List of Finns

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

Actors and actresses

 * Ida Aalberg (1858–1915)
 * Jouko Ahola
 * Joalin Loukamaa
 * Olavi Ahonen
 * Irina Björklund
 * Anna Easteden
 * Samuli Edelmann
 * Peter Franzén
 * George Gaynes (1927–2019)
 * Gina Goldberg
 * Beat-Sofi Granqvist (1869 – 1960)
 * Ville Haapasalo
 * Anna-Leena Härkönen
 * Ansa Ikonen
 * Anni-Kristiina Juuso
 * Kata Kärkkäinen
 * Krista Kosonen
 * Marta Kristen
 * Mikko Leppilampi
 * Vesa-Matti Loiri
 * Masa Niemi
 * Maila "Vampira" Nurmi
 * Kati Outinen
 * Jasper Pääkkönen
 * Turo Pajala
 * Tauno Palo (1905–1982)
 * Pertti "Spede" Pasanen (1930–2001)
 * Matti Pellonpää (1951–1995)
 * Lasse Pöysti
 * Oiva Sala
 * Pentti Siimes
 * Maria Silfvan (1800–1865) – possibly Finland's first actress
 * Markku Toikka

Architects

 * Aino Aalto (1894–1949)
 * Alvar Aalto (1898–1976)
 * Marco Casagrande (born 1971)
 * Herman Gesellius (1874–1916)
 * Elna Kiljander (1889–1970)
 * Juha Leiviskä (born 1936)
 * Yrjö Lindegren (1900–1952)
 * Armas Lindgren (1874–1929)
 * Wivi Lönn (1872–1966)
 * 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)
 * Uno Ullberg (1879–1944)
 * 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)
 * Emil Cedercreutz – sculptor (1879–1949)
 * Albert Edelfelt – painter (1854–1905)
 * Magnus Enckell – painter (1870–1925)
 * Gunnar Finne – sculptor (1886–1952)
 * Hilda Flodin – sculptor (1877–1958)
 * Alina Forsman – sculptor (1845–1899)
 * Akseli Gallen-Kallela – painter (1865–1931)
 * Jorma Gallen-Kallela – painter (1898–1939)
 * Eemil Halonen – sculptor (1875–1950)
 * Pekka Halonen – painter (1865–1933)
 * Edith Hammar – illustrator and cartoonist (born 1992)
 * Edvin Hevonkoski – sculptor (1923–2009)
 * Eila Hiltunen – sculptor (1922–2003)
 * Kari Huhtamo – sculptor (born 1943)
 * Tuuli Hypén – cartoonist (born 1983)
 * Tove Jansson – painter, illustrator, and cartoonist of Moomin (1914–2001)
 * Viktor Jansson – sculptor (1886–1958)
 * Antti Jokinen – video director in Hollywood (born 1968)
 * Eero Järnefelt – painter (1863–1937)
 * Ville Juurikkala – photographer (born 1980)
 * Rudolf Koivu – illustrator (1890–1946)
 * Mauri Kunnas (born 1950)
 * Touko Laaksonen (Tom of Finland) – fetish artist (1920–1991)
 * Kari T. Leppänen – cartoonist (born 1945)
 * Sven Lokka – painter and writer (1924-2008)
 * 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)
 * Walter Runeberg – sculptor (1838–1920)
 * Sampsa – painter and street artist
 * Helene Schjerfbeck – painter (1862–1946)
 * Hugo Simberg – painter (1873–1917)
 * Venny Soldan-Brofeldt – painter (1863–1945)
 * Kaj Stenvall – painter (born 1951)
 * Kari Suomalainen – painter and cartoonist (1920–1999)
 * Reidar Särestöniemi – painter (1925–1981)
 * Kain Tapper – sculptor (1930–2004)
 * Ellen Thesleff – painter (1869–1954)
 * Salla Tykkä
 * Ville Vallgren – sculptor (1855–1940)
 * Marja Vallila – sculptor (born 1950)

