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 of Austria, last Austrian Emperor * Karl (footballer) (born 1993), Karl Cac ...

. In

Sweden Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden, is a Nordic countries, Nordic country located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. It borders Norway to the west and north, and Finland to the east. At , Sweden is the largest Nordic count ...

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

Finland Finland, officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It borders Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of Bothnia to the west and the Gulf of Finland to the south, ...

and

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

. Notable people with the name include:

Given name

Kalle Anttila Kaarlo Johan Jalmari "Kalle" Anttila (30 August 1887 – 10 October 1949) was a Finnish wrestler. He won Olympic gold medals in the freestyle lightweight category in 1920 and in the Greco-Roman featherweight division in 1924. He also won world t ...

(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 The 2012 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the XXX Olympiad and also known as London 2012, were an international multi-sport event held from 27 July to 1 ...

(born 1982), Finnish sailor and Olympic competitor * Kalle Björklund (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. Early life Brink was born in Helsingborg, Sweden. His sister, Maria, is also a professional golfer, who has co ...

(born 1975), Swedish professional golfer * Kalle Coster (born 1982), Dutch sailor and Olympic medalist * Kalle Dalin (born 1975), Swedish orienteering competitor * Kalle Eerola (born 1983), Finnish professional football midfielder * Kalle Eller (1940–2023), Estonian poet, publisher, neopagan and writer * Kalle Grünthal (born 1960), Estonian politician *

Kalle Hakala Kalle Juhonpoika Hakala (18 March 188016 May 1947) was a Finland, Finnish newspaper editor, politician and member of the Parliament of Finland, the national legislature of Finland. A member of the Social Democratic Party of Finland, Social Democ ...

(1880-1947), Finnish 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 Finnis ...

(1924–2016), Finnish professional ice hockey player * Kalle Jalkanen (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 Estonia Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia, is a country in Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland across from Finland, to the west by the Baltic Se ...

(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, K ...

(born 1984), Finnish ice hockey defenceman * Kalle Kainuvaara (1891–1943), Finnish diver and Olympic competitor *

Kalle Kaljurand Kalle Kaljurand (born 12 May 1960) is an Estonian badminton player. He was born in Tartu. In 1983 he graduated from University of Tartu The University of Tartu (UT; ; ) is a public research university located in the city of Tartu, Estonia. It ...

(born 1960), Estonian badminton player *

Kalle Kankari Kaarle August Kankari (28 January 18895 June 1948) was a Finnish trade unionist, politician and member of the Parliament of Finland, the national legislature. A member of the Socialist Workers' Party, he represented Uusimaa between September 19 ...

(1889-1948), Finnish politician *

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. He earned 3 caps for the Finland national speedway team. Career Katajisto was a member of the Finnish national team. He rode in the British leagues when he si ...

(born 1991), Finnish motorcycle speedway rider *

Kalle Kauppi Kalle Kauppi (born 6 May 1992) is a Finnish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Kolmonen club Masku. Career Kauppi played for nine seasons for Inter Turku before joining fourth-tier Kolmonen club Masku Masku () is a munic ...

(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 Kalle Kiiskinen (born 6 September 1975 in Hyvinkää) is a Finnish curler. In Juniors, Kiiskinen played for Perttu Piilo and won a silver medal as his third at the 1997 World Junior Curling Championships. Kiiskinen then joined up with ...

(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 ...

(1950–2018), Finnish politician *

Kalle Korhonen Kaarlo (Kaarle) Eeronpoika Korhonen (; 27 December 187811 February 1938) was a Finnish farmer, politician and member of the Parliament of Finland, the national legislature of Finland. A member of the Social Democratic Party, he represented Oulu ...

(1878–1938), Finnish politician * Kalle Kriit (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 olympiad of mathematics, olympiads of mathematics. By his skills, he could have qualifi ...

(born 1956), Estonian politician * Kalle Kurg (born 1942), Estonian poet, writer, critic, translator and editor *

Kalle Laanet Kalle Laanet (born 25 September 1965) is an Estonian politician and police officer. He is member of XIV Riigikogu. Since 2014 he belongs to Estonian Reform Party. He served as Minister of Justice from April 2023 to April 2024 in the third cabine ...

(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 Kalle Maalahti (born 30 April 1991) is a Finnish professional ice hockey player who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played with HV71 in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). He previsouly played with SaiPa and Ilves of the L ...

