Celebrating the Ilmatar name: what does the name mean?

According to the mythical Kalevala saga, Ilmatar, Goddess of the Air and daughter of the sky, floated for centuries over the primeval waters and descended to rest in the sea. A scoup landed in her lap where it laid seven eggs, from which the earth, sky, moon, stars and sun hatched.

Considering the mythological meaning of Ilmatar, it is not a coincidence that our company is called Ilmatar as company’s original business was based on wind power generation. In 2011, Kalle Pykälä and Mikko Toivanen founded a company called Ilmatar Windpower, making it one of the first actors in the industry in Finland. They wanted to contribute to a new, more sustainable world, just like the mystical goddess Ilmatar in the Finnish epic Kalevala.

Ilmatar as a company is committed to sustainable development, and its activities are based on harnessing the sources of nature to produce clean energy. Today, Ilmatar harnesses not only wind but also the power of the sun to generate renewable energy and promotes a more flexible energy ecosystem through energy storage in the Nordics. Ilmatar’s mythical name encapsulates the idea of how combining natural forces with technology can bring positive change to the world.

What does the word Ilmatar mean to Ilmatarians

To mark our company’s name day, we asked our employees in different offices, what does the word Ilmatar mean to them. This is what Ilmatarians say:

“Ilmatar has always represented a Finnish company to me. The story of Ilmatar is truly epic, so it’s only natural that the story behind the name is equally grand— the creation of the world!”

“For me, the name Ilmatar symbolises a strong connection to Finnish roots, traditions and culture, while at the same time representing openness to globalisation. Ilmatar embodies a Finnish identity that can move freely around the world, combining Finnish cultural heritage with the global. It reflects pride in being Finnish and the desire to share this with the world, as well as the ability to embrace and appreciate diverse cultures and perspectives.”

“For me, the name Ilmatar represents the power of creation and the connection with nature. Her story of a world born from the forces of air and sea resonates deeply with my work in offshore wind energy. The importance of air and wind in Ilmatar’s name is a direct reminder of the importance of working with and on the terms of nature. Ilmatar also symbolises embracing change and creating new opportunities – values that are present in my daily work”.

” Determined, persistance, capable, forward, knowledge hungry, longevity & sustainable.”

“Ilmatar is very dear to me. For me, Ilmatar symbolises a community where everyone’s voice counts, and everyone’s contribution is valuable. The name encapsulates the idea of continuous growth and learning, and a reminder that every day is a new opportunity to evolve and find better ways of doing things. It’s a promise of a future where dreams can come true if you dare to dream and work for them.”