Finn

This is a list of people from Finland, i.e. of noted Finns:

Actors

• Ida Aalberg (1858 – 1915)
• Aino Ackté (1876 – 1944)
• Jouko Ahola
• Olavi Ahonen
• Irina Björklund
• Anna Easteden
• Liisa Evastina
• Peter Franzén
• Svana Faiga
• George Gaynes
• Gina Goldberg
• Ville Haapasalo
• Anna-Leena Härkönen
• Hannes Häyrinen
• Ansa Ikonen
• Kata Kärkkäinen
• Marta Kristen
• Sirpa Lane
• Vesa-Matti Loiri
• Masa Niemi
• Maila "Vampira" Nurmi
• Kati Outinen
• Esa Pakarinen
• Tauno Palo (1905 – 1982)
• Pertti "Spede" Pasanen (1930 – 2001)
• Matti Pellonpää (1951 – 1995)
• Lasse Pöysti
• Esko Roine
• Antton "Ensamn" Rissanen
• Joni Ryhänen (1990 – )
• Henry Saari
• Albert Salmi (1928 – 1990)
• Pentti Siimes
• Maria Silfvan – Finland's perhaps first actress. (1800–1865)
• Yanti Sommer
• Markku Toikka
• Ritva Valkama

Architects

• Aino Aalto (1894 – 1949)
• Alvar Aalto (1898 – 1976)
• Marco Casagrande (1971 – )
• Carl Ludvig Engel (1778 – 1840)
• Juha Leiviskä (1936 – )
• Yrjö Lindegren (1900 – 1952)
• Juhani Pallasmaa (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)

Artists

• Wäinö Aaltonen – sculptor (1894 – 1966)
• Eija-Liisa Ahtila – photographer, video artist (1959 –)
• Helena Arnell – painter (1697 – 1751)
• Margareta Capsia – painter 1682 – 1759)
• Markus Copper – sculptor (1968 – )
• 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
• Helena Hietanen – sculptor
• Eila Hiltunen – sculptor (1922 – 2003)
• Petri Hiltunen – graphic artist and cartoonist
• Tuomas Holopainen – pianist and founder of Nightwish
• Mikko Ijäs visual artist and researher of fine arts
• Tove Jansson painter, illustrator, and cartoonist of Moomin
• Antti Jokinen – video director in Hollywood
• Eero Järnefelt – painter (1863 – 1937)
• Anssi Kasitonni
• Rudolf Koivu – illustrator (1890 – 1946)
• Mauri Kunnas
• Tero Laaksonen – painter (1953 – )
• Touko Laaksonen (Tom of Finland) – fetish artist (1920 – 1991)
• Ville Laaksonen – painter (1978 – )
• Kari T. Leppänen – cartoonist
• Lauri Luhta
• Totte Mannes – painter
• Arno Rafael Minkkinen – photographer
• Helvi Mustonen – painter
• Kalervo Palsa – painter (1947 – 1987)
• Tuulikki Pietilä – graphic artist
• Erkki Pirtola – painter, video artist, performance artist, cartoonist
• Papu Pirtola – performance artist, peat artist
• Pilvari Pirtola – media artist
• Laila Pullinen – sculptor (1933 – )
• Osmo Rauhala – painter (1957 – )
• Elena Ringo – painter
• Juho Rissanen – painter (1873 – 1950)
• Helene Schjerfbeck – painter (1862 – 1946)
• Hugo Simberg – painter (1873 – 1917)
• Kaj Stenvall – painter (1951 – )
• Kari Suomalainen – painter and cartoonist (1920 – 1999)
• Reidar Särestöniemi – painter (1925 – 1981)
• Kain Tapper – sculptor (1930 – 2004)
• Matti Waskilampi

Business people

• Sari Baldauf – former Nokia executive
• Jorma Eloranta – CEO of Metso
• Aatos Erkko – minister, billionaire and major owner of Sanoma
• Harry Harkimo – a 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, founder of Nokia
• Kari Kairamo – ex-CEO of Nokia (1932 – 1988)
• Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo – CEO of Nokia
• Lasse Kurkilahti – CEO of Kemira
• Jorma Ollila – ex-CEO of Nokia
• Kirsti Paakkanen, – CEO of Marimekko
• Karl Stockmann – Founder of the Stockmann department store
• Björn Wahlroos – CEO of Sampo
• Rudolf Walden – founder of United Paper Mills (1878 – 1946)

