List of Swedish-speaking Finns explained

This is a list of Swedish-speaking Finns.

To be included in this list, the person must have a Wikipedia article showing they are a Swedish-speaking Finn or must have references showing they are a Swedish-speaking Finn and are notable.

Actors, directors & filmmakers

• Ida Aalberg – actor (1857–1915)
• Irina Björklund – actor and singer (1973– )
• Jörn Donner – writer, film director, actor, producer, politician, and founder of Finnish Film Archive (1933–2020)
• Stina Ekblad – actor (1954– )
• Klaus Härö – filmmaker (1971– )
• Nicke Lignell – actor, voice actor, and television host (1966– )
• Åke Lindman – director and actor (1928–2009)
• Lasse Pöysti – actor, director, theatre manager, and writer (1927–2019)
• Birgitta Ulfsson – actor and theatre director (1928–2017)
• Casper Wrede – theatre and film director (1929–1998)

Architects

• Kristian Gullichsen (1932–2021)
• Anton Werner Lignell (1867–1954)
• Viljo Revell (1910–1964)
• Lars Sonck (1870–1956)

Artists and designers

• Erik Bruun – graphic designer (1926– )
• Fanny Churberg – painter (1845–1892)
• Albert Edelfelt – painter (1854–1905)
• Magnus Enckell – painter (1870–1925)
• Kaj Franck – industrial designer, artistic director, and instructor of applied arts (1911–1989)
• Akseli Gallen-Kallela – painter (1865–1931)
• Jorma Gallen-Kallela – painter (1898–1939)
• Eero Järnefelt – painter (1863–1937)
• Rudolf Koivu – illustrator (1890–1946)
• Stefan Lindfors – industrial designer, interior designer, film-maker, and sculptor (1962– )
• Helene Schjerfbeck – painter (1862–1946)
• Hugo Simberg – painter (1873–1917)
• Kaj Stenvall – painter (1951– )
• Beda Stjernschantz – painter (1867–1910)

Businesspeople

• Antti Ahlström – industrialist, founder of Ahlstrom (1827–1896)
• Kaj Arnö – CEO of the MariaDB Foundation (1963– )
• Karl Fazer – founder of confectionery manufacturer Fazer and Olympic sport-shooter (1866–1932)
• Rabbe Grönblom – founder of Kotipizza, RG Line, Omenahotelli (1950–2015)
• Hjallis Harkimo – chairman of the board of Jokerit (1953– )
• Fredrik Idestam – industrialist, founder of Nokia (1838–1916)
• Mikael Lilius – ex-CEO of Fortum (1948– )
• Mårten Mickos – ex-CEO of MySQL AB, currently CEO at HackerOne (1962– )
• – founder of the Stockmann department store (1825–1906)
• Björn Wahlroos – Chairman of the Board in Sampo plc, Nordea and UPM-Kymmene Oyj (1952– )

Musicians

Opera

• Monica Groop – mezzo-soprano (1958– )

Classical

• Paavo Berglund – conductor and violinist (1929–2012)
• Erik Bergman – composer (1911–2006)
• Bernhard Crusell – clarinetist, composer, and translator (1775–1838)
• Mikko Franck – conductor and violinist (1978– )
• Ralf Gothoni – pianist and conductor (1946– )
• Tom Krause – opera singer and vocal pedagogue (1934–2013)
• Magnus Lindberg – composer and pianist (1958– )
• Linda Lampenius (stage name Linda Brava) – concert violinist; also known for work as a model, actress, member of the Helsinki City Council, and Sports 2000 rally driver (1970– )
• Ossi Runne – trumpeter, orchestra leader, composer, and record producer (1927–2020)
• Leif Segerstam – conductor, composer, violinist, violist, and pianist (1944– )
• Jean Sibelius – composer (1865–1957)
• John Storgårds – violinist and conductor (1963– )
• Martin Wegelius – composer and musicologist (1846–1906)

