Virtanen (surname)

Virtanen (also written as Wirtanen) is a surname originating in Finland (in Finnish, virta, meaning "river", and nen is a surname-enerating suffix), where it is the second most common surname. The surname is the namesake of the "Virtanen type" of Finnish surnames.

The name quickly became popular in 19th century, in the era of Finnish national awakening, however rare occasions of it were documented in 1684 at the latest.

Notable people with the surname include:


 * Antti Virtanen (born 1977), Finnish ice hockey player
 * Artturi Ilmari Virtanen (1895–1973), Finnish chemist and Nobel laureate
 * Aulis Virtanen (1926–2006), Finnish sports journalist
 * Eino Virtanen (1908–1980), Finnish wrestler and Olympic medal winner
 * Fredrik Virtanen (born 1971), Swedish journalist
 * Jake Virtanen (born 1996), Canadian ice hockey winger
 * Jani Virtanen (born 1988), Finnish footballer
 * Janne Virtanen (born 1969), Finnish strongman
 * Kalle Virtanen (born 1975), singer and guitarist of the band Viikate
 * Kari Virtanen (born 1958), Finnish footballer
 * Keijo Virtanen (born 1945), Finnish historian
 * Otto Virtanen (born 2001), Finnish tennis player
 * Rauha S. Virtanen (1931-2019), Finnish author
 * Reima Virtanen (born 1947), Finnish boxer and Olympic medal winner
 * Tommi Virtanen (born 1989), Finnish ice hockey goaltender
 * Veltto Virtanen (born 1951), psychologist, rock musician, member of parliament, presidential candidate
 * Ville Virtanen (actor) (born 1961), Finnish actor
 * Ville Virtanen, aka Darude (born 1973), Finnish DJ and music producer

People with the surname Wirtanen

 * Atos Wirtanen (1906–79), Ålandic-born Finnish politician
 * Carl A. Wirtanen (1910–1990), American astronomer
 * Petteri Wirtanen, Finnish ice hockey player
 * Tommy Wirtanen (born 1983), Finnish footballer
 * Toni Wirtanen (born 1975), singer of the band Apulanta

Fictional characters

 * B. Virtanen, lead character of the Ilkka Heilä comic strip of the same name
 * Virtanen (no first name), hero of Tango is my passion by M.A. Numminen
 * Lukas Virtanen, main character of Mark of the Vasirian and subsequent books from the Blackthorn Saga by author Stephanie Denne.