List of Finns

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

Actors 1
Architects 2
Visual artists 3
Business people 4
Computer pioneers 5
Designers 6
Filmmakers 7
Musicians 8
- Opera 8.1
- Classical 8.2
- Folk music 8.3
- Electronic music 8.4
- Metal 8.5
- Other 8.6
  - A–M 8.6.1
  - N–Z 8.6.2
Philosophers 9
Politicians 10
Scientists 11
Soldiers 12
Sportspeople 13
- Athletics 13.1
- Football 13.2
- Ice hockey 13.3
  - A–K 13.3.1
  - L–Q 13.3.2
  - R–Z 13.3.3
- Motorsports 13.4
- Winter sports 13.5
- Other 13.6
Theologians, clergymen 14
Writers 15
Other notables 16
See also 17
References 18

Actors

Ida Aalberg (1858–1915)
Aino Ackté (1876–1944)
Jouko Ahola
Olavi Ahonen
Irina Björklund
Anna Easteden
Peter Franzén
George Gaynes
Gina Goldberg
Ville Haapasalo
Anna-Leena Härkönen
Ansa Ikonen
Anni-Kristiina Juuso
Kata Kärkkäinen
Marta Kristen
Vesa-Matti Loiri
Masa Niemi
Maila "Vampira" Nurmi
Kati Outinen
Tauno Palo (1905–1982)
Pertti "Spede" Pasanen (1930–2001)
Matti Pellonpää (1951–1995)
Lasse Pöysti
Pentti Siimes
Maria Silfvan – possibly Finland's first actress. (1800–1865)
Markku Toikka
Samuli Edelmann

Architects

Aino Aalto (1894–1949)
Alvar Aalto (1898–1976)
Marco Casagrande (born 1971)
Carl Ludvig Engel (1778–1840)
Juha Leiviskä (born 1936)
Yrjö Lindegren (1900–1952)
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)
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)
Albert Edelfelt – painter (1854–1905)
Magnus Enckell – painter (1870–1925)
Akseli Gallen-Kallela – painter (1865–1931)
Jorma Gallen-Kallela – painter (1898–1939)
Pekka Halonen – painter (1865–1933)
Edvin Hevonkoski – sculptor (1923–2009)
Eila Hiltunen – sculptor (1922–2003)
Tove Jansson painter, illustrator, and cartoonist of Moomin (1914–2001)
Antti Jokinen – video director in Hollywood (born 1968)
Eero Järnefelt – painter (1863–1937)
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)
Sampsa – painter and street artist
Helene Schjerfbeck – painter (1862–1946)
Hugo Simberg – painter (1873–1917)
Kaj Stenvall – painter (born 1951)
Kari Suomalainen – painter and cartoonist (1920–1999)
Reidar Särestöniemi – painter (1925–1981)
Kain Tapper – sculptor (1930–2004)
Marja Vallila - sculptor (born 1950)

Business people

Sari Baldauf – former Nokia executive
Jorma Eloranta – 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
Fredrik Idestam – industrialist and founder of Nokia
Kari Kairamo – former CEO of Nokia (1932–1988)
Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo – former CEO of Nokia
Lars Kovala – merchant, fur trader, investor and philanthropist (1818–1894)
Lasse Kurkilahti – CEO of Kemira
Jorma Ollila – former CEO of Nokia
Kirsti Paakkanen, – former CEO of Marimekko
Jaana Tuominen (born 1960) - CEO of Paulig
Björn Wahlroos – CEO of Sampo
Rudolf Walden – founder of United Paper Mills (1878–1946)
Poju Zabludowicz – billionaire, philanthropist, and owner of Tamares Group

Computer pioneers

Johan Helsingius – creator and operator of The Penet remailer
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
Aapo Kyrölä – creator of Sulake