Composers and conductors

• Kalevi Aho
• B. H. Crusell
• George de Godzinsky
• Uuno Klami
• Joonas Kokkonen
• Juhani Komulainen
• Toivo Kuula (1883 – 1918)
• Magnus Lindberg
• Aarre Merikanto (1893 – 1958)
• Oskar Merikanto (1868 – 1924)
• Selim Palmgren (1878 – 1951)
• Einojuhani Rautavaara
• Kaija Saariaho
• Aulis Sallinen
• Esa-Pekka Salonen
• Jukka-Pekka Saraste
• Leif Segerstam
• Jean Sibelius (1865 – 1957)
• Pekka Simojoki
• Osmo Vänskä

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
• Nico Hämäläinen – creator of Draynor
• Tatu Ylönen – creator of SSH

Designers

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

Filmmakers

• Jörn Donner
• Renny Harlin (1959 –)
• Klaus Härö
• Risto Jarva (1934 – 1977)
• Matti Kassila
• Aki Kaurismäki
• Mika Kaurismäki
• Ere Kokkonen
• Edvin Laine
• Jarmo Lampela (1964 –)
• Armand Lohikoski (1912 – 2005)
• Rauni Mollberg
• Visa Mäkinen
• Claes Olsson
• Risto Orko (1899 – 2001)
• Spede Pasanen (1930 – 2001)
• Eino Ruutsalo
• Mauritz Stiller (1883 – 1928)
• Samuli Torssonen
• Mika Taanila
• Karoliina Tuovinen
• Casper Wrede (1929 – 1998, also Theatre & TV Director)

Musicians

Opera

• Aino Ackté – soprano
• Aki Alamikkotervo – tenor
• Alma Fohström – soprano
• Hanna Granfelt – soprano
• Monica Groop – mezzosoprano
• Jorma Hynninen – baritone
• Soile Isokoski – soprano
• Karita Mattila – soprano
• Lea Piltti – soprano
• Aulikki Rautawaara – soprano
• Esa Ruuttunen – baritone
• Jaakko Ryhänen – bass
• Matti Salminen – bass
• Martti Talvela – bass
• Juha Uusitalo – bass-bariton
• Anita Välkki – soprano

Classical

• Kalevi Aho – composer
• Paavo Berglund – conductor
• Linda Brava – violinist
• Mikko Franck – conductor
• Ralf Gothóni – pianist (father of Maris)
• Maris Gothóni – pianist (son of Ralf) and husband of composer Unsuk Chin
• Risto Lauriala – pianist
• Janne Mertanen – pianist
• Olli Mustonen – pianist
• Sakari Oramo – 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

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

Electronic music

• JS16 – musician, producer
• Jimi Tenor – acid jazz musician
• Lackluster aka. Esa Juhani Ruoho – musician
• Brothomstates aka. Lassi Pekka Nikko, aka. Dune – musician
• Mika Vainio – musician, member of Pan Sonic
• Ilpo Väisänen – musician, member of Pan Sonic
• Jori Hulkkonen – DJ, musician, producer
• Erkki Kurenniemi – musician, inventor
• M. A. Numminen – musician
• Vladislav Delay aka. Sasu Ripatti – musician, DJ
• DJ Muffler aka. Konsta Mikkonen – musician, DJ, producer
• DJ Physics aka. Glenn Grip – musician, DJ, producer

