Dutch Names

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".

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.

Stick with the original.

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.

Rineke is a diminutive of a diminutive, which might have remained unknown outside The Netherlands were it not for the wonderful photographer Rineke Dijkstra.

Has an almost comical enthusiastic feel that may not translate to this culture.

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.

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.

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.

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).

This Dutch variation of Walter is pronounced vow-ter, although Americans will likely default to wooter or wowter.

A name that seems to switch genders when it switches nationalities.

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.