List of Finns

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

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

Actors

• Ida Aalberg (1858–1915)
• Aino Ackté (1876–1944)
• Jouko Ahola
• Olavi Ahonen
• Irina Björklund
• Anna Easteden
• Samuli Edelmann
• 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
• Turo Pajala
• Tauno Palo (1905–1982)
• Pertti "Spede" Pasanen (1930–2001)
• Matti Pellonpää (1951–1995)
• Lasse Pöysti
• Pentti Siimes
• Maria Silfvan (1800–1865) – possibly Finland's first actress
• Markku Toikka

Architects

Main article: List of Finnish architects

• Aino Aalto (1894–1949)
• Alvar Aalto (1898–1976)
• Marco Casagrande (born 1971)
• 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 – board member of several companies (born 1952)
• 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, Chairman of Royal Dutch Shell.
• Kirsti Paakkanen – former CEO of Marimekko
• Jaana Tuominen – CEO of Paulig (born 1960)
• 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
• 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 (1911–1989)
• Maija Isola – designer for Marimekko
• Stefan Lindfors
• Vuokko Nurmesniemi – textile designer for Marimekko
• Katja Pettersson
• Ristomatti Ratia
• 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 and TV director

Musicians

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

Electronic

• 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
• 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

• Marco 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

• 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

Other

A–M

• Jonne Aaron – frontman of Negative
• Ismo Alanko – rock musician
• Nikke Ankara – rap 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
• 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 singer, songwriter, actress, makeup artist, fashion designer, YouTuber, comedian, pseudo-language specialist, polyglot
• 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
• 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

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
• 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

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
• 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)
• 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 (3,000m 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

Football

• Alexei Eremenko Jr.
• Roman Eremenko
• Mikael Forssell
• Sami Hyypiä
• Jonatan Johansson
• Jussi Jääskeläinen
• Joonas Kolkka
• Shefki Kuqi
• Jari Litmanen
• Antti Niemi
• Mixu Paatelainen
• Petri Pasanen
• Juhani Peltonen
• Roni Porokara
• Aki Riihilahti
• Aulis Rytkönen
• Teemu Tainio
• Hannu Tihinen
• Mika Väyrynen
• Mika Ääritalo

Ice hockey

A–K

• Antti Aalto
• Sami Aittokallio
• Aleksander Barkov Jr.
• Aki Berg
• Sean Bergenheim
• Timo Blomqvist
• Niklas Bäckström
• Mikko Eloranta
• Valtteri Filppula
• Mikael Granlund
• Tuomas Grönman
• Matti Hagman
• Niklas Hagman
• Riku Hahl
• Teemu Hartikainen
• Ilkka Heikkinen
• Riku Helenius
• Raimo Helminen
• Jukka Hentunen
• Jani Hurme
• Erik Hämäläinen
• Jarkko Immonen
• Jesse Joensuu
• Jussi Jokinen
• Olli Jokinen
• Timo Jutila
• Hannu Järvenpää
• Iiro Järvi
• Tomi Kallio
• Niko Kapanen
• Sami Kapanen
• Jere Karalahti
• Esa Keskinen
• Markus Ketterer
• Marko Kiprusoff
• Miikka Kiprusoff
• Mikko Koivu
• Saku Koivu – current IOC member
• Leo Komarov
• Petri Kontiola
• Lauri Korpikoski
• Lasse Kukkonen
• Jari Kurri

L–Q

• Teemu Laakso
• Antti Laaksonen
• Erkki Laine
• Janne Laukkanen
• Tero Lehterä
• Jere Lehtinen
• Erkki Lehtonen
• Kari Lehtonen
• Mikko Lehtonen (born 1978)
• Mikko Lehtonen (born 1987)
• Ville Leino
• Juha Lind
• Perttu Lindgren
• Jyrki Lumme
• Mikko Luoma
• Toni Lydman
• Pentti Lund
• Jussi Markkanen
• Antti Miettinen
• Reijo Mikkolainen
• Jarmo Myllys
• Olli Määttä
• Mikko Mäkelä
• Antti Niemi
• Antti-Jussi Niemi
• Mika Nieminen
• Ville Nieminen
• Janne Niinimaa
• Antero Niittymäki
• Janne Niskala
• Petteri Nokelainen
• Mika Noronen
• Fredrik Norrena
• Petteri Nummelin
• Teppo Numminen
• Pasi Nurminen
• Janne Ojanen
• Oskar Osala
• Marko Palo
• Ville Peltonen
• Harri Pesonen
• Janne Pesonen
• Tuomas Pihlman
• Antti Pihlström
• Joni Pitkänen
• Mika Pyörälä
• Timo Pärssinen

R–Z

• Karri Rämö
• Joonas Rask
• Tuukka Rask
• Pekka Rinne
• Kimmo Rintanen
• Jani Rita
• Arto Ruotanen
• Reijo Ruotsalainen
• Christian Ruuttu
• Jarkko Ruutu
• Tuomo Ruutu
• Jussi Rynnäs
• Simo Saarinen
• Anssi Salmela
• Tony Salmelainen
• Sami Salo
• Tommi Santala
• Teemu Selänne
• Ilkka Sinisalo
• Ville Sirén
• Petri Skriko
• Mika Strömberg
• Kai Suikkanen
• Ari Sulander
• Raimo Summanen
• Timo Susi
• Keijo Säilynoja
• Jukka Tammi
• Esa Tikkanen
• Kimmo Timonen
• Jari Torkki
• Vesa Toskala
• Pekka Tuomisto
• Antti Törmänen
• Petri Varis
• Sami Vatanen
• Hannu Virta
• Jukka Virtanen
• Ossi Väänänen
• Petteri Wirtanen
• Juha Ylönen

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

• Mikael Agricola
• Bishop Henry
• Lauri Ingman
• Markku Koivisto
• Lars Levi Læstadius
• Leo
• Kari Mäkinen
• Jukka Paarma
• Paavo Ruotsalainen
• John Vikström

Writers

See also: List of Finnish women writers

• Juhani Aho – first professional writer
• Jean M. Auel – American writer of Finnish descent, born as Jean Marie Untinen
• 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 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

• 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)
• 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 – part 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)
• Nils-Aslak Valkeapää – Sami activist (1943–2001)
• Folke West – traveller

See also

• List of Swedish-speaking Finns
• List of people by nationality