Other

• Ismo Alanko – rock musician
• Carola – jazz and pop singer
• Kirill Babitzin (1950 – 2007)
• Elastinen – rap musician, half of the rap duo Fintelligens
• Irwin Goodman aka Antti Hammarberg – Protestsinger (1943 – 1991)
• Hector
• Aki Hakala – drummer of The Rasmus
• Eero Heinonen – bassist of The Rasmus
• Reino Helismaa (1913 – 1965)
• Marco Hietala – bassist of Nightwish
• Sami Hinkka – bassist and lyricist of Ensiferum
• Tuomas Holopainen – composer, songwriter & keyboardplayer of Nightwish
• Tony Kakko – vocalist, composer and songwriter of Sonata Arctica
• Jari Kainulainen – ex-bassist of Stratovarius
• Maria Kalaniemi
• Mika Karppinen – Drummer from the band HIM
• Perttu Kivilaakso – cellist of cello-metal band Apocalyptica
• Viktor Klimenko
• Samuli Kosminen
• Timo Kotipelto – Lead Singer of Stratovarius
• Sakari Kukko
• Mikko Kuustonen – Singer-songwriter
• Ari Lähdekorpi – composer and guitarist
• Ville Laihiala – frontman of Sentenced and Poisonblack
• Alexi Laiho – frontman and lead guitarist of Children of Bodom
• Jonne Aaron – frontman of Negative
• Roope Latvala – guitarist of Children of Bodom
• Juice Leskinen – rock musician
• Jani Liimatainen – Former guitarist for Sonata Arctica
• Petri Lindroos – Guitarist and main vocalist of Ensiferum and former Norther
• Mikko Lindström – Guitarist from the band HIM
• Jyrki Linnankivi – lead singer of the 69 Eyes
• Tommy Mansikka-Aho
• Jarkko Martikainen
• Jari Mäenpää – Composer, singer and guitarist of Ensiferum and Wintersun
• Andy McCoy – rock musician
• Michael Monroe – rock musician
• Jukka Nevalainen – drummer of Nightwish
• Sara Nunes – singer
• Tuomari Nurmio
• Mikko Paananen – Bass player for the band HIM
• Janne Parviainen – drummer of Ensiferum, Sinergy and Barathrum
• Hanna Pakarinen – Finland's first Idols winner, pop singer
• Paleface – rap musician
• Mika Pohjola – Jazz pianist and composer
• Pekka Pohjola
• Kimmo Pohjonen
• Lauri Porra
• Tomi Putaansuu – frontman and singer of Lordi
• Janne Puurtinen – Keyboard player from the band HIM
• Jaska Raatikainen – drummer for Children of Bodom
• Sami Raatikainen – guitarist for Necrophagist
• Iiro Rantala
• Pauli Rantasalmi – guitarist of The Rasmus
• Tapio Rautavaara
• Henkka Seppälä – bassist for Children of Bodom
• Jari Sillanpää – Finnish "tango king", singer
• Sir Christus – former guitarist for the band Negative
• Aki Sirkesalo – singer (1962 – 2004)
• Emmi Silvennoinen – keyboardist of Ensiferum
• Topi Sorsakoski – schlager and rock'n'roll singer
• Gösta Sundqvist
• Jonna Tervomaa – pop singer
• Markus Toivonen – founder, guitarist, songwriter and backing vocalist of Ensiferum
• Timo Tolkki – Guitarist and Ex. Singer of Stratovarius
• Jukka Tolonen
• Eicca Toppinen – cellist of cello-metal band Apocalyptica
• Antti Tuisku – pop musician, Idols star
• 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
• Jussi Heikki Tapio Vuori-drummer of the 69 Eyes
• Olavi Virta – singer
• Laura Voutilainen – pop singer
• Emppu Vuorinen – guitarist of Nightwish
• Maija Vilkkumaa – pop/rock singer
• Janne Wirman – Keyboard player from Children of Bodom
• Lauri Ylönen – lead singer of The Rasmus
• A. W. Yrjänä – rock singer, bass guitarist, song writer, poet

Philosophers

• Timo Airaksinen
• Lili Alanen
• Anders Chydenius
• Arto Haapala
• Leila Haaparanta
• Sara Heinämaa
• Jaakko Hintikka
• Lars Hertzberg
• Pekka Himanen – philosopher, technologist
• Matti Häyry
• Eino Kaila (1890 – 1958)
• Yrjö Kallinen
• Raili Kauppi
• Jari Kauppinen
• Juho Kitti (1823 – 1923)
• Oiva Ketonen
• S. Albert Kivinen
• Simo Knuuttila
• Sven Krohn
• Eerik Lagerspetz
• Heidi Liehu
• Pertti Lindfors
• Pentti Linkola
• Eeva-Liisa Manner
• André Maury
• Tuomas Nevanlinna
• Ilkka Niiniluoto
• Max Nurmi
• Sami Pihlström
• Jan von Plato
• Pauli Pylkkö
• Paavo Pylkkänen
• Ingmar Pörn
• Veikko Rantala
• Yrjö Reenpää
• Ilona Reiners
• Martina Reuter
• Esa Saarinen
• Seppo Sajama
• Juha Sihvola
• Matti Sintonen
• Hannu Sivenius
• J. V. Snellman
• Erik Stenius
• Eero Tarasti
• Raimo Tuomela
• Thomas Wallgren
• Edward Westermarck
• Georg Henrik von Wright
• Mauri Ylä-Kotola

