Finland - Wikipedia
"The earliest written appearance of the name
Finland is thought to be on three
runestones. Two were found in the Swedish province of
Uppland and have the inscription
finlonti (
U 582). The third was found in
Gotland. It has the inscription
finlandi (
G 319) and dates back to the 13th century.
[27] The name can be assumed to be related to the tribe name
Finns, which is mentioned at first known time AD 98 (disputed meaning)"
"In the earliest historical sources from the 12th and 13th centuries,
the term Finland refers to the coastal region around Turku from Perniö to Uusikaupunki. This region later became known as Finland Proper in distinction from the country name Finland. Finland became a common name for the whole country in a centuries-long process that started when the
Catholic Church established missionary diocese in
Nousiainen in the northern part of the province of Suomi possibly sometime in the 12th century."