleksis Kivi – first significant author in Finnish (1834–1872)
  • Leena Krohn
  • Torsti Lehtinen – writer and philosopher
  • Joel Lehtonen
  • Eino Leino (1878–1926)
  • Rosa Liksom
  • Väinö Linna – author of The Unknown Soldier (1920–1992)
  • Johannes Linnankoski
  • Elias Lönnrot – compiled the Kalevala (1802–1884)
  • Veijo Meri
  • Barbara Catharina Mjödh
  • Knud Möller
  • Jukka Nevakivi
  • Pertti Nieminen
  • Carita Nyström (1940–2019), Swedish-speaking writer
  • Sofi Oksanen
  • Arto Paasilinna
  • Erno Paasilinna
  • Olavi Paavolainen
  • Onni Palaste – war novelist (1917–2009)
  • Antti Puhakka – national romantic poet and politician (1816–1893)
  • Kalle Päätalo (1919–2000)
  • Johan Ludvig Runeberg – national poet (1804–1877)
  • Pentti Saarikoski
  • Frans Emil Sillanpää – Nobelist (1888–1964)
  • Johanna Sinisalo
  • Tommy Tabermann – also known from TV series Have I Got News For You a.k.a. Uutisvuoto
  • Marton Taiga – pseudonym of Martti Löfberg
  • Jari Tervo – also known from TV series Have I Got News For You a.k.a. Uutisvuoto
  • Märta Tikkanen
  • Zacharias Topelius – author and historian (1818–1898)
  • Jouko Turkka
  • Antti Tuuri
  • Kaari Utrio
  • Hella Wuolijoki
  • Mika Waltari (1908–1979)
  • Lauri Viita – poet and novelist known for extreme rhyme skill
  • Kjell Westö

Other notables[]

  • Simo Aalto – stage magician
  • Kaarlo Bergbom – theatre director, founder of the Finnish National Theatre
  • Ior Bock – eccentric
  • Donner family
  • Karl Fazer – confectionery manufacturer
  • Janina Frostell – model, sex symbol and singer
  • Tony Halme – show wrestler (stage name Ludwig Borga), politician
  • Pirkko Hämäläinen, Ambassador to Austria
  • Seppo Hentilä – historian
  • Jukka Hilden – member of The Dudesons
  • Toni Jerrman – science fiction critic
  • Pepe Jürgens – sports commentator
  • Vesa Kanniainen – economist and academic
  • Liisa Kauppinen (born 1939), human rights activist
  • Kuikka-Koponen – trickster and conjurer
  • Armi Kuusela – Miss Universe 1952
  • Jarno Laasala – member of The Dudesons
  • Aarne Lakomaa – aircraft designer (1914–2001)
  • Jarno "Jarppi"/"Jarno2" Leppälä – member of The Dudesons
  • Arvi Lind – newscaster
  • Fanni Luukkonen – leader of Lotta Svärd (1882–1947)
  • Venla Luukkonen – Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion
  • Sophie Mannerheim – nurse (1863–1928)
  • Tuomas "Tunna" Milonoff – starring in the Finnish television program Madventures
  • Väinö Myllyrinne – the tallest Finn, 248 cm (1909–1963)
  • Larin Paraske – poem singer
  • Hannu-Pekka "HP" Parviainen – member of The Dudesons
  • Arndt Pekurinen – pacifist (1905–1941)
  • Anne Marie Pohtamo – Miss Universe 1975
  • Riku Rantala – starring in the Finnish television program Madventures
  • Krisse Salminen – comedian and talk show hostess
  • Santa Claus
  • Eugen Schauman – assassin who killed Nikolai Ivanovich Bobrikov (1875–1904)
  • Tabe Slioor – socialite, reporter, photographer; founded the first gossip magazine in Finland
  • Nils Torvalds – journalist
  • Ole Torvalds – journalist (1916–1995)
  • Teppo Turkki – futurologist
  • Nils-Aslak Valkeapää – Sami activist (1943–2001)
  • Folke West – traveller

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Crooner 'with a calling' sings Elvis ... in Latin". sawfnews.com. Archived from the original on 23 April 2007.
  2. ^ "Elvis lives... in Latin". Independent Online. 15 August 2007.
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