FAMOUS FINNS - FAMOUS peopple from FINLAND -

List of Finns

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

Contents 1 Actors 2 Architects 3 Visual artists 4 Business people 5 Computer pioneers 6 Designers 7 Filmmakers 8 Musicians 8.1 Opera 8.2 Classical 8.3 Folk music 8.4 Electronic music 8.5 Other 9 Philosophers 10 Politicians 11 Scientists 12 Soldiers 13 Sportspersons 13.1 Athletics 13.2 Football 13.3 Ice hockey 13.4 Motorsports 13.5 Winter sports 13.6 Other 14 Theologians, clergymen 15 Writers 16 Other notables

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 – Finland's perhaps first actress. (1800–1865)
• Markku Toikka
• Samuli Edelmann

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)

Visual artists

• Wäinö Aaltonen – sculptor (1894 – 1966)
• Eija-Liisa Ahtila – photographer, video artist (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
• Eila Hiltunen – sculptor (1922 – 2003)
• Tove Jansson painter, illustrator, and cartoonist of Moomin
• Antti Jokinen – video director in Hollywood
• Eero Järnefelt – painter (1863 – 1937)
• Rudolf Koivu – illustrator (1890 – 1946)
• Mauri Kunnas
• Touko Laaksonen (Tom of Finland) – fetish artist (1920 – 1991)
• Kari T. Leppänen – cartoonist
• Totte Mannes – painter
• Arno Rafael Minkkinen – photographer
• Helvi Mustonen – painter
• Kalervo Palsa – painter (1947 – 1987)
• Tuulikki Pietilä – graphic artist
• 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)

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 – former CEO of Nokia
• Lasse Kurkilahti – CEO of Kemira
• Jorma Ollila – ex-CEO of Nokia
• Kirsti Paakkanen, – former 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)

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
• 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
• Monica Groop – mezzosoprano
• Jorma Hynninen – baritone
• Soile Isokoski – soprano
• 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)
• 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
• Maria Kalaniemi – folk music accordion player

Electronic music

• Miika Eloranta & Janne Mansnerus – musicians, producers (as Super8 & Tab)
• Jori Hulkkonen – DJ, musician, producer
• Erkki Kurenniemi – musician, inventor
• Lassi Lehto aka. Jimi Tenor – acid jazz musician
• Lassi Nikko aka. Brothomstates aka. Dune – musician
• Sasu Ripatti aka. Vladislav Delay – musician, DJ
• Esa Juhani Ruoho aka. Lackluster – musician
• Jaakko Salovaara aka. JS16 – musician, producer – musician, producer
• Mika Vainio – musician, member of Pan Sonic
• Ville Virtanen aka. Darude
• Ilpo Väisänen – musician, member of Pan Sonic

Other

• Marko Saaresto – lyricist, lead singer of rock band Poets of the Fall
• Olli Tukiainen – lead guitarist of rock band Poets of the Fall
• Markus Kaarlonen – "Captain" keyboardist and producer of rock band Poets of the Fall
• Jaska Makinen – rhythm guitarist of rock band Poets of the Fall
• Jani "Hellboy" Snellman – bass guitarist of rock band Poets of the Fall
• Jari Salminen – drummer of rock band Poets of the Fall
• Antti Boman – guitarist and vocalist of Demilich
• 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
• Lasse Heikkilä – composer, songwriter, producer, vocalist, and player (of multiple instruments)
• 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
• 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 –former guitarist of Hanoi Rocks, rock musician
• Michael Monroe – former singer of Hanoi Rocks, rock musician
• Jukka Nevalainen – drummer of Nightwish
• Sara Nunes – singer
• Anne Nurmi – vocalist and keyboard player of Lacrimosa
• 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
• Maukka Perusjätkä – punk rocker
• 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
• Edward Vesala – jazz-musician, composer, drummer (1945–1999)
• 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 of Children of Bodom
• 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, President of Finland

• Esko Aho – prime minister 1991–1995
• Martti Ahtisaari – UN diplomat, Nobelist, 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
• Juho Kusti Paasikivi – president 1946–1956 (1870 – 1956)
• Lauri Kristian Relander – president 1925–1931 (1883 – 1942)
• Elisabeth Rehn – politician
• 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
• 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 (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 (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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Petri Pasanen
• Juhani Peltonen
• Roni Porokara
• Aki Riihilahti
• Aulis Rytkönen
• Teemu Tainio
• Hannu Tihinen
• Mika Väyrynen
• Mika Ääritalo

Ice hockey

• Antti Bruun
• Aki Berg
• Sean Bergenheim
• Niklas Bäckström
• Valtteri Filppula
• Mikael Granlund
• Matti Hagman
• Niklas Hagman
• Riku Hahl
• Raimo Helminen
• Kim Hirschovits
• Jarkko Immonen
• Jussi Jokinen
• Olli Jokinen
• Jan-Mikael Juutilainen
• 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
• Antti Niemi
• 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
• Tuukka Rask
• 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 (1974 – 2012)
• Pentti Airikkala – rally driver
• Markku Alén – rally driver
• Samuli Aro – enduro rider
• 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
• Jukka-Pekka Mattila – Offshore 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 – female motorcycle racer
• Keke Rosberg – Formula One driver, World Champion 1982
• Nico Rosberg – Formula One driver
• Harri Rovanperä – rally driver
• Kimi Räikkönen – Formula One driver, World Champion in 2007; rally 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
• 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)
• Connie Garner - née Spannari – Miss World Fitness
• 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)
• 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
• 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
• Jani Sievinen – swimmer
• 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
• Kari Mäkinen
• Jukka Paarma
• Paavo Ruotsalainen
• John Vikström

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 (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 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
• Hella Wuolijoki
• Mika Waltari (1908 – 1979)
• Kim Weckström
• Lauri Viita – poet and novelist known for extreme rhyme skill
• Kjell Westö

Other notables

• Simo Aalto – stage magaician
• 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 TV-program Madventures
• Tuomas "Tunna" Milonoff – starring in the Finnish TV-program Madventures

See also: List of Swedish-speaking Finns, List of people by nationality