Designers

Eero Aarnio
Erik Bruun
Kaj Franck (1911–1989)
Maija Isola – designer for Marimekko
Stefan Lindfors
Vuokko Nurmesniemi – textile designer for Marimekko
Katja Pettersson
Timo Sarpaneva – glass designer
Tapio Wirkkala – designer, sculptor (1915–1985)

Filmmakers

Jörn Donner
Renny Harlin
Klaus Härö
Risto Jarva (1934–1977)
Matti Kassila
Aki Kaurismäki
Mika Kaurismäki
Ere Kokkonen
Edvin Laine
Armand Lohikoski (1912–2005)
Rauni Mollberg
Visa Mäkinen
Risto Orko (1899–2001)
Spede Pasanen (1930–2001)
Mauritz Stiller (1883–1928)
Samuli Torssonen
Mika Taanila
Casper Wrede (1929–1998, also theatre & TV director)

Musicians

Opera

Aino Ackté – soprano
Kim Borg – bass
Monica Groop – mezzosoprano
Jorma Hynninen – baritone
Soile Isokoski – soprano
Tom Krause – bass-baritone
Karita Mattila – soprano
Matti Salminen – bass
Martti Talvela – bass
Tarja Turunen – soprano

Classical

Kalevi Aho – composer
Paavo Berglund – conductor
Linda Brava – violinist
Mikko Franck – conductor
Ralf Gothóni – pianist (father of Maris)
Ilkka Kuusisto – composer
Olli Mustonen – pianist, composer
Sakari Oramo – conductor
Selim Palmgren – composer, pianist, conductor
Jorma Panula – conductor and conducting educator pioneer
Einojuhani Rautavaara – composer
Kaija Saariaho – composer
Esa-Pekka Salonen – conductor, composer
Jukka-Pekka Saraste – conductor
Jean Sibelius – composer
John Storgårds – conductor
Elina Vähälä – violinist
Sauli Zinovjev - composer

Folk music

Islaja – acid folk singer
Konsta Jylhä – folk musician
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
Maria Kalaniemi – folk music accordion player

Electronic music

Miika Eloranta & Janne Mansnerus – musicians, producers (as Super8 & Tab)
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 – musician, producer
Mika Vainio – musician, member of Pan Sonic
Ville Virtanen a.k.a. Darude
Ilpo Väisänen – musician, member of Pan Sonic

Metal

Marco Hietala – bassist of Nightwish
Sami Hinkka – bassist and lyricist of Ensiferum
Tuomas Holopainen – composer, songwriter & keyboardplayer of Nightwish
Jan Jämsen — ex-vocalist and current lyricist of folk metal band Finntroll
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
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
Esa Holopainen – Main songwriter, current lead guitarist, and founding member of the Finnish metal band Amorphis
Tomi Joutsen – lead singer of Amorphis

Other

A–M

Jonne Aaron – frontman of Negative
Ismo Alanko – rock musician
Mikko Aspa – lead singer of Deathspell Omega and owner of Northern Heritage label
Kirill Babitzin (1950–2007)
Carola – jazz and pop singer
Elastinen – rap musician, half of the rap duo Fintelligens
Irwin Goodman a.k.a. Antti Hammarberg – Protestsinger (1943–1991)
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)
Esa Holopainen – main songwriter, lead guitarist and founding member of the Finnish metal band Amorphis
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
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
Mikko Paananen – bass player for the rock band HIM
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 – singer (1962–2004)
Jani "Hellboy" Snellman – bass guitarist of rock band Poets of the Fall
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 – jazz musician, composer, drummer (1945–1999)
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

Philosophers

Timo Airaksinen
Lili Alanen
Anders Chydenius
Arto Haapala
Jaakko Hintikka
Pekka Himanen – philosopher, technologist
Matti Häyry
Eino Kaila (1890–1958)
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

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
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 1st 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

