Dutch Names
- Benedick
Origin:
Variation of Benedict, LatinMeaning:
"blessed"Description:
Stick with the original.
- Annemieke
Origin:
Dutch variation of Anne-MarieDescription:
A variation on Anne-Marie, this sweet name deserves the attention of some Anglophone parents. Note that "Mieke" rhymes with "Peak-a" not "Pike-a".
- Jetje
Origin:
Dutch diminutive of names ending in jetDescription:
Like Jette, Jetje is kind of a diminutive for a diminutive: The suffix je indicates the name is a pet form -- think Katje for Katharina --in this case of Jet, itself a short form of names such as Henriette or Mariette. An English equivalent might be Ettie.
- Siemen
- Bastiaan
Origin:
Dutch short form of Sebastian, Latin from GreekMeaning:
"man of Sebastia"Description:
Bastiaan is a common Dutch form of Bastian, a short form of Sebastian that stands on its own. While the double A is not intuitive for English speakers, the name is widely used in the Netherlands.
- Scyler
Origin:
Spelling variation of Schuyler, DutchMeaning:
"scholar"Description:
This name has spawned dozens of spelling variations, but this is one of the more unusual. People won't know whether the c is silent or pronounced as a k.
- Arje
- Eugenius
Origin:
Latin form of Eugene, GreekMeaning:
"well-born, noble"Description:
The yoo sound at the beginning of a name has not typically been attractive to the modern ear. Probably the most appealing form of this ancient name has been the feminized Eugenie, thanks to the British princess.
- Friso
Origin:
FrisianMeaning:
"a Frisian"Description:
Friso is a name that refers to Frisian person living in the Dutch province of Friesland. The name has become more popular in recent years as it was used for a member of the Dutch royal family, making it one of the more adventurous royal baby names.
- Heinrik
- Wouter
Origin:
Dutch, variation of WalterMeaning:
"army ruler"Description:
This Dutch variation of Walter is pronounced vow-ter, although Americans will likely default to wooter or wowter.
- Cees
- Karel
Origin:
Czech variation of CharlesDescription:
A name that seems to switch genders when it switches nationalities.
- Rineke
Origin:
Dutch, diminutive of RinaDescription:
Rineke is a diminutive of a diminutive, which might have remained unknown outside The Netherlands were it not for the wonderful photographer Rineke Dijkstra.
- Valentijan
- Marijse
Origin:
Dutch form of MarieMeaning:
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"Description:
Derived from Marie, the meaning of which is uncertain. Theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea"); "bitter" (from Hebrew marah "bitterness"); and "beloved" (from the Egyptian root mr).
- Joop
Origin:
Dutch, diminutive of JohannesDescription:
Has an almost comical enthusiastic feel that may not translate to this culture.
- Wessel
- Kees
Origin:
Dutch diminutive of Cornelius or CornelisMeaning:
"horn"Description:
This diminutive of Cornelius (and Cornelis) has plenty of coolness and charm, along with a creative connection to Dutch artist Kees van Dongen. Popular in The Netherlands, it sounds similar to the English Case.
- Christiaan