Various genres

• Ami Aspelund – singer (1953– )
• Monica Aspelund – singer (1946– )
• Henrik Otto Donner – composer, musician, trumpeter, record producer, and music personality (1939–2013)
• Axel Ehnström (stage name Paradise Oskar) – singer-songwriter (1990– )
• Janina Fry – pop singer, model, and television host (1973– )
• Ben Granfelt – guitarist; best known for work with the Ben Granfelt Band, Leningrad Cowboys, and Wishbone Ash (1963– )
• Kim Herold – singer-songwriter (1979– )
• Jan "Katla" Jämsen – co-founder, songwriter, and former singer of folk metal band Finntroll (– )
• Pernilla Karlsson – singer (1990– )
• Mathias "Vreth" Lillmåns – metal vocalist and bassist; best known for work with Finntroll (1982– )
• André Linman – songwriter, rock singer and guitarist; best known for work with Sturm Und Drang (1992– )
• Georg Malmstén – singer, musician, composer, and conductor (1902–1981)
• Patrik Mennander – metal and rock singer; best known for work with Ruoska, Battlelore, and Natsipaska (1976– )
• Kristian Meurman – singer (1979– )
• Nasty Suicide (born Jan-Markus Stenfors) – guitarist, bass guitarist, and singer; best known for work with glam rock band Hanoi Rocks (1963– )
• Mathias "Warlord" Nygård – co-founder and lead vocalist of metal band Turisas (1982– )
• Krista Siegfrids – pop singer (1985– )
• Gösta Sundqvist – lead singer, composer, and lyricist of Leevi and the Leavings and a radio-personality (1957–2003)
• Jenny Wilhelms – composer and musician focused on Nordic vocal and fiddling traditions; lead singer of folk and world music band Gjallarhorn (1974– )

Politicians

• Claes Andersson – member of parliament, 1987 to 1999 and 2007 to 2008, and Minister of Culture, 1995 to 1999 (1937–2019)
• Li Andersson – member of parliament since 2015; leader of the Left Alliance since 2016; and Minister of Education since 2019 (1987– )
• Jan-Erik Enestam – member of parliament, 1991 to 2007; Minister of the Interior, 1995 to 1999; Minister of Defense, 1995 and 1999 to 2003; Minister of the Environment, 2003 to 2006 (1947– )
• Axel Olof Freudenthal – philologist and academic, considered by the Swedish People's Party to be their spiritual father (1836–1911)
• Karl-August Fagerholm – three-time Prime Minister of Finland during the late-1940s and 1950s (1901–1984)
• Carl Haglund – member of the European Parliament, 2009 to 2012; Minister of Defence, 2012 to 2015; leader of the Swedish People's Party, 2012 to 2016; and member of parliament, 2015 to 2016 (1979– )
• Anna-Maja Henriksson – member of parliament since 2007; Minister of Justice, 2011–2015 and since 2019; and leader of the Swedish People's Party since 2016 (1964– )
• Tony Halme – member of parliament, 2003 to 2007; MMA fighter, boxer, sports entertainer and professional wrestler (1963–2010)
• Bjarne Kallis – member of parliament, 1991 to 2011, and chairman of the Christian Democratic Party, 1995 to 2004 (1945– )
• Henrik Lax – member of parliament, 1987 to 2004, and member of the European Parliament, 2004 to 2009 (1946– )
• Axel Lille – member of the Diet of Finland, 1885 to 1900; principal founder of the Swedish People's Party in 1906; member of parliament, 1916 to 1917; journalist and editor (1848–1921)
• Gustaf Mannerheim – Regent of Finland, 1918 to 1919; commander-in-chief, 1939 to 1945; and President of Finland, 1944 to 1946 (1867–1951)
• Elisabeth Rehn – member of parliament, 1979 to 1995; leader of the Swedish People's Party, 1987 to 1990; Minister of Defense, 1990 to 1995; member of the European Parliament, 1995 to 1996; and diplomat to the United Nations (1935– )
• Johan Vilhelm Snellman – member of the Senate of Finland, Fennoman philosopher, author, and journalist (1806–1881)
• Alexander Stubb – member of European Parliament, 2004 to 2008; member of parliament, 2011 to 2017; Minister for Foreign Affairs, 2008 to 2011; Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, 2011 to 2014; leader of the National Coalition Party, 2014 to 2016; Minister of Finance, 2015 to 2016; 43rd Prime Minister of Finland, 2014 to 2015; and 13th President of Finland, since 2024 (1968– )
• Ulf Sundqvist – member of parliament, 1970 to 1983; Minister of Education, 1972 to 1975; Minister of Trade and Industry, 1979 to 1981; head of the National Workers' Savings Bank, 1982 to 1991; and leader of the Social Democratic Party of Finland, 1991 to 1993 (1945– )
• Pehr Evind Svinhufvud – member of the Diet of Finland, 1894 and 1899 to 1906; member of parliament, 1907 to 1908, 1908 to 1914, 1917, and 1930 to 1931; chairman of the Senate of Finland, 1917 to 1918; Regent of Finland in 1918; Prime Minister of Finland, 1930 to 1931; and the 3rd President of Finland, 1931–1937 (1861–1944)
• Carl Olof Tallgren – member of parliament, 1961 to 1975; Minister of Finance, 1970 to 1971; and chairman of the Swedish People's Party, 1974 to 1977 (1927– )
• Stefan Wallin – member of parliament, 2007 to 2019; Minister of the Environment in 2007; Minister of Culture and Sport, 2007 to 2011; and Minister of Defence, 2011 to 2012 (1967– )
• Theodor Wegelius – member of the Senate of Finland (1850–1932)