Scientists

Lars Valerian Ahlfors – mathematician, Fields Medalist 1936 (1907–1996)
Väinö Auer – explorer, geologist, geographer (1895–1981)
Anders Chydenius – classical liberal (1729–1803)
Kari Enqvist – cosmologist
Johan Gadolin – chemist (1760–1852)
Ragnar Granit – medicine, Nobelist (1900–1991)
Hilma Granqvist – anthropologist (1890–1972)
Ilkka Hanski – Crafoord Prize winning ecologist
Pehr Kalm – botanist (1716–1779)
Teuvo Kohonen – neurocomputing pioneer
Jussi V. Koivisto – economist
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)
Liisi Oterma – astronomer (1915–2001)
Leena Palotie – gene scientist (1952–2010)
Simo Parpola – orientalist, assyriologist
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 (born 1929)
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)
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)

Sportspeople

Athletics

Asprihanal 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 (3,000-m team steeplechase) and silver (3,000-m 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

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

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

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
Yrjö Hietanen – rower, two Olympic gold medals
Veikko Huhtanen – gymnast, three Olympic gold medals (1919–1976)
Robin Hull – snooker player
Mikko Ilonen – golfer
Mika Immonen – pool player
Pertti Karppinen – rower, three Olympic gold medals
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)
Petteri Koponen – basketball player, first Finnish first round pick in NBA draft
Pentti Linnosvuo – sport shooter, two Olympic gold medals
Lasse Lintila – ten-pin bowler
Matti Mattsson – swimmer, one World Championship bronze medal
Hanno Möttölä – basketball player, first Finnish NBA player
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)
Kurt Wires – rower, two Olympic gold medals (1919–1991)

Theologians, clergymen

Writers

Juhani Aho – first professional writer
Minna Canth – first notable woman author (1844–1897)
Bo Carpelan
Marco Casagrande
Jörn Donner – author and politician
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
Kimmo Lehtonen – science fiction novelist
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
Pertti Nieminen
Sofi Oksanen
Arto Paasilinna
Erno Paasilinna
Olavi Paavolainen
Onni Palaste – war novelist (1917–2009)
Antti Puhakka – national romantic poet & 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
Jean M. Auel – American writer of Finnish descent,born as Jean Marie Untinen

Other notables

Ville and Helli and Villi and Helli Tiitinen –related couples with the most similar names
Simo Aalto – stage magician
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
Erkki Hartikainen – atheist activist
Jukka Hilden – part of The Dudesons
Toni Jerrman – science fiction critic
Kuikka-Koponen – trickster and conjurer
Armi Kuusela – Miss Universe 1952
Jarno Laasala – part of The Dudesons
Aarne Lakomaa – aircraft designer (1914–2001)
Jarno "Jarppi"/"Jarno2" Leppälä – part of The Dudesons
Arvi Lind – newscaster
Fanni Luukkonen – leader of Lotta Svärd (1882–1947)
Sophie Mannerheim – nurse (1863–1928)
Väinö Myllyrinne – the tallest Finn, 248 cm (1909–1963)
Larin Paraske – poem singer
Hannu-Pekka "HP" Parviainen – part of The Dudesons
Arndt Pekurinen – pacifist (1905–1941)
Anne Marie Pohtamo – Miss Universe 1975
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)
Nils-Aslak Valkeapää – Sami activist (1943–2001)
Folke West – traveller
Riku Rantala – starring in the Finnish television program Madventures
Tuomas "Tunna" Milonoff – starring in the Finnish television program Madventures

References

^ Olli Määttä

List of Finns

List of Finns

Contents

Actors

Architects

Visual artists

Business people

Computer pioneers

Designers

Filmmakers

Musicians

Opera

Classical

Folk music

Electronic music

Metal

Other

A–M

N–Z

Philosophers

Politicians

Scientists

Soldiers

Sportspeople

Athletics

Football

Ice hockey

A–K

L–Q

R–Z

Motorsports

Winter sports

Other

Theologians, clergymen

Writers

Other notables

See also

References

Categories

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Suggestions

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