Business people

 * Sari Baldauf – former Nokia executive
 * Jorma Eloranta – CEO of Metso (2004-2011)
 * Aatos Erkko – minister, billionaire and major owner of Sanoma
 * Maija-Liisa Friman (born 1952) – board member of several companies
 * Harry Harkimo – businessman in ice hockey business
 * Antti Herlin – chairman of the board of KONE, the richest man in Finland with assets worth over 1 billion euros in KONE stock owned through his holding companies
 * Sara Hildén (1905–1993) – businesswoman and art collector
 * Fredrik Idestam – industrialist and founder of Nokia
 * Kari Kairamo – former CEO of Nokia (1932–1988)
 * Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo – former CEO of Nokia
 * 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 – Chairman of Sampo
 * Rudolf Walden (1878–1946) – founder of United Paper Mills
 * 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
 * Maija Isola
 * Valto Kokko
 * Stefan Lindfors
 * Vuokko Nurmesniemi
 * Katja Pettersson
 * Timo Sarpaneva
 * Esteri Tomula
 * Tapio Wirkkala

Filmmakers

 * Zaida Bergroth
 * Anna Eriksson
 * Renny Harlin
 * Erkki Karu (1887–1935)
 * Aki Kaurismäki
 * Mika Kaurismäki
 * Ere Kokkonen (1938–2008)
 * Juho Kuosmanen
 * Edvin Laine (1905–1989)
 * Glory Leppänen (1901–1979)
 * Aku Louhimies
 * Risto Orko (1899–2001)
 * Spede Pasanen (1930–2001)
 * Diana Ringo
 * Teuvo Tulio (1912–2000)
 * Valentin Vaala (1909–1976)

Classical

 * Kalevi Aho – composer
 * Paavo Berglund – conductor
 * Linda Brava – violinist
 * Mikko Franck – conductor
 * Ralf Gothóni – pianist (father of Maris)
 * Ilkka Kuusisto – composer
 * Pekka Kuusisto – conductor, violinist, composer
 * Jaakko Kuusisto – conductor, violinist, composer
 * Risto Lauriala – pianist
 * Hannu Lintu – conductor
 * Klaus Mäkelä – conductor, cellist
 * Janne Mertanen – pianist
 * Olli Mustonen – pianist, composer
 * Sakari Oramo – conductor
 * Selim Palmgren – composer, pianist, conductor
 * Jorma Panula – conductor and conducting educator pioneer
 * Einojuhani Rautavaara – composer
 * Herman Rechberger – composer
 * Santtu-Matias Rouvali – conductor, percussionist
 * Kaija Saariaho – composer
 * Esa-Pekka Salonen – conductor, composer
 * Jukka-Pekka Saraste – conductor
 * Jean Sibelius – composer
 * Dalia Stasevska – conductor
 * John Storgårds – conductor
 * Elina Vähälä – violinist
 * Osmo Vänskä – conductor, composer, clarinetist
 * Sauli Zinovjev – composer
 * Diana Ringo – composer

Electronic

 * Miika Eloranta & Janne Mansnerus – musicians, producers (as Super8 & Tab)
 * Paavo Siljamäki – DJ and producer; part of a Trance music group Above & Beyond
 * 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
 * Diana Ringo – composer

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

 * Marko 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

 * Emmy Achté (1876–1924) – mezzo-soprano
 * Aino Ackté (1876–1944) – soprano
 * Ida Basilier-Magelssen (1846–1928) – soprano
 * Kim Borg (1919–2000) – bass
 * Monica Groop (born 1958) – mezzo-soprano
 * Alma Fohström (1856–1936) – soprano
 * Elin Fohström (1868–1949) – soprano
 * Jorma Hynninen (born 1941) – baritone
 * Soile Isokoski (born 1957) – soprano
 * Tom Krause (1934–2013) – bass-baritone
 * Karita Mattila (born 1960) – soprano
 * Matti Salminen (born 1945) – bass
 * Martti Talvela (1935–1989) – bass
 * Tarja Turunen (born 1977) – soprano