Scientists and technologists

• Lars Valerian Ahlfors – mathematician and Fields Medalist in 1936; known for work in the fields of Riemann surfaces and complex analysis (1907–1996)
• Erik Allardt – sociologist, professor, and chancellor of the Åbo Akademi University (1925–2020)
• Fredrik Elfving – botanist, plant physiologist, and university administrator (1854–1942)
• Gustav Elfving – mathematician and statistician; known for pioneering work in the optimal design of experiments (1908–1984)
• Kari Enqvist – physicist and professor of cosmology (1954– )
• Axel Olof Freudenthal – philologist and academic, considered by the Swedish People's Party to be their spiritual father (1836–1911)
• Johan Gadolin – chemist, physicist, and mineralogist; best known for his description of the first rare-earth element, yttrium (1760–1852)
• Ragnar Granit – physiologist and professor of neurophysiology; joint Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine in 1967 (1900–1991)
• Hilma Granqvist – anthropologist; best known for long field studies of Palestinians (1890–1972)
• Pehr Kalm – botanist, naturalist, explorer, and agricultural economist (1716–1779)
• Rafael Karsten – social anthropologist and philosopher of religion; best known for work among indigenous peoples of South America (1879–1956)
• Anders Johan Lexell – astronomer, mathematician, and physicist; best known for work in the fields of celestial mechanics and polygonometry, particularly spherical trigonometry (1740–1784)
• Ernst Lindelöf – mathematician; best known for work in the fields of function theory and topology (1870–1946)
• Lorenz Lindelöf – mathematician, astronomer, and researcher of variational calculus; Minister of State Education, 1874–1902 (1827–1908)
• Hjalmar Mellin – mathematician; best known for work in the field of function theory and as developer of the integral transform known as the Mellin transform (1854–1933)
• Pekka Myrberg – mathematician and university administrator; best known for work in the field of function theory, particularly iteration and period-doubling bifurcation (1892–1976)
• – mathematician known for his work in the field of minimal surface; member of the Senate of Finland (1851–1917)
• Nils Gustaf Nordenskiöld – mineralogist and traveler; best known as discoverer of alexandrite and several other minerals (1792–1866)
• Linus Torvalds – creator of Linux kernel (1969– )
• Michael Widenius – main developer of MySQL (1962– )
• Erik Adolf von Willebrand – physician; best known for his work in the field of hematology (1870–1949)
• Edvard Westermarck – sociologist and philosopher; known as "the first sociobiologist," he is best remembered for his work in the field of marriage (1862–1939)
• Georg Henrik von Wright – logician and philosopher; best known for work in the fields of analytic philosophy and philosophical logic and, later, morality and philosophical pessimism (1916–2003)

Soldiers

• Adolf Ehrnrooth – general (1905–2004)
• Johan Casimir Ehrnrooth – lieutenant-general, Prime Minister of Bulgaria (1833–1913)
• Oskar Ferdinand Gripenberg – general of the infantry (1838–1916)
• Carl Gustaf Casimir Gripenberg – rear-admiral (1836–1908)
• Oskar Ludvig Starck – vice-admiral (1846–1928)
• Oskar Wilhelm Enqvist – vice-admiral (1849–1912)
• Theodor Kristian Avellan – admiral, Minister of the Navy (1839–1916)
• Birger Ek – pilot and Mannerheim Cross Knight
• Axel Heinrichs – general (1890–1965)
• Gustav Hägglund, general (1938–)
• Jan Klenberg, admiral (1931–2020)
• Ruben Lagus – major general (1896–1956)
• Gustaf Erik Magnusson – father of Finnish fighter tactics
• Gustaf Mannerheim – marshal of Finland, president of Finland 1944–1946 (1867–1951)
• Lennart Oesch – lieutenant general (1892–1978)
• Harald Öhquist – lieutenant general (1891–1971)
• Hugo Österman – lieutenant general (1892–1975)
• Georg Magnus Sprengtporten – general (1740–1819)
• Torsten Stålhandske – commander of Hakkapelites (1594–1644)
• Kurt Martti Wallenius – lieutenant general (1893–1984)
• Hans Wind – pilot, twice awarded the Mannerheim Cross

