Dutch Baby Names for Boys

An attractive and popular choice in the Netherlands, but not one we see making it to the Top 50 in the US anytime soon.

Pepijn, with its emphasis on the second syllable pronounced with a long i to rhyme with pine, is in the Dutch Top 100. Clipped, energetic-sounding nickname names such as Pep and Pip are stylish in The Netherlands. Could that translate to the English speaking world? Stay tuned.

Diminutive of Matthijs, the Dutch form of Matthew.

Gerard, Gerry, and Jerry may be so far out they may never come back in the U.S., but Jerry-equivalent Jurre is a Top 100 name in The Netherlands.

With its appealing double-a configuration, this is the name of an Israeli kibbutz on the Galilee beach. For girls, Saar is a popular modern name in the Netherlands, a shortened form of Sarah.

The Dutch love using short forms as full names, and so the popular name here is Faas -- who knows or cares what it was originally short for. In the US, this would be a very original name indeed -- it doesn't show up at all on the Social Security records. Pronunciation is like fast with the t at the end.

The most popular short form of Lucas in the Netherlands, the other being Loek.

Modern Dutch invention — the name of a 2013 science fiction movie and its lead character.

Has a lot of charm, giving the sense of opening the door to life, and has a creative connection to Dutch artist Kees van Dongen.

Joe is certainly easier, but this is quite fun to say.