A–M

 * Jonne Aaron – frontman of Negative
 * Ismo Alanko – rock musician
 * Jukka Ammondt – literature professor and musician who has recorded songs of Elvis Presley in Latin and Sumerian.
 * Nikke Ankara – rap musician
 * Mikko Aspa – lead singer of Deathspell Omega and owner of Northern Heritage label
 * Kirill Babitzin (1950–2007)
 * Maximilian Theodor Buch – historic academic and nationalist
 * Carola – jazz and pop singer
 * Elastinen – rap musician, half of the rap duo Fintelligens
 * Cheek – rap musician, broke many Spotify records in Finland
 * Irwin Goodman a.k.a. Antti Hammarberg (1943–1991) – protest singer
 * Sara Forsberg a.k.a. SAARA – Swedish-Finnish American
 * Samu Haber – singer and guitarist from Sunrise Avenue, solo singer-songwriter and tv music competition judge
 * 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
 * Hildá Länsman (born 1993) – Sámi pop singer
 * 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
 * Käärijä a.k.a. Jere Mikael Pöyhonen – rap musician and Finland's representative in Eurovision Song Contest 2023

N–Z

 * Sara Nunes – singer
 * Tuomari Nurmio
 * Harri Nuutinen
 * Mikko Paananen – bass player for the rock band HIM
 * Olga Oinola (1865–1949) – President of the Finnish Women Association
 * 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
 * Riku Rajamaa – lead guitarist and background singer from Sunrise Avenue, also active as a singer-songwriter
 * 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 (1962–2004) – singer
 * Jani "Hellboy" Snellman – bass guitarist of rock band Poets of the Fall
 * Kyllikki Solanterä (1908–1965) – popular singer, vocal teacher and lyricist
 * 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 (1945–1999) – jazz musician, composer, drummer
 * 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

Musical groups

 * The 69 Eyes
 * Amorphis
 * Apocalyptica
 * Apulanta
 * Blind Channel
 * Bomfunk MC’s
 * Children Of Bodom
 * Darude
 * HIM
 * Lordi
 * Nightwish
 * Nylon Beat
 * PMMP
 * Poets of the Fall
 * The Rasmus
 * Sonata Arctica
 * Stam1na
 * Stratovarius

Philosophers

 * Timo Airaksinen
 * Lili Alanen
 * Anders Chydenius
 * Arto Haapala
 * Jaakko Hintikka
 * Pekka Himanen
 * Matti Häyry
 * Eino Kaila
 * Raili Kauppi
 * S. Albert Kivinen
 * Pentti Linkola
 * Eeva-Liisa Manner
 * Ilkka Niiniluoto
 * Esa Saarinen
 * J. V. Snellman
 * Eero Tarasti
 * Raimo Tuomela
 * Thomas Wallgren
 * Edward Westermarck
 * Georg Henrik von Wright

Politicians

 * Esko Aho – prime minister 1991–1995
 * Martti Ahtisaari – United Nations diplomat and mediator; Nobel Peace Prize winner; president of Finland 1994–2000
 * Karl-August Fagerholm – politician (1901–1984)
 * Tarja Halonen – First female president of Finland, 2000–2012
 * Satu Hassi – MEP
 * Heidi Hautala – MEP
 * Harri Holkeri – prime minister and UN diplomat
 * Ville Itälä – MEP
 * Max Jakobson – UN diplomat
 * Anneli Jäätteenmäki – prime minister 2003
 * Kyösti Kallio – president of Finland 1937–1940 (1873–1940)
 * Urho Kekkonen – president of Finland 1956–1982 (1900–1986)
 * Mari Kiviniemi – prime minister 2010–2011
 * Mauno Koivisto – president of Finland 1982–1994
 * Aleksander von Kothen – senator
 * 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
 * Maria Lohela – speaker of the Finnish Parliament 2015–2018
 * Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim – commander-in-chief, regent, president 1944–1946 (1867–1951)
 * Sanna Marin – prime minister 2019–2023
 * 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 – minister
 * Taisto Sinisalo – communist politician
 * Helvi Sipilä – UN diplomat
 * Juha Sipilä – prime minister 2015–2019
 * 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 – parliamentarian, writer (1886–1954)