Politicians

See also: Prime Minister of Finland, President of Finland

• Esko Aho – prime minister 1991–1995
• Martti Ahtisaari – UN diplomat, Nobelist, president 1994-2000
• Markus Drake – Green pro-narcotics activist
• Karl-August Fagerholm – politician (1901 – 1984)
• Tarja Halonen – first female president, 2000–
• Satu Hassi – MEP
• Heidi Hautala – [Member of the European Parliament|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)
• 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
• Juho Kusti Paasikivi – president 1946–1956 (1870 – 1956)
• Leena Rauhala – politician
• Lauri Kristian Relander – president 1925–1931 (1883 – 1942)
• Elisabeth Rehn – politician
• Heikki Ritavuori – assassinated minister (1880 – 1922)
• Risto Ryti – president 1940–1944 (1889 – 1956)
• Aarne Saarinen – communist politician
• 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–
• Johannes Virolainen – prime minister in 1964–1966 (1914 – 2000)
• Hella Wuolijoki

Scientists

• Lars Valerian Ahlfors – mathematician, Fields Medalist 1936 (1907 – 1996)
• Erik Allardt – sociologist (born 1925)
• 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)
• Pehr Kalm – botanist (1716 – 1779)
• Rafael Karsten – anthropologist
• Teuvo Kohonen – neurocomputing pioneer
• Jussi V. Koivisto – economist
• Olli Lehto – mathematician (born 1925)
• Anto Leikola – biologist, historian, science writer
• Anders Johan Lexell – mathematician, astronomer (1740 – 1784)
• Ernst Lindelöf – mathematician, researcher of function theory and topology (1870 – 1946)
• Lorenz Lindelöf – mathematician, researcher of variational calculus (1827 – 1908)
• Olli Lounasmaa – physicist, researcher of low-temperature physics (1930 – 2002)
• Hjalmar Mellin – mathematician (1854 – 1933)
• Claus Montonen – physicist
• Pekka Myrberg – mathematician (1892 – 1976)
• Risto Näätänen – psychologist and neuroscientist (born 1939)
• Edvard Neovius – mathematician, senator (1851 – 1917)
• 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, did not invent general relativity (1881-1923)
• Liisi Oterma – astronomer (1915 – 2001)
• Leena Palotie – gene scientist
• Simo Parpola – orientalist, assyriologist
• Matti Pitkänen – physicist
• Helena Ranta – pathologist, forensic dentist
• Juha Suoranta – educational researcher
• 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)
• Jussi Väisälä – mathematician (born 1935)

• Kalle Väisälä – mathematician (1893 – 1968)
• 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)
• Seppo Ylä-Herttuala – gene therapy researcher

Soldiers

• Aksel Airo – general (1898 – 1985)
• Adolf Ehrnrooth – general (1905 – 2004)
• Axel Heinrichs – general (1890 – 1965)
• Simo Häyhä – first lieutenant, sharpshooter (1906 – 2002)
• Eino Ilmari Juutilainen – pilot, twice knight of Mannerheim cross
• Jorma Karhunen – pilot, aviation writer
• Ruben Lagus – major general (1896 – 1956)
• Gustaf Erik Magnusson – father of Finnish fighter tactics
• 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 (2005 –)
• Viljam Pylkäs – Better known as Antti Rokka from movie Tuntematon Sotilas (The unknown soldier)
• 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 (Alias Larry Throne) – 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)

