Surname Wanninen - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wanninen: What does the surname Wanninen mean?
The last name WANNINEN is of Scandinavian origin, most frequently found in Finland. The root of the name is believed to be the Old Norse words vinr, meaning "friend", and nen, meaning "residence". The name refers to someone who was a "friend of the home" or a friend who lived near the home.
In modern-day usage, WANNINEN can also be used to describe a person who is hospitable and welcoming. This is appropriate given the root of the surname. Additionally, the surname WANNINEN can be found to represent a person who is loyal, reliable, and trustworthy.
As for the origin of the name, it is believed to have first emerged in the 16th century and was likely most common in south east Finland. The name then spread across the country as people migrated.
The name can be seen as representing someone who is welcoming and loyal, so if you have the surname WANNINEN, it is likely that your ancestors were people who were particularly hospitable and kind.
Order DNA origin analysisWanninen: Where does the name Wanninen come from?
The surname WANNINEN is still common in Europe, particularly in Finland, where it is one of the most frequently used surnames in the country. It is also found in Germany, where it is spelled "Wanninen," and in Sweden, where it is spelled "Vanninen."
The origins of this surname are unclear, though some suggest it may be derived from the Old Swedish or Old Finnish words “wann” or “vanne” meaning “waterway” or “swamp.” Other theories suggest that it may be derived from the Old Swedish word “wann” meaning “meadow” or the Old Finnish word “vanne” meaning “ditch” or “causeway.”
The WANNINEN family line is believed to have arrived in Finland sometime around the 16th century. They were believed to be of Viking or German descent, and were likely members of one of the larger Swedish-Finnish clans. Over the centuries, the family made their home in a number of different regions of Finland, from the province of Lapland in the north to the province of Kymenlaakso in the south.
Today, WANNINEN can be found scattered throughout Finland and in other countries around the world. Many members of this surname are known to have emigrated to Canada, the United States, and Australia during the 20th and 21st centuries.
While the name is less common in Europe today, it is still an integral part of Finnish culture and history. It is also widely spread throughout the United States and Canada, where it is still a well-recognized surname.
Variations of the surname Wanninen
The surname WANNINEN is a variant of the Finnish “Vanninen”. It comes from the Old Norse personal name Váni, which is derived from a word meaning “want” or “desire”. Throughout the centuries, the surname Wanninen has been spelled in a variety of different ways, including Vanninen, Vaninen, Vanin, Vanni, Vane, Vaina, Wanninen and Wenden. Variants of the surname Wanninen can be found throughout Europe, and the United States.
In Finland, Vanninen is the most common spelling of the surname. As of the 2000 Finnish census, a total of 1,603 people bore the surname Vanninen. The surname is also well-represented in Sweden, where the census of 2000 listed 1,213 people with the surname Vanninen.
In other areas of Europe, the surname is found in varying spellings. Earlier records of the surname Wanninen in Germany show it spelled as Wenden, Vaninen and Vani. In England, the surname is recorded as Wanin, Vainey and Vennin. The variations in spelling may have been due to translations from the original Finnish language, or through misspellings as the surname spread across Europe.
In the United States, a number of immigrants from Finland, Germany and England have kept the surname Wanninen. The spelling of the name can be found in records from the late 19th century and early 20th century spelled as Wanninen, Vaninen, Vanin, Vanni, Vane, Vaina, Wanninen and Wenden.
Today, the surname Wanninen is one of the most commonly encountered Finnish surnames, with variations in spelling throughout Europe and United States.
Famous people with the name Wanninen
- Beverly Wanninen: American basketball player who played in the Women's Basketball Association in the 1980s.
- Kari Wanninen: Finnish fashion designer renowned for her unique, avant-garde designs.
- Wendy Wanninen: Test and trial lawyer at the Vancouver law firm of Robins Appleby LLP who specializes in employment and labour law.
- John Wanninen: An energy and environment scientist and advocate.
- Roger Wanninen: A Swedish actor, best known for his role in the Swedish tv show “Andra Avenyn”.
- Toni Wanninen: A Finnish street artist, his trademark is his impressionistic urban murals.
- Brian Wanninen: American professional boxer, also known as "The Forgotten Warrior", who competed from 2004-2009.
- Marja-Liisa Wanninen: A Finnish archaeologist with a special interest in the Iron Age.
- Akseli Wanninen: A Finnish modernist artist whose landscape paintings are featured in many galleries around the world.
- Alfred Wanninen: An Australian musician and composer, best known for composing several successful musicals.