Kalle is a masculine given name of

North Germanic The North Germanic languages make up one of the three branches of the Germanic languages—a sub-family of the Indo-European languages—along with the West Germanic languages and the extinct East Germanic languages. The language group is also r ...

origin, a variation of

Karl Karl may refer to: People * Karl (given name), including a list of people and characters with the name * Karl der Große, commonly known in English as Charlemagne * Karl Marx, German philosopher and political writer * Karl of Austria, last Austria ...

. In Sweden, people named Karl are commonly nicknamed Kalle. The name is also found in

Finland Finland ( fi, Suomi ; sv, Finland ), officially the Republic of Finland (; ), is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It shares land borders with Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of B ...

and

Estonia Estonia, formally the Republic of Estonia, is a country by the Baltic Sea in Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland across from Finland, to the west by the sea across from Sweden, to the south by Latvia, a ...

Notable people with the name include:

Given name

Kalle Anttila Kaarlo Johan Jalmari "Kalle" Anttila (30 August 1887 – 10 October 1949) was a Finnish Finnish may refer to: * Something or someone from, or related to Finland * Culture of Finland * Finnish people or Finns, the primary ethnic group in Fin ...

(1887–1975), Finnish freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestler and Olympic medalist *

Kalle Bask Kalle Bask is a Finnish sailor. He competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the Sailing at the 2012 Summer Olympics – 49er, 49er class, with helmsman Lauri Lehtinen (sailor), Lauri Lehtinen. References

Finnish male sailors (sport) Year of ...

(born 1982), Finnish sailor and Olympic competitor *

Kalle Björklund Kalle is a masculine given name of North Germanic origin, a variation of Karl. In Sweden, people named Karl are commonly nicknamed Kalle. The name is also found in Finland and Estonia Notable people with the name include: Given name * Kalle An ...

(born 1953), Swedish footballer *

Kalle Brink Karl Henrik Brink (born 12 August 1975) is a Swedish professional golfer who has played on the European Tour and the Challenge Tour. Brink was born in Helsingborg, Sweden. His sister, Maria, is also a professional golfer, who has competed on t ...

(born 1975), Swedish professional golfer *

Kalle Coster Kalle Kristian Coster (born 9 December 1982 in Leiden) is a sailor from the Netherlands. Coster represented his country for the first time at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. With his brother Sven Coster as helmsman, Coster took 6th place as ...

(born 1982), Dutch sailor and Olympic medalist *

Kalle Dalin Kalle Dalin (born March 8, 1975) is a Sweden, Swedish orienteering Competition, competitor and European champion. He received a gold medal in ''long distance'' at the 2004 European Orienteering Championships, and also a bronze medal in the Relay ...

(born 1975), Swedish orienteering competitor * Kalle Eerola (born 1983), Finnish professional football midfielder *

Kalle Eller Kalle Eller (pseudonym Kalle Istvan Eller; 7 May 1940 – 10 January 2023)Kalle Grünthal (born 1960), Estonian politician *

Kalle Havulinna Kalle Havulinna (September 27, 1924 – July 9, 2016)) was a Finnish professional ice hockey player who played in the top professional league in Finland, the SM-liiga. He played 10 seasons with the Tampere Ilves. He was inducted into the Finnish ...

(born 1924), Finnish professional ice hockey player *

Kalle Jalkanen Kalle Jalkanen (10 May 1907 in Suonenjoki – 5 September 1941 in Kirjasalo) was a Finnish cross-country skier who competed in the late 1930s. He won a gold medal at the 1936 Winter Olympics in Garmisch-Partenkirchen in the 4 × 10 km relay. ...

(1907–1941), Finnish cross-country skier and Olympic medalist *

Kalle Jents Kalle Jents (born 22 June 1957, in Karksi-Nuia) is an Estonian politician who represented the Estonian Reform Party in the Riigikogu from 2011 to 2015. He graduated from the Nuia Secondary School in 1975 (also known as August Kitzberg Gymnasium) ...

(born 1957), Estonian politician *

Kalle Jürgenson Kalle Jürgenson (born 1 September 1960 in Tallinn) is an Estonian astrophysicist and politician. He was a member of VII, VIII and IX Riigikogu IX Riigikogu was the ninth legislature of the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu The Riigikogu (; fr ...

(born 1960), Estonian astrophysicist and politician *

Kalle Kaijomaa Kalle Kaijomaa (born June 1, 1984) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for Schwenninger Wild Wings of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). Playing career Undrafted, Ka ...

(born 1984), Finnish ice hockey defenceman *

Kalle Kainuvaara Kalle Kainuvaara (19 March 1891 – 21 October 1943) was a Finnish diver who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics and 1920 Summer Olympics. He was born in Kuopio, Finland. In 1912 he competed in both the men's 10 metre platform and men's p ...

