Dutch Baby Names for Boys

  1. Jens
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian variation of Johannes or John
    • Description:

      Short but substantial Nordic name that travels well -- although it runs the risk of being confused with all the feminine Jen names.
  2. Bart
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Bartholomew, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "son of the earth"
    • Description:

      Permanent property of that devilish little Simpson kid.
  3. Pim
    • Origin:

      Dutch diminutive of Willem or William
    • Meaning:

      "resolute protection"
    • Description:

      The short, cute Pim is a Top 100 boys' name in The Netherlands though little-known outside that country. But in a family overrun with Williams, Pim could make an original nickname setting a modern child apart from father Will and grandpa Bill.
  4. Raf
    • Origin:

      Short form of Rafael, Spanish variation of Raphael
    • Description:

      Raf is a raffish short form that many a cool boy would love to call his own.
  5. Joris
    • Origin:

      Dutch variation of George
    • Meaning:

      "farmer"
    • Description:

      A fresh Dutch take on George, although you’re likely to get pronunciation errors upon first meetings.
  6. Niels
    • Origin:

      Danish variation of Nicholas; Dutch diminutive of Cornelius
    • Description:

      Gives middle-aged Neil a new lease on life.
  7. Mees
    • Origin:

      Dutch diminutive of Bartholomeus
    • Meaning:

      "son of Talmai"
    • Description:

      Popular Dutch name that reflects the short, clipped style in vogue in that country. Another Bartholomeus or Bartholomew short form also popular there is Bart.
  8. Matthijs
    • Sem
      • Origin:

        Dutch form of Shem, Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "name"
      • Description:

        Popular name in the Netherlands that's arguably more attractive than the original Shem, who was one of the biblical sons of Noah. A Sam alternative, though you'll forever be explaining it.
    • Tijn
      • Origin:

        Dutch diminutive of Martijn or Augustijn
      • Description:

        This short form stands alone in its native Netherlands.
    • Loek
      • Origin:

        Dutch diminutive of Lucas, Latin
      • Meaning:

        "man from Lucania"
    • Pieter
      • Cornelis
        • Gijs
          • Origin:

            Dutch short form of Gilbert
          • Description:

            Popular Dutch name Gijs, which rhymes with nice, originated as a short form of Gijsbert, which itself is a Dutch and Germanic form of Gilbert. Though in the Top 100 in The Netherlands, we don't see this emigrating beyond Amsterdam and environs.
        • Kay
          • Bas
            • Origin:

              Dutch, diminutive of Bastiaan and Sebastian
            • Meaning:

              "person from the city of Sebastia"
            • Description:

              Bas is a fashionable name in its own right in the Netherlands, where it's been in the Top 10. Used throughout Europe, it may have a future here as a straightforward-but-charming nickname name. Baz is another, similar and more appealing possibility.
          • Dani
            • Origin:

              Diminutive of Daniel
            • Description:

              Dani sounds like Donny, looks like Danny, and feels like a girls' name.
          • Joost
            • Origin:

              Dutch
            • Meaning:

              "just"
            • Description:

              Like many Dutch names, this one, pronounced 'yoost' has an upbeat sound. Also spelled Joos, as in sixteenth century Netherlandish master Joos van Cleve, one of the first to introduce background landscapes in his paintings.
          • Guus
            • Origin:

              Dutch diminutive of Gustaaf, Teutonic
            • Meaning:

              "staff of the Goths"
            • Description:

              The Dutch answer to Gus.
          • Wout
            • Origin:

              Diminutive of Wouter, Dutch from Old German
            • Meaning:

              "army ruler"
            • Description:

              The Dutch equivalent of Walt makes the Top 100 in Belgium, where Flemish parents love short, sweet names.