Finn-ish A list of American companies borrowing Finnish words.*
Raaka
Raaka
Raaka
Raaka makes high-end chocolate in Red Hook, Brooklyn. Their chocolate is unroasted, so the Finnish word for raw feels appropriate.
Vuori
Vuori
Vuori
Finland is known for its lakes and arctic bogs, not its mountains. The country's highest elevation point is on the shoulder of the mountain Halti, whose peak is a few hundred feet away in Norway. Nevertheless, this Cali-based activewear brand liked the Finnish word for mountain enough to use it as their brand name.
Kiva
Kiva
Kiva
Varoitus! Don't mix these up with your Raaka chocolate. That would not be kiva (nice/fun) as Kiva chocolates are cannabis-infused.
Moki
Moki
Moki
This Boston-area group of Finnish-style saunas doesn't want you stressing over umlauts and double consonants, so they simplified the Finnish word for cottage, mökki.
Taika
Taika
Taika
Taika tries to bottle magic (taika in Finnish), in the form of adaptogen-infused, mostly caffeinated beverages. Would they survive in the energy drink aisle at a Finnish grocery store?
Lumi
Lumi
Lumi
Lumi means snow, but Lumi sells weed gummies. Perhaps they were inspired by the abundance of fantastic fruit candies in Finland.
Rykä
Rykä
Rykä
"Rykä" suggests Finnish but doesn't actually mean anything. This company sells women's athletic shoes.
Eero
Eero
Eero
...as in Eero Saarinen! The prolific, sculpture-driven Finnish architect who thought tables have too many legs. Like me, Eero Saarinen was naturalized as an American citizen. This company sells WiFi systems.
Levätä
Levätä
Levätä
One more cannabis brand that is a Finnish word. Levätä means to rest. Levätä operates on the West Coast. Kudos for keeping the umlauts!
Kuuma
Kuuma
Kuuma
In the early 20th century, a massive influx of Finns moved to northern Michigan and Minnesota, (including the aforementioned herra Saarinen). That's where this wood-burning oven company is located. These ovens get hot (kuuma)! I'll take two please.
Arvo
Arvo
Arvo
"Arvo" means value. These wrist watches from Minnesota are affordable and stylish - a good value!
Elossa
Elossa
Elossa
"Elossa" means alive — alive like the SCOBY used to make this hard kombucha that can sometimes be found at Trader Joe's.
Vessi
Vessi
Vessi
With a name derived from the Finnish word for water (vesi), Vessi sells waterproof shoes in the Pacific Northwest. The double "s" amplifies the Finn(ish)ness.
Sisu
Sisu
Sisu
Sisu makes mouthguards, a helpful tool if you're cultivating bravery, tenacity, and grit. That's how this American company translate "sisu," and we approve of this translation. The founders have Swedish roots.
Tuoksu
Tuoksu
Tuoksu
This possibly-Canadian fragrance house was originally named after the Finnish word for scent, but they've since rebranded as eau_eau.