Scientists

 * Lars Valerian Ahlfors – mathematician, Fields Medalist 1936 (1907–1996)
 * Väinö Auer – explorer, geologist, geographer (1895–1981)
 * Matthias Castren – ethnologist (1813–1852)
 * 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)
 * Bengt Holmström – economist, Nobelist (1949–)
 * Kimmo Innanen – astronomer (1937–2011)
 * Pehr Kalm – botanist (1716–1779)
 * Teuvo Kohonen – neurocomputing pioneer (1934–)
 * 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)
 * Aili Nurminen – meteorologist (1896–1972)
 * Liisi Oterma – astronomer (1915–2001)
 * Leena Palotie – gene scientist (1952–2010)
 * Simo Parpola – orientalist, assyriologist
 * Tuija I. Pulkkinen – space scientist (born 1962)
 * 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 (1929–2015)
 * 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)
 * Joy Wolfram – nanoscientist (1989–)
 * 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)
 * Karl Fredrik Wilkama – general of the infantry (1876–1947)
 * Aimo Koivunen – corporal (1939–1944)

Athletics

 * Ashprihanal 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

Basketball

 * Petteri Koponen – basketball player, first Finnish first round pick in NBA draft
 * Lauri Markkanen – basketball player, currently with the NBA's Utah Jazz
 * Hanno Möttölä – basketball player, first Finnish NBA player
 * Miron Ruina (born 1998) – Finnish-Israeli basketball player

Football

 * Alexei Eremenko Jr.
 * Roman Eremenko
 * Mikael Forssell
 * Kasper Hämäläinen
 * Markus Heikkinen
 * Lukáš Hrádecký
 * Sami Hyypiä
 * Jonatan Johansson
 * Jussi Jääskeläinen
 * Joonas Kolkka
 * Shefki Kuqi
 * Jari Litmanen
 * Niklas Moisander
 * Antti Niemi
 * Mixu Paatelainen
 * Petri Pasanen
 * Juhani Peltonen
 * Roni Porokara
 * Aki Riihilahti
 * Aulis Rytkönen
 * Rasmus Schüller
 * Teemu Tainio
 * Niilo Tammisalo
 * Hannu Tihinen
 * Mika Väyrynen
 * Mika Ääritalo
 * Teemu Pukki
 * Anssi Jaakkola
 * Markku Kanerva
 * Joel Pohjanpalo
 * Glen Kamara

A–K

 * Antti Aalto
 * Sebastian Aho
 * Sami Aittokallio
 * Aleksander Barkov
 * Aki Berg
 * Sean Bergenheim
 * Timo Blomqvist
 * Niklas Bäckström
 * Mikko Eloranta
 * Valtteri Filppula
 * Mikael Granlund
 * Tuomas Grönman
 * Anne Haanpää
 * Matti Hagman
 * Niklas Hagman
 * Maija Hassinen-Sullanmaa
 * Riku Hahl
 * Sanni Hakala
 * Teemu Hartikainen
 * Ilkka Heikkinen
 * Miro Heiskanen
 * Riku Helenius
 * Anne Helin
 * Raimo Helminen
 * Jukka Hentunen
 * Jenni Hiirikoski
 * Roope Hintz
 * Kim Hirschovits
 * Elisa Holopainen
 * Venla Hovi
 * Jani Hurme
 * Erik Hämäläinen
 * Kirsi Hänninen
 * Marianne Ihalainen
 * Jarkko Immonen
 * Mira Jalosuo
 * Jesse Joensuu
 * Jussi Jokinen
 * Olli Jokinen
 * Timo Jutila
 * Hannu Järvenpää
 * Iiro Järvi
 * Kaapo Kakko
 * Tomi Kallio
 * Niko Kapanen
 * Sami Kapanen
 * Kasperi Kapanen
 * Jere Karalahti
 * Michelle Karvinen
 * Anni Keisala
 * Esa Keskinen
 * Markus Ketterer
 * Satu Kiipeli
 * Anna Kilponen
 * Marko Kiprusoff
 * Miikka Kiprusoff
 * Mikko Koivu
 * Saku Koivu – current IOC member
 * Leo Komarov
 * Petri Kontiola
 * Lauri Korpikoski
 * Sari Krooks
 * Mira Kuisma
 * Lasse Kukkonen
 * Jari Kurri

