Surname Karjalainen - Meaning and Origin
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Karjalainen: What does the surname Karjalainen mean?
The last name “Karjalainen” is of Finnish origin, and its meaning in translation is "person from the east". It is derived from the Old Norse words “kar” (east) and “lagi” (people) and was a name given to people who lived in the eastern parts of Finland.
The people of Finland are highly distinct and diverse, and many of their surnames reflect this. Karjalainen is one of the most common Finnish last names and has been in use since at least the 1600s. It is estimated that it is shared by some 100,000 people in Finland today.
Those who bear the name “Karjalainen” generally come from either the Karelian region of Finland or the east/northeast provinces of the country. Karelia, in particular, has a long, historical legacy which is reflected in the meanings of some of its local surnames, including Karjalainen.
In addition to being of Finnish origin, the surname Karjalainen has been adopted by some other Nordic countries like Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. It can also be found in some countries outside of Europe, as it has been carried to the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand by immigrants from Finland.
Those with the last name Karjalainen are often said to be highly independent, fiercely loyal, and often possess a strong work ethic. They are known for their ability to adapt to new circumstances and their eagerness to take risks and pursue their ambitions. These traits are likely rooted in the adventurous spirit of the people from Eastern Finland who shed their homes to build brand new ones in new, unfamiliar places.
Order DNA origin analysisKarjalainen: Where does the name Karjalainen come from?
The last name KARJALAINEN is most commonly found in the Scandinavian countries of Finland, Sweden and Norway. In Finland, KARJALAINEN is the ninth most common last name, with over 11,000 people having it. In Sweden, it is the 81st most common last name, with more than 2,000 people having it. In Norway it is less common, however it is ranked as the 537th common last name, with approximately 600 people having it.
Traditionally, KARJALAINEN is a Finnish topographic last name, deriving from the ancient Finnish word "karjala" which means barren mountain land, or highland. This kind of landscape was common in certain areas of Finland, making it an appropriate last name for some of the people living there.
Outside of Scandinavia, KARJALAINEN can be found in other countries, notably in parts of Canada, the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom. These locations are home to descendants of Scandinavian immigrants who brought the last name with them.
KARJALAINEN remains a strong surname in the countries where it is most common. It is likely to persist for many generations more, and continue to be found throughout Scandinavia and the world.
Variations of the surname Karjalainen
Karjalainen is a Finno-Ugric language surname which originated in the area of Finland, Estonia, and Russia. It is also spelled as Karjalainen. Variants and spellings of Karjalainen include Karyala, Carjalainen, Karjala, Karyalainen, Kariala, Karialainen, Karjalainen, Karjolainen, and Karyolainen.
Surnames of the same origin as Karjalainen include Jansson, Sahlberg, and Ljungberg. Jansson is derived from Johan, the Swedish form of Johannes; Sahlberg is derived from Salis, which means “rock cliff”; and Ljungberg is from the Swedish word for heather.
Karjalainen is sometimes shortened to Karja, which was common among Vepsian-speaking Finnish immigrants in early 20th century America.
Over time, the Karjalainen surname has been changed or altered in various ways, such as Kariainen, Kariainenere, Karija, Karjahainen, Karjahainenere, Karjahainenkaitta, Karjainen, Karjalaihinen, Karjalaisen, and Karyalaisen.
The surname Karjalainen is still common in Finland, Estonia, and Russia, as well as other Nordic countries such as Sweden and Norway. In addition, many people with the Karjalainen surname have spread throughout the world, especially to the United States, Canada, and Australia. In the United States, it is primarily found in the states of Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois.
Famous people with the name Karjalainen
- Vesa-Matti Loiri: Finnish actor, musician, comedian and single-person shows.
- Jooseppi Karjalainen: Olympic ice hockey player who played for both Finland and Russia in the 1980 and 1984 Winter Olympics.
- Tuomas Karjalainen: Finnish television and radio personality.
- Vesa-Matti K. Karjalainen: Finnish singer-songwriter who was part of the popular Finnish rock band Whispering.
- Antti Karjalainen: Former Finnish rally driver who competed in several European Rally Championship events.
- Lauri K. Karjalainen: Finnish footballer who played in the top tier of Finnish football for FC Haka and FC TPS.
- Juha Karjalainen: Finnish singer-songwriter who was part of early regularly played in Finnish radio as part of group Moon with Vesa-Matti Loiri.
- Kari Karjalainen: Finnish politician who served as Minister of Culture and Education in several governments during the 1990s and 2000s.
- Marko Karjalainen: Finnish basketball player who played for Finnish club KTP in the second-highest division.
- Urho Karjalainen: Finnish composer, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who was part of the band CMX during the early 1990s.