(1891–1943), Finnish diver and Olympic competitor * Kalle Kaljurand (born 1960), Estonian badminton player *

Kalle Käsper Kalle Käsper (born 1952 in Tallinn) is an Estonian writer. Biography Käsper was the husband of Armenian writer Gohar Markosjan-Käsper. Notable works by Käsper include "Buridanid", "Taani prints Hamlet, nuhk" (''Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, a Sp ...

(born 1952), Estonian author *

Kalle Katajisto Kalle Katajisto (born 24 April 1991) is a Finnish former motorcycle speedway rider. Career Katajisto was a member of the Finnish national team. He rode in the British leagues when he signed for Edinburgh Monarchs in 2007. He stayed with the Sc ...

(born 1991), Finnish motorcycle speedway rider *

Kalle Kauppi Kalle Kauppi (born 6 May 1992) is a Finnish footballer currently playing for Finnish club Åbo IFK Åbo IFK (or ÅIFK for short) is a sports club from Turku, Finland. The club was founded in 1908, and originally represented the Swedish-sp ...

(born 1992), Finnish footballer *

Kalle Keituri Kalle Keituri (born 25 April 1984) is a Finnish former ski jumper who competed from 2002 to 2014. He debuted in the Continental Cup in 2002 after winning a bronze medal at the 2002 Junior World Championship in Schonach. On 1 March 2002 he made ...

(born 1984), Finnish ski jumper and Olympic competitor *

Kalle Kiik Kalle Kiik (born 10 February 1963) is an Estonian chess player, who won the Estonian Chess Championship. He was awarded the International Master title in 1993. Biography Kiik was born in Paide, the son of Estonian chess coach Jakob Kiik (12.05. ...

(born 1963), Estonian chess player and coach * Kalle Kiiskinen (born 1975), Finnish curler and Olympic competitor *

Kalle Könkkölä Kalle Könkkölä Kalle Kustaa Topias Könkkölä (16 January 1950 – 11 September 2018) was a Finnish politician and human rights activist. He was one of the two first Green members of the Finnish Parliament, from 1983 to 1987, even before t ...

(born 1950), Finnish politician *

Kalle Kriit Kalle Kriit (born 13 November 1983 in Elva) is an Estonian professional racing cyclist who last rode for UCI Professional Continental Team . His nickname is ''Estonian Emperor''. Major results ;2002 : 1st Under-23 National Road Race Champions ...

(born 1983), Estonian professional racing cyclist *

Kalle Kulbok Kalle Kulbok (born 3 April 1956 in Tallinn) is an Estonian politician. Education Kulbok attended the Nõo Gymnasium and achieved good results on national olympiads of mathematics. By his skills, he could have qualified for the all-Union o ...

(born 1956), Estonian politician *

Kalle Kurg Kalle Kurg (born 25 May 1942 in Tartu) is an Estonian poet, writer, critic, translator and editor. As a versatile figure in Estonian culture, he has also published caricatures and worked as a theatre director. Life Kalle Kurg studied Estonian Ph ...

(born 1942), Estonian poet, writer, critic, translator and editor *

Kalle Laanet Kalle Laanet (born 25 September 1965, in Orissaare, Saare County) is Estonian politician and police officer. He is member of XIV Riigikogu. Since 2014 he belongs to Estonian Reform Party. 2002–04 he was police prefect of Tallinn ( et, Tallinna ...

(born 1965), Estonian politician * Kalle Lappalainen (1877–1965), Finnish sport shooter and Olympic medalist * Kalle Larsson (born 1969), Swedish politician *

Kalle Lasn Kalle Lasn () (born March 24, 1942) is an Estonian-Canadian film maker, author, magazine editor, and activist. Near the end of World War II, his family fled Estonia and Lasn spent some time in a German refugee camp. At age seven he was resettled ...

(born 1942), Estonian-born Canadian film maker, author, magazine editor and activist * Kalle Lassila (born 1985), Finnish cross country skier and Olympic competitor * Kalle Maalahti (born 1991), Finnish professional ice hockey player *

Kalle Mäkinen Kalle Mäkinen (born 1 February 1989) is a Finnish footballer who last played for the Finnish Veikkausliiga club Maskun Palloseura Maskun Palloseura (abbreviated Masku) is an association football Association football, more commonly known ...

(born 1989), Finnish footballer *

Kalle Mattson Kalle Mattson (born Kalle Mattson Wainio, September 21, 1990, in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario) is a Canadian singer-songwriter based in Ottawa, Ontario. He has performed both as a solo artist and as the leader of an eponymous band. History Wainio ...