L–Q

 * Teemu Laakso
 * Antti Laaksonen
 * Erkki Laine
 * Patrik Laine
 * Nelli Laitinen
 * Janne Laukkanen
 * Esa Lehikoinen
 * Tero Lehterä
 * Jere Lehtinen
 * Erkki Lehtonen
 * Kari Lehtonen
 * Mikko Lehtonen (born 1978)
 * Mikko Lehtonen (born 1987)
 * Ville Leino
 * Juha Lind
 * Esa Lindell
 * Perttu Lindgren
 * Rosa Lindstedt
 * Jyrki Lumme
 * Mikko Luoma
 * Toni Lydman
 * Pentti Lund
 * Lauri Marjamäki
 * Sari Marjamäki (née Fisk)
 * Jussi Markkanen
 * Terhi Mertanen
 * Antti Miettinen
 * Reijo Mikkolainen
 * Jarmo Myllys
 * Olli Määttä
 * Mikko Mäkelä
 * Niina Mäkinen
 * Antti Niemi
 * Antti-Jussi Niemi
 * Saara Niemi (née Tuominen)
 * Mika Nieminen
 * Petra Nieminen
 * Ville Nieminen
 * Janne Niinimaa
 * Antero Niittymäki
 * Janne Niskala
 * Tanja Niskanen
 * Petteri Nokelainen
 * Mika Noronen
 * Fredrik Norrena
 * Petteri Nummelin
 * Teppo Numminen
 * Pasi Nurminen
 * Emma Nuutinen
 * Janne Ojanen
 * Suvi Ollikainen
 * Joni Ortio
 * Kai Ortio
 * Oskar Osala
 * Marko Palo
 * Oona Parviainen
 * Mari Pehkonen
 * Ville Peltonen
 * Heidi Pelttari
 * Harri Pesonen
 * Janne Pesonen
 * Tuomas Pihlman
 * Antti Pihlström
 * Joni Pitkänen
 * Mariia Posa
 * Jesse Puljujärvi
 * Tuula Puputti
 * Mika Pyörälä
 * Marja-Helena Pälvilä
 * Timo Pärssinen

R–Z

 * Isa Rahunen
 * Annina Rajahuhta
 * Tiina Ranne
 * Karoliina Rantamäki
 * Mikko Rantanen
 * Joonas Rask
 * Tuukka Rask
 * Katja Riipi
 * Pekka Rinne
 * Kimmo Rintanen
 * Jani Rita
 * Arto Ruotanen
 * Reijo Ruotsalainen
 * Christian Ruuttu
 * Jarkko Ruutu
 * Tuomo Ruutu
 * Jussi Rynnäs
 * Noora Räty
 * Meeri Räisänen
 * Karri Rämö
 * Noora Räty
 * Saila Saari
 * Mari Saarinen
 * Simo Saarinen
 * Maria Saarni
 * Riikka Sallinen (née Nieminen, previously Välilä)
 * Anssi Salmela
 * Tony Salmelainen
 * Sami Salo
 * Tommi Santala
 * Eve Savander
 * Ronja Savolainen
 * Teemu Selänne
 * Essi Sievers
 * Hanne Sikiö
 * Jenna Silvonen
 * Ilkka Sinisalo
 * Ville Sirén
 * Petri Skriko
 * Liisa-Maria Sneck
 * Mika Strömberg
 * Kai Suikkanen
 * Ari Sulander
 * Raimo Summanen
 * Eveliina Suonpää
 * Timo Susi
 * Keijo Säilynoja
 * Sara Säkkinen
 * Nora Tallus
 * Jukka Tammi
 * Vilma Tanskanen
 * Susanna Tapani
 * Saija Tarkki
 * Emma Terho (née Laaksonen) – current IOC member
 * Teuvo Teräväinen
 * Esa Tikkanen
 * Nina Tikkinen
 * Kimmo Timonen
 * Jari Torkki
 * Vesa Toskala
 * Noora Tulus
 * Minttu Tuominen
 * Satu Tuominen
 * Pekka Tuomisto
 * Antti Törmänen
 * Petra Vaarakallio
 * Vilma Vaattovaara
 * Viivi Vainikka
 * Anna Vanhatalo
 * Petri Varis
 * Sami Vatanen
 * Ella Viitasuo
 * Hannu Virta
 * Päivi Virta (previously Halonen)
 * Jukka Virtanen
 * Marjo Voutilainen
 * Linda Välimäki
 * 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

