NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Vesa

A masculine Finnish name meaning "dear, little one".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2020. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Vesa is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Vesa popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2020 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5493, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2000, with 5 births.

This profile covers 24 England and Wales registrations across 6 recorded years from 2000 to 2020. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 60% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 24 living people in the UK are called Vesa. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2021 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Vesa ranked #5493 for girls in England and Wales in 2020, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2000, when 5 girls were registered as Vesa.
  • About 24 living people in the UK are estimated to have Vesa as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5493

2020

Births in 2020

3

Latest year

Peak year

2000

5 births

Estimated living

24

2026

Meaning

What does Vesa mean?

The given name Vesa has its origins in Finland, where it is a relatively common male name. It is derived from the Finnish word "vesa," which means a sprout, shoot, or sapling, symbolizing growth and new life.

Vesa is an ancient name that can be traced back to the pre-Christian era in Finland. It was likely used by the Finnish people long before the introduction of Christianity to the region in the 12th century. The name's connection to nature and the cycles of growth and renewal may have held significance in the pagan beliefs of the time.

In the medieval period, the name Vesa appears in various Finnish historical records and documents, although specific examples are scarce due to the limited written records from that era. It is believed that the name remained in use among the Finnish population throughout the centuries, passed down through generations.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Vesa was Vesa Arffman, a Finnish military officer who lived in the 16th century. He served in the Swedish army during the reign of King Gustav Vasa and played a role in the wars against Russia.

Another notable historical figure bearing the name Vesa was Vesa-Pekka Rannikko, a Finnish politician and diplomat who served as the Prime Minister of Finland from 1964 to 1966. He was born in 1901 and played a significant role in Finland's political landscape during the mid-20th century.

In the field of sports, Vesa Toskala, a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender, achieved recognition in the early 2000s. He was born in 1977 and played for several teams in the National Hockey League (NHL), including the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Calgary Flames.

Vesa Lehtonen, a Finnish artist known for his abstract expressionist paintings, was an influential figure in the Finnish art scene during the latter half of the 20th century. He was born in 1923 and his works are part of many prestigious collections around the world.

Another notable individual with the name Vesa was Vesa-Matti Loiri, a Finnish actor, singer, and comedian who gained immense popularity in Finland during the latter part of the 20th century. He was born in 1945 and has been a household name in the Finnish entertainment industry for decades.

While the name Vesa has maintained its popularity in Finland, it has also been used to a lesser extent in other Nordic countries and among Finnish diaspora communities around the world. However, its roots and historical significance remain deeply intertwined with the Finnish language and culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Vesa over time

The chart below shows babies named Vesa registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2000 to 2020. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Vesa, the clearest high point is 2000. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2020, compared with 5 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Vesa
01345200020102020

Decades

Vesa by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Vesa was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #5493 3 1
2010s #5785 3 1
2000s #3645 18 4

Related

Names similar to Vesa

FAQ

Vesa: questions and answers

How popular is the name Vesa in the UK right now?

In 2020, Vesa was ranked #5493 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Vesa most popular?

The peak year on record was 2000, with 5 babies registered as Vesa in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Vesa?

A masculine Finnish name meaning "dear, little one".

How many people are called Vesa in the UK?

A total of 24 babies have been registered as Vesa across the 6 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.