Tapio, bear king and ruler of the forest, is an East Finnish forest god, who figured prominently in the Kalevala, the national epic of Finland. Hunters prayed to him before a hunt and his wife Mielikki is asked to protect cattle grazing in the forest. In a country where the forest was central to providing food through hunting, gathering and cattle grazing, it was thought very important to stay on his and her good side. One of Tapios form was the huge bear, the father of all bears.

These days Tapio's a very common first name in Finland.