(born 1990), Canadian musician * Kalle Mikkonen (born 1976), Finnish sprint canoer and Olympic competitor * Kalle Moraeus (born 1963), Swedish musician * Kalle Muuli (born 1958), Estonian journalist, poet and politician * Kalle Multanen (born 1989), Finnish professional footballer * Kalle Nämdeman (1883–1945), Swedish songwriter, performer and recording artist *

Kalle Olsson Kalle Olsson (born January 31, 1985) is a Swedish former professional ice hockey player. He most recently played for Örebro HK in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). Olsson was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the fifth round, 147th overall, of ...

(born 1984), Swedish politician *

(born 1985), Swedish professional ice hockey player *

Kalle Päätalo Kaarlo (Kalle) Alvar Päätalo (11 November 1919 – 20 November 2000) was a Finnish novelist, the most popular Finnish writer in the 20th century. His ''Iijoki'' series, comprising 26 novels, is one of the longest autobiographical works ever ...

, (1919–2000), Finnish novelist * Kalle Palander (born 1977), Finnish alpine skier * Kalle Palling (born 1985), Estonian politician * Kalle Parviainen (born 1982), Finnish football striker * Kalle Randalu (born 1956), Estonian pianist *

Kalle Rovanperä Kalle Rovanperä (; born 1 October 2000 in Jyväskylä) is a Finnish professional rally driver, who competes in the World Rally Championship for Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, alongside co-driver Jonne Halttunen. He is the reigning World Champion. ...

(born 2000), Finnish rally driver * Kalle Samuelsson (born 1986), Swedish Bandy player *

Kalle Spjuth Kalle Spjuth (born 27 May 1984) is a retired Sweden, Swedish bandy player who played as a forward. Kalle is the younger brother of Slottsbrons IF player Per Spjuth and IK Tellus player Ola Spjuth. Kalle signed for Russian team Uralsky Trubnik afte ...

(born 1984), Swedish Bandy player *

Kalle Svensson Karl-Oskar Svensson (11 November 1925 – 15 July 2000), often nicknamed Rio-Kalle, was a Swedish football goalkeeper from Helsingborg. He played on elite level for Helsingborgs IF during his whole career, debuting in Allsvenskan only 18 ...

(1925–2000), Swedish football goalkeeper * Kalle Tuppurainen (1904–1954), Finnish skier and Olympic competitor * Kalle Varonen (born 1974), Finnish freestyle swimmer * Kalle Vellevoog (born 1963), Estonian architect * Kalle Westerdahl (born 1966), Swedish film and television actor * Kalle Westerlund (1897–1972), Finnish wrestler and Olympic medalist Fictional characters: * Kalle, a fictional Finnish talk show host portrayed by

Kristen Wiig Kristen Carroll Wiig (; born August 22, 1973) is an American actress, comedian, screenwriter, and producer. Born in Canandaigua, New York, she was raised in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and Rochester, New York. She moved to Los Angeles, where she jo ...

on ''

Saturday Night Live ''Saturday Night Live'' (often abbreviated to ''SNL'') is an American late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels and developed by Dick Ebersol that airs on NBC and Peacock (streaming service), Peacock. ...

'' *''Kalle Blomkvist'', a fictional character created by Astrid Lindgren; see

Bill Bergson Bill Bergson ( sv, Kalle Blomkvist) is a fictional character created by Swedish writer Astrid Lindgren. The first book featuring him was published in 1946. Lindgren's detective story is about Bill Bergson, a more-or-less ordinary Swedish boy with ...

Surname

Maya Kalle-Bentzur Maya may refer to: Civilizations * Maya peoples, of southern Mexico and northern Central America ** Maya civilization, the historical civilization of the Maya peoples ** Maya language, the languages of the Maya peoples * Maya (Ethiopia), a popula ...

(born 1958), Israeli Olympic runner and long jumper * Wilhelm Ferdinand Kalle (1870-1954), German chemist, industrialist and politician

Stage name

Le Grand Kallé Joseph Athanase Tshamala Kabasele (16 December 1930 in Matadi, Belgian Congo (now Democratic Republic of the Congo) – 11 February 1983 in Paris, France), popularly known as Le Grand Kallé, was a Congolese singer and bandleader, considered the ...

, a Congolese musician *

Pépé Kallé Pépé Kallé, sometimes written as Pepe Kalle (November 30, 1951 – November 29, 1998) was a Congolese soukous singer, musician and bandleader. Biography Pépé Kallé was born Kabasele Yampanya in Kinshasa (then Léopoldville) in the Belgia ...

, a Congolese musician

Given name

Surname

Stage name

See also