Dutch Names
Across 10 pages
of 10
Vandyke
Dutch
"of the dyke"
Though it has worthy associations with the Old Master painter and singer-songwriter Van Dyke Parks, this would be tough on a child because of the slang meaning of the second syllable.
Vincentius
Vincentius is the original Latin form of the name Vincent, derived from the Roman name 'Vincentius' which stems from 'vincens' meaning 'conquering' or 'victorious.' This masculine name carries a…
Wouter
Dutch, variation of Walter
"army ruler"
This Dutch variation of Walter is pronounced vow-ter, although Americans will likely default to wooter or wowter.
Weit
Weit is an uncommon masculine name with Germanic origins. As a given name, it likely derives from the German word 'weit' meaning 'wide' or 'far,' possibly indicating broad horizons or far-reaching…
Wessel
Wessel is a masculine name with Germanic and Dutch origins. Derived from the medieval Germanic name 'Wessilo' or 'Wesselin,' it's a diminutive form meaning 'little descendant of Wesso.' The root…
Pim
Dutch diminutive of Willem or William
"resolute protection"
Short but spirited, Pim is in the Top 200 in The Netherlands, though it is little-known elsewhere. A diminutive of Willem (or William), it possibly emerged via its rhyme with alternative, more direct…
Scyler
Spelling variation of Schuyler, Dutch
"scholar"
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.
Anouck
Dutch and French variation of Anna
As Anouk, a name that's newly popular in The Netherlands, this spelling is borne by Belgian supermodel Anouck Lepere.
Doutzen
Dutch, meaning unknown
Dutch supermodel Doutzen (pronounced doubt-son) Kroes has introduced us to a name from the Netherlands that might have a hard time in an American classroom and is nowhere near as glamorous as its…
Arjan
Dutch, Punjabi, Albanian
"from Hadria; gaining; golden life"
There's something particularly attractive about names with an interior " j " and Arjan is a prime