Sportspersons

Athletics

• Asprihanal Pekka Aalto – Ultramarathoner and Extreme Endurance Athlete
• Arto Bryggare – hurdling athlete
• Sari Essayah – race walker, World champion
• Tommi Evilä – long jumper
• Volmari Iso-Hollo – runner, two Olympic gold medals (1907 – 1969)
• Arsi Harju – shot putter, Olympic champion
• Eduard Hämäläinen – decathlete
• Arto Härkönen – javelin thrower, Olympic champion
• Gunnar Höckert – runner, Olympic champion (1910 – 1940)
• Akilles Järvinen – decathlete (1905 – 1943)
• Matti Järvinen – javelin thrower, Olympic champion (1909 – 1985)
• Verner Järvinen – discus thrower, Olympic champion (1870 – 1941)
• Olli-Pekka Karjalainen – hammer thrower
• Veikko Karvonen – marathon runner (Boston Marathon winner 1954)
• Elias Katz – runner, Olympic champion (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)
• Harry 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
• 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
• 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
• Vilho Tuulos – triple jumper, Olympic champion (1895 – 1967)
• Pekka Vasala – runner, Olympic champion
• Lasse Virén – runner, four Olympic gold medals
• Antti Viskari – marathon runner (Boston Marathon winner 1956)
• Paavo Yrjölä – decathlete, Olympic champion

Football

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

Ice hockey

• Aki Berg
• Niklas Bäckström
• Sean Bergenheim
• Valtteri Filppula
• Matti Hagman
• Niklas Hagman
• Riku Hahl
• Raimo Helminen
• Jarkko Immonen
• Jussi Jokinen
• Olli Jokinen
• Niko Kapanen
• Sami Kapanen
• Miikka Kiprusoff
• Mikko Koivu
• Saku Koivu – current IOC member
• Lasse Kukkonen
• Jari Kurri
• Antti Laaksonen
• Jere Lehtinen
• Kari Lehtonen
• Mikko Lehtonen
• Jyrki Lumme
• Toni Lydman
• Pentti Lund
• Jussi Markkanen
• Antti Miettinen
• Ville Nieminen
• Janne Niinimaa
• Antero Niittymäki
• Petteri Nokelainen
• Mika Noronen
• Fredrik Norrena
• Petteri Nummelin
• Teppo Numminen
• Ville Peltonen
• Tuomas Pihlman
• Joni Pitkänen
• Timo Pärssinen
• Karri Rämö
• Pekka Rinne
• Jani Rita
• Reijo Ruotsalainen
• Christian Ruuttu
• Jarkko Ruutu
• Tuomo Ruutu
• Tony Salmelainen
• Sami Salo
• Tommi Santala
• Teemu Selänne
• Ilkka Sinisalo
• Petri Skriko
• Esa Tikkanen
• Kimmo Timonen
• Vesa Toskala
• Ossi Väänänen

Motorsports

• Mika Ahola – enduro rider
• Pentti Airikkala – rally driver
• Markku Alén – rally driver
• Samuli Aro – enduro rider
• Marko Tarkkala – enduro rider
• Toni Gardemeister – rally driver
• Marcus Grönholm – rally driver
• Mikko Hirvonen – rally driver
• Mika Häkkinen – Formula One driver
• Mika Kallio – motorcycle racer
• Juha Kankkunen – rally driver
• Leo Kinnunen – Formula One driver
• Heikki Kovalainen – Formula One driver
• Teuvo Länsivuori – motorcycle racer
• JJ Lehto – Formula One driver
• Hannu Mikkola – rally driver
• Heikki Mikkola – motocross racer
• Timo Mäkinen – rally driver
• Tommi Mäkinen – rally driver
• Kauko Nieminen – speedway racer
• Taru Rinne – female motorcycle racer
• Keke Rosberg – Formula One driver
• Nico Rosberg – Formula One driver
• Harri Rovanperä – rally driver
• Kimi Räikkönen – Formula One 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
• Iikka Backstrom – snowboarder
• Jukka Erätuli – snowboarder
• Eero Ettala – snowboarder
• 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
• Lauri Heiskari – snowboarder
• 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
• 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)
• 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)
• Joni Malmi – snowboarder
• Hannu Manninen – Nordic combined
• Marjo Matikainen-Kallström – cross-country skier
• Juha Mieto – cross-country skier
• Kaija Mustonen – speed skater
• Mika Myllylä – cross-country skier
• Eero Mäntyranta – cross-country skier, three Olympic gold medals
• Eero Niemelä – snowboarder
• Toni Nieminen – ski jumper, two Olympic gold medals
• Ari-Pekka Nikkola – ski jumper, two Olympic gold medals
• Matti Nykänen – ski jumper
• Jussi Oksanen – snowboarder
• Kalle Palander – skier
• Tanja Poutiainen – skier
• Jari Puikkonen – ski jumper
• Siiri Rantanen – cross-country skier
• Marjut Rolig – cross-country skier
• Mikko Ronkainen – freestyle skier
• Veli Saarinen – cross-country skier
• Julius Skutnabb – speed skater
• Jani Soininen – ski jumper
• Heikki Sorsa – snowboarder
• Helena Takalo – cross-country skier
• Jaakko Tallus – Nordic combined
• Jussi Tarvainen – snowboarder
• Paavo Tikkanen – snowboarder
• Jouko Törmänen – ski jumper
• Clas Thunberg – speed skater, five Olympic gold medals
• Tuomo Ylipulli – ski jumper