Sportspeople

• Mikael Almén – football player (2000– )
• Niklas Bäckström – ice hockey player (1978– )
• Sean Bergenheim – ice hockey player (1984– )
• Lucas Bergström - football player (2002- )
• Peter Enckelman – football player (1977– )
• Adelina Engman – football player (1994– )
• Alexei Eremenko – football player (1983– )
• Roman Eremenko – football player (1987– )
• Sergei Eremenko – football player (1999– )
• Marcus Forss – football player (1999– )
• Mikael Forssell – football player (1981– )
• Albin Granlund – football player (1989– )
• Marcus Grönholm – rally driver (1968– )
• Daniel Håkans - football player (2000- )
• Tony Halme (stage names Ludvig Borga, Viikinki) – MMA fighter, heavyweight boxer, sports entertainer and professional wrestler, and member of parliament (1963–2010)
• Kasper Hämäläinen – football player (1986– )
• Robert Helenius – boxer (1984– )
• Janne Holmén – marathon runner (1977– )
• Mikaela Ingberg – javelin thrower (1974– )
• Fredrik Jensen - football player (1997– )
• Richard Jensen - football player (1996- )
• Thomas Johanson – sailor; Olympic gold medalist (1969– )
• Jonatan Johansson – football player and coach (1975– )
• Benjamin Källman – football player (1998– )
• Kevin Lankinen - ice hockey player (1995- )
• Lucas Lingman – football player (1998– )
• Anton Lundell – ice hockey player (2001– )
• Joel Mattsson – football player (1999– )
• Matilda Nilsson – ice hockey player (1997– )
• Fredrik Norrena – ice hockey player (1973– )
• Oskar Osala – ice hockey player (1987– )
• Noah Pallas - football player (2001- )
• Mona-Lisa Pursiainen – sprinter (1951–2000)
• Alexander Ring – football player (1991– )
• Ronja Savolainen – ice hockey player; 2x Olympic bronze medalist (1997– )
• Rasmus Schüller – football player (1991– )
• Daniel Sjölund – football player (1983– )
• Simon Skrabb – football player (1995– )
• Toni Söderholm – ice hockey player (1978– )
• Tim Sparv – football player (1987– )
• Toni Ståhl – football player (1985– )
• Peter Tallberg – sailor (1937–2015)
• Eva Wahlström – boxer (1980– )
• Oscar Wiklöf - football player (2003- )

Philosophers, theologians, and clergymen

• Fredrik Gabriel Hedberg
• Lauri Ingman
• Björn Vikström
• John Vikström
• Georg Henrik von Wright – philosopher; best known for work in the fields of analytic philosophy and philosophical logic and, later, morality and pessimism (1916–2003)

Writers

• – author (1940–2022)
• Gunnar Björling – modernist poet (1887–1960)
• Bo Carpelan – poet and author (1926–2011)
• Fredrika Wilhelmina Carstens – author (1808–1888)
• Jörn Donner – author, journalist, critic, filmmaker, politician, and founder of Finnish Film Archive (1933–2020)
• Olly Donner – author and anthroposopher (1881–1956)
• Monika Fagerholm – novelist (1961– )
• Tua Forsström – poet (1947– )
• – science fiction writer (1945–2021)
• Bengt Idestam-Almquist (9 September 1895 – 16 September 1983) journalist and the "father of Swedish film criticism"^[1]
• Tove Jansson – author of the Moomin books (1914–2001)
• Irmelin Sandman Lilius – author (1936– )
• Fredrika Runeberg – journalist, novelist, and author of historical fiction (1807–1879)
• Johan Ludvig Runeberg – lyric and epic poet, considered the national poet of Finland; Lutheran priest (1804–1877)
• Johan Vilhelm Snellman – author, journalist, Fennoman philosopher, author, and member of the Senate of Finland (1806–1881)
• – author and songwriter (1929– )
• Edith Södergran – modernist poet (1892–1923)
• Marton Taiga – pulp fiction author (1907–1969)
• Henrik Tikkanen – author (1924–1984)
• Märta Tikkanen – author and literary scholar (1935– )
• Zacharias Topelius – author and historian (1818–1898)
• Nikke Torvalds – journalist (1945– )
• Ole Torvalds – journalist (1916–1995)
• Solveig von Schoultz – poet and author (1907–1996)
• Sara Wacklin – author and educator (1790–1846)
• Kjell Westö – author and journalist (1961– )

Other notables

• Ior Bock – mythologist and eccentric (1942–2010)
• Sophie Mannerheim – nurse (1863–1928)

• Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld – explorer (1832–1901)
• Eugen Schauman – civilian who killed Nikolai Ivanovich Bobrikov (1875–1904)
• Thomas Wallgren – activist, politician, philosopher
• Folke West – traveller

Families

• Ahlström family
• Donner family

Notes and References

1. Web site: Bengt Idestam-Almquist . 1 March 2014 . The Swedish Film Database . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140311135504/http://www.sfi.se/en-GB/Swedish-film-database/Item/?type=PERSON&itemid=59246&iv=OVERVIEW . 11 March 2014 .