Finn
/fɪn/noun
A member of the Finnic people of Finland; also used as a male given name.
Did you know?The ethnonym is ancient, but its deeper origin is uncertain; it was already known to early Germanic and classical writers in forms like Latin *Fenni*, showing how old tribal names can survive while their original meaning disappears.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Roman era
Latin
Fenni
“A people in the far north, described by Roman authors”
Early Germanic
Proto-Germanic
*Fenþaz / *Finþaz (uncertain)
“An early tribal name or ethnonym, exact sense uncertain”
Old English
Old English
Finnas
“The Finns or northern peoples”
Middle English
Middle English
Fynnes / Finnes
“The people of Finland; later also a surname and given name”
Modern English
English
Finn
“A person from Finland; also a male given name”