Other

• Paavo Aaltonen – gymnast, three Olympic gold medals (1919 – 1962)
• Jouko Ahola – World's strongest man champion twice
• Kalle Anttila – wrestler, two Olympic gold medals (1887 – 1975)
• 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
• Pertti Karppinen – rower, three Olympic gold medals
• Antti Kasvio – swimmer
• Marko Kemppainen – skeet shooter
• Mika Koivuniemi – ten-pin bowler
• Väinö Kokkinen – wrestler, two Olympic gold medals (1899 – 1967)
• Markku Kuittinen – soaring world champion
• Pentti Linnosvuo – sport shooter, two Olympic gold medals
• Lasse Lintila – ten-pin bowler
• Hanno Möttölä – basketball player, first Finnish NBA player
• Jarkko Nieminen – tennis player
• Anne Nurmi – singer, keyboard Player of Lacrimosa
• 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
• Jani Sievinen – swimmer
• Tarja Turunen – soprano singer former lead vocalist of Nightwish
• Markku Uusipaavalniemi – curler
• 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
• Jukka Paarma
• Paavo Ruotsalainen
• John Vikström

Writers

• Juhani Aho – first professional writer
• Gunnar Björling
• 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
• Boris Hurtta – science fiction writer
• Antti Hyry
• Anna-Leena Härkönen
• Risto Isomäki – science fiction writer
• Tove Jansson – children's author of Moomin fame (1914 – 2001)
• Eeva Joenpelto
• Maria Jotuni (1880 – 1943)
• Pasi Ilmari Jääskeläinen
• Markus Kajo – comedy writer (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
• Juha Lehtonen – master mariner, marine author and playwright
• Kimmo Lehtonen – science fiction novelist
• Eino Leino (1878 – 1926)
• Rosa Liksom
• Väinö Linna – author of The Unknown Soldier (1920 – 1992)
• 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)
• Paavo Rintala
• Päivi & Santeri
• Johan Ludvig Runeberg – national poet (1804 – 1877)
• Pentti Saarikoski
• Esa Sariola
• Mauri Sariola – detective writer
• Frans Emil Sillanpää – Nobelist (1888 – 1964)
• Johanna Sinisalo
• Tommy Tabermann – also known from tv-series Have I Got News For You aka Uutisvuoto
• Marton Taiga – pseudonym of Martti Löfberg
• Jari Tervo – also known from tv-series Have I Got News For You aka Uutisvuoto
• Märta Tikkanen
• Zacharias Topelius – author and historian (1818 – 1898)
• Jouko Turkka
• Antti Tuuri
• Kaari Utrio
• Klaus Vala
• Hella Wuolijoki
• Mika Waltari (1908 – 1979)
• Kim Weckström
• Maarit Verronen
• Lauri Viita – poet and novelist known for extreme rhyme skill
• Kjell Westö

Other notables

• Tuula Laurila – notably talented Swedish teacher
• Joel Kivinen – professional wrestler
• 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
• Ami Hasan – advertising guru
• 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
• Pekka Parviainen – amateur astronomer and famed aurora borealis and general astronomy photographer
• 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)
• 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