Rowing

 * Yrjö Hietanen – rower, two Olympic gold medals
 * Pertti Karppinen – rower, three Olympic gold medals
 * Kurt Wires – rower, two Olympic gold medals (1919–1991)

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 (née Lukkarinen) – cross-country skier, one olympic gold- and silver medal
 * 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
 * Kaisa Mäkäräinen – biathlete, one-time World Champion, 6 total medals at World Championships

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
 * Veikko Huhtanen – gymnast, three Olympic gold medals (1919–1976)
 * Robin Hull – snooker player
 * Mikko Ilonen – golfer
 * Mika Immonen – pool player
 * 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)
 * Pentti Linnosvuo – sport shooter, two Olympic gold medals
 * Matti Mattsson – swimmer, one World Championship bronze medal
 * 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)

Theologians, clergymen

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

Writers

 * Juhani Aho – first professional writer
 * Helena Anhava – prolific poet, writer, translator (1925–2018)
 * Jean M. Auel – American writer of Finnish descent, born as Jean Marie Untinen
 * Minna Canth – author (1844–1897)
 * Bo Carpelan
 * Marco Casagrande
 * Jörn Donner – author and politician
 * Anna Edelheim – journalist
 * Elsa Enäjärvi-Haavio (1901–1951) – folklorist and cultural critic
 * Seikko Eskola – historian
 * 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
 * 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
 * Barbara Catharina Mjödh
 * Knud Möller
 * Jukka Nevakivi
 * Pertti Nieminen
 * Carita Nyström (1940–2019) – Swedish-speaking writer
 * 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)
 * Susanne Ringell
 * 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

 * Simo Aalto – stage magician
 * Kaarlo Bergbom – theatre director, founder of the Finnish National Theatre
 * 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
 * Pirkko Hämäläinen, Ambassador to Austria
 * Seppo Hentilä – historian
 * Jukka Hilden – member of The Dudesons
 * Toni Jerrman – science fiction critic
 * Pepe Jürgens – sports commentator
 * Vesa Kanniainen – economist and academic
 * Liisa Kauppinen (born 1939) – human rights activist
 * Helena Kekkonen (1926–2014) – peace activist
 * Kuikka-Koponen – trickster and conjurer
 * Armi Kuusela – Miss Universe 1952
 * Jarno Laasala – member of The Dudesons
 * Aarne Lakomaa – aircraft designer (1914–2001)
 * Jarno "Jarppi"/"Jarno2" Leppälä – member of The Dudesons
 * Arvi Lind – newscaster
 * Fanni Luukkonen – leader of Lotta Svärd (1882–1947)
 * Venla Luukkonen – Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion
 * 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 – member 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)
 * Teppo Turkki – futurologist
 * Nils-Aslak Valkeapää – Sami activist (1943–2001)
 * Folke West – traveller