Surname Hokkanen - Meaning and Origin
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Hokkanen: What does the surname Hokkanen mean?
Hokkanen is a Finnish surname, derived from the word “hokk”, which means “seal”. The name can be found in both Sweden and Finland, although it is far more common in Finland.
The earliest recorded use of the name dates back to 1497, when Olavi Hiokkanen (Olavi Sealfather) was cited in the historical records of Finland. This suggests that the name was most likely first used by fishermen, who would have been in close contact with seals and may have taken on the name as a symbol of their occupation.
Today, the name Hokkanen is still relatively common in Finland. According to the Finnish Population Register Centre, there were 2,140 people with the surname in Finland as of the end of December 2017.
Hokkanen is a unique and interesting name, with a strong association to the past. It’s a reminder that the people who adopted this surname had a very close bond with the sea and with the natural world. Even today, the name still carries those resonances from its long history.
Order DNA origin analysisHokkanen: Where does the name Hokkanen come from?
The last name Hokkanen is believed to have been around since the 1300s in Finland. It is of Swedish origin and has also been found in Sweden, Norway, Belgium, and the United States.
In Finland, Hokkanen is a fairly common last name, with nearly 11,000 people having that surname in 2020. It is the most common in the Northern Ostrobothnia region of Finland as well as Sotkamo, which is in the Kainuu region.
In Sweden, Hokkanen is not as common as in Finland. It is most common in Skåne, and Malmö is the one of the cities where the name is most widely found. It is also relatively common in the dialects spoken in the Gotland region.
In Norway, Hokkanen is not as prevalent compared to Finland and Sweden. It is most common in the southern part of the country, especially in the provinces of Oslo, Telemark, and Vestfold.
Hokkanen is also found in Belgium, mainly in the Flemish regions and in parts of the French-speaking Wallonia region.
In the United States, Hokkanen is fairly rare compared to other Finnish surnames. The most common states for Hokkanen are Minnesota, Michigan, New York, and California. The highest number of people with this surname is in California, with nearly 1,000 people carrying this last name.
Overall, Hokkanen is most common in the Northern Ostrobothnia region of Finland as well as the provinces of Skåne and Oslo in Sweden and Norway, respectively. It is also found in the US in Minnesota, Michigan, New York, and California.
Variations of the surname Hokkanen
Hokkanen is a Finnish surname and is most commonly spelled so. Variants often seen on documents and certificates include Hökkänen, Hökänen, Höckänen, Hokkanen, and Hökkinen.
The surnames Hokkanen and Hökkänen are often used interchangeably, however there are subtle differences in meaning. When the spelling is "Hokkanen," the name typically refers to someone who came from, or resides in, Hökänäni (or Hökänä) in northwestern Finland. When the spelling is "Hökkänen," the name is derived from the Finnish word "hökänä," which can mean a point or peak, or a swelling or protrusion on the ground or on the bottom of a lake.
Other surnames of the same origin include Hökkinen, Hökänen, and Höckänen. Hökkinen is typically derived from the Finnish word "hökki," meaning a small shed or booth. Hökänen odd is the northern variant of Hokkanen and derived from hökänä, similarly to Hökkänen. Lastly, Höckänen is the most common spelling form, featuring a double 'c' instead of a double 'k.' It is believed to be derived from the old Finnish word "höcke," meaning a steep river-bank or waterfall.
Given the close phonetic links between these variants, Hokkanen, Hökkänen, Hökkinen, Hökänen, and Höckänen can all refer to one and the same surname, with slight differences in meaning. Therefore, depending on the context, any of these spellings can be valid.
Famous people with the name Hokkanen
- Aleksi Hokkanen: Finnish snowboarder who is a four-time World Cup competitor, and a four-time national champion.
- Tero Hokkanen: a former Finnish cross country skier who competed from 1991-2002, winning several medals in World Cup events.
- Viktor Hokkanen: a former Finnish Paralympic athlete who competed in swimming events at the 2008 and 2012 Paralympic Games.
- Tuija Hokkanen: Finnish javelin thrower who competed in the 2004, 2008, and 2012 Summer Olympics.
- Antti Hokkanen: a former Finnish footballer who played for IFK Mariehamn during his career.
- Kimmo Hokkanen: a former Finnish professional rally driver who won three national championship titles.
- Outi Hokkanen: a Finnish singer, songwriter, and actress who released the album "Mittari" in 2005.
- Jari Hokkanen: a former Finnish freestyle skier who competed in the 1988 and 1992 Winter Olympics.
- Pauli Hokkanen: a former Finnish ice hockey player who competed in the 1984 and 1988 Winter Olympics.
- Juha Hokkanen: a Finnish chef and restaurateur who is the head chef and co-owner of the Michelin-starred restaurant, Hannibal.