The name "sauna" is thought to be derived from the Finnish word savuna, meaning "in smoke," reflecting the origins of the sauna as a smoke sauna.
The original sauna was called "savu," which is Finnish for smoke. According to available information, the name sauna is believed to be a derivative of savuna, literally meaning "in smoke." This makes sense, considering the earliest saunas were smoke saunas. These savu saunas would fill with smoke from a wood-burning stove without a chimney, and the smoke would eventually be vented out before the sauna was used.
Later, saunas evolved to incorporate metal woodstove heaters with a chimney. However, the name sauna, with its roots in the savu tradition, stuck. Wherever Finns traveled, they brought their sauna culture and the name with them.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Original Sauna | "Savu" (smoke sauna) – no chimney, filled with smoke |
| Name Origin | Savuna (Finnish for "in smoke") |
| Modern Saunas | Evolved to include metal woodstove heaters with chimneys |
| Cultural Spread | Finns carried the sauna culture and name wherever they went |