(born 1991), Finnish professional ice hockey player *

Kalle Mäkinen Kalle Mäkinen (born 1 February 1989) is a Finland, Finnish association football, footballer who last played for the Finland, Finnish Veikkausliiga club Maskun Palloseura. He was nicknamed "Sergio" because his style of play was similar to that o ...

(born 1989), Finnish footballer * Kalle Mattson (born 1990), Canadian musician *

Kalle Mikkonen Kalle Mikkonen (born 18 June 1976 in Tampere) is a Finland, Finnish canoe racing, sprint canoer who has competed since the late 2000s. At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, he competed in the Canoeing at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's K-2 50 ...

(born 1976), Finnish sprint canoer and Olympic competitor *

Kalle Moraeus Karl Anders "Kalle" Moraeus (born 15 July 1963) is a Swedish musician, actor, composer and television presenter.Kalle Moraeus, official homepage. http://www.kallemoraeus.com/ Moraeus was born in Mora. He is a member of the folk group Orsa Spel ...

(born 1963), Swedish musician * Kalle Muuli (born 1958), Estonian journalist, poet and politician * Kalle Multanen (born 1989), Finnish professional footballer *

Kalle Nämdeman Kalle Nämdeman (31 December 1883 – 28 June 1945) was the stage name of Karl Gustafsson, a Swedish songwriter, performer and recording artist. Life and legacy As a young man Kalle Nämdeman apprenticed as a goldsmith, but he eventually began w ...

(1883–1945), Swedish songwriter, performer and recording artist * Kalle Olsson (born 1984), Swedish politician * Kalle Olsson (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) is a Finnish professional rally driver who competes in the World Rally Championship (WRC) for Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, alongside co-driver Jonne Halttunen. He is a double World Champion, having won the 20 ...

(born 2000), Finnish rally driver *

Kalle Samuelsson Kalle Samuelsson (born February 15, 1986) is a Swedish bandy player who plays for Västerås SK as a goalkeeper. Kalle was a youth product of Köpings IS. Kalle has played for three clubs: : Köpings IS (2003–2004) : Broberg/Söderhamn Band ...

(born 1986), Swedish Bandy player *

Kalle Spjuth Kalle Spjuth (born 27 May 1984) is a retired 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 after 2 ...

(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 ye ...

(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 Kalle Westerlund (22 September 1897 – 11 February 1972) was a Finnish wrestler. He was born in Helsinki, and was the brother of Edvard Westerlund and Emil Westerlund. He won an Olympic bronze medal in Greco-Roman wrestling Gre ...

(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. First breaking through as a performer with the Los Angeles comedy troupe The Groundlings, Wiig achieved stardom in the late 2000s for her ...

on ''

Saturday Night Live ''Saturday Night Live'' (''SNL'') is an American Late night television in the United States, late-night live television, live sketch comedy variety show created by Lorne Michaels and developed by Michaels and Dick Ebersol that airs on NBC. The ...

'' * Kalle Anka, the Swedish name for

Donald Duck Donald Fauntleroy Duck is a cartoon character created by the Walt Disney Company. Donald is an Anthropomorphism, anthropomorphic white duck with a yellow-orange bill, legs, and feet. He typically wears a sailor suit, sailor shirt and cap with ...

*''Kalle Blomkvist'', a fictional character created by

Astrid Lindgren Astrid Anna Emilia Lindgren (; ; 14 November 1907 – 28 January 2002) was a Swedish writer of fiction and screenplays. She is best known for several children's book series, featuring Pippi Longstocking, Emil i Lönneberga, Emil of Lönneberga, ...

; see

Bill Bergson Bill Bergson () 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 an extraordinary fas ...

Surname

Maya Kalle-Bentzur Maya may refer to: Ethnic groups * Maya peoples, of southern Mexico and northern Central America ** Maya civilization, the historical civilization of the Maya peoples ** Mayan languages, the languages of the Maya peoples * Maya (East Africa), a p ...

(born 1958), Israeli Olympic runner and long jumper *

Wilhelm Ferdinand Kalle Wilhelm (Jakob) Ferdinand Kalle (born 19 February 1870 in Biebrich (Wiesbaden); died 7 September 1954 in Wiesbaden) was a German chemist, industrialist and politician. Life His father was industrialist Wilhelme Kalle. He studied at Universi ...

(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 List of people from the Democratic Republic of t ...

, 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