Finnic History & Mythology

Kaleva, Kalevi, Kalev and names similar to that are often mentioned in Finnic folk poetry. The name Kalev(a) is usually linked with heroes, giants or kings. Sons of Kalev(a) are more commonly mentioned than Kalev(a) himself. Truth be told very little is known about the origins of the name Kalev(a). Was it just a common name? Perhaps a ruler family name? Or was it a general name given for all the greatest heroes out there? Some researchers think the name was linked with a noble warrior society who were called Kalevians. Historical mentions of Kaleva are scarce.

Widsith is an Old English poem written approximately in the 7th century (c. 600-700 AD) although the only remaining version of the poem today is part of a larger collection of poems which was released in the 10th century (c. 900-1000 AD). Widsith describes various leaders and places in Europe. Widsith states the following:

Original: Casere weold Creacum ond Cælic Finnum - Translation: Caesar ruled the Greeks and Caelic the Finns

So there was someone named Cælic who ruled the Finns much like Caesar ruled the Greeks? Does Cælic actually mean Kalev(i)? It would seem quite plausible. Caelic could refer to a single chief who happened to be leading some coastal Finnic tribes at the time of writing or perhaps Caelic isn't a name at all but rather a title. It could have been a name at first and later it became a title after a great leader much like what happened with Caesar.