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 an incomplete list that may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries.
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
Main article: List of Finnish 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)
Business people
- Sari Baldauf – former Nokia executive
- Jorma Eloranta – CEO of Metso
- Aatos Erkko – minister, billionaire and major owner of Sanoma
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Jukka-Pekka Saraste – conductor
- Jean Sibelius – composer
- John Storgårds – conductor
- Elina Vähälä - violinist
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
- 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 1994–2000
- Karl-August Fagerholm – politician (1901–1984)
- Tarja Halonen – first female president, 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 1937–1940 (1873–1940)
- Urho Kekkonen – president 1956–1982 (1900–1986)
- Mari Kiviniemi – prime minister 2010–
- Mauno Koivisto – president 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 2012–
- Juho Kusti Paasikivi – president 1946–1956 (1870–1956)
- Lauri Kristian Relander – president 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 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 1919–1925 (1865–1952)
- Ulf Sundqvist
- Pehr Evind Svinhufvud – regent and president 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
- 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[1]
- 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
- Robert Zhang - "efficient 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
- 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
- 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
See also
- List of Swedish-speaking Finns
- List of people by nationality