Finn Overview
- Meaning: “Finn” is a masculine name that means “white” or “fair.” It is derivative of “Finnr,” which means “Sami.” Sami is a Finno-Ugric people. In modern times, it can refer to someone from the country of Finland.
- Gender: “Finn” is a name primarily given to male babies. However, it is common for a female to have the name.
- Origin: Old Norse, Irish, and Finnish.
- Pronunciation: Finn is pronounced just as it is spelled: “FINN.”
- Popularity: Finn is a popular name. It ranks within the top 200 names for male babies in the United States.
- Nicknames: Finnie, Finny, Fi, Fi-Fi, Finegan.
- Variations: Fin, Finnr, Fionn, Flynn, Fynn.
- Namesakes: Finn Taylor, Finn Wittrock, Finn Wolfhard.
What Does Finn Mean?
“Finn” is a masculine name that means “white” or “fair.” It comes from Old Norse origins and is a derivative of “Finnr,” which means “Sami.” Sami is a Finno-Ugric people (1).
There were also cases of it in the old Irish language. There, it carried the same meaning as the Norse name.
In modern times, it can refer to someone from Finland.
What Is the Origin of the Name Finn?
It is debated which came first: the Old Norse or the Celtic/Gaelic.
One theory is that “Finn” is an Old Norse name. Originally, it was given as a byname, or a descriptive name, to go along with a given first name. Over time, it became more common as a given name in countries in northern Europe.
In Ireland and Scotland, the name developed around the same time and has the same meaning (2).
How Popular Is the Name Finn?
The name “Finn” is popular. Over the last 20 years, it has gone from being in the top 1000 names for baby boys to the top 200. It seems to be continually increasing in popularity as well (3).
How Do I Pronounce Finn?
Finn is pronounced as it is spelled: “FINN.” Rarely is it misrepresented as “FEEN” or “FINE,” a testament to how easy and classic the name is.
Is Finn a Boy or Girl Name?
Finn is a name typically given to male babies. From time to time, it is given to girls as well.
Variations of Finn
With the debate on the origins of the name “Finn,” there have also been variations. Some include:
- Fin (Irish)
- Finnr (Norse)
- Fionn (Irish)
- Flynn (Irish)
- Fynn (English)
Nicknames for Finn
With a name as simple and short as Finn, there aren’t many nicknames. Some of the known ones include:
- Finnie
- Finny
- Fi
- Fi-Fi
- Finegan
Similar Names to Finn
Though, if you are looking for names like “Finn,” there are similar ones. Some include:
Middle Names for Finn
There are also several great middle name options to go with “Finn.” Our favorites are:
Sibling Names for Finn
If you wonder what names sound good with Finn, we also have some ideas for any gender. Give these a try:
For a brother:
For a sister:
Famous People Named Finn
In recent years, there has been an influx of famous Finns on the scene, from Hollywood to music. The most prominent are:
- Finn Alnæs: A Norwegian writer famous for his novel Gemini, which won several prestigious prizes.
- Finn Bálor: An Irish professional wrestler.
- Finn Graff: A Norwegian artist, illustrator, and political cartoonist.
- Finn Jones: English actor who is known for his roles in “Game of Thrones,” “Marvel’s Iron Fist,” and “The Defenders.”
- Finn Taylor: American-Norwegian writer and director who is known for his films “Dream with the Fishes,” “Cherish,” and “The Darwin Awards.”
- Peter “Finn” Wittrock: American actor who is known for his roles in “Ratched,” “American Horror Story,” and “Deep Water.”
- Finn Wolfhard: Canadian actor and musician. He is best known as Mike Wheeler on the Netflix series “Stranger Things,” as well as “It” and “Ghostbusters: Afterlife.”
Finn in Popular Culture
Finn has also made its way into pop culture. Some of the most recognizable “Finns” include:
- Finn: The titular character in one of 2000 AD’s most famous British comic strips.
- Finn: The main character from the British television series “Misfits.”
- Finn: A character from the most recent Star Wars trilogy, played by John Boyega.
- “Finn”: A song by singer and songwriter, Tori Amos.
- Finn the Human: A protagonist character from the animated series “Adventure Time.”
- Finn McMissile: A character from the Pixar film “Cars 2.”
- Hamilton Finn: A character from the long-running soap opera “General Hospital.”
- Huckleberry Finn: The main character from the Mark Twain novels The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
- Phineas Finn: The main character in Anthony Trollope’s books Phineas Finn and Phineas Redux.
Finn FAQs
In this section, we will cover any gaps that have been left open about “Finn.” Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the name.
Is Finn Short for Anything?
No, Finn is not short for anything in its original form. It has several origins, but none of them are longer versions of the name. However, it could likely be used as a shortened name for Griffin, Phineas, Finnegan, and others like it.
Is Finn a Scottish name?
Yes, Finn is a Scottish boy’s name, more commonly given as “Fingal,” “Findlay,” or “Fionn.” All of these names still have the meaning of “fair,” “fair stranger,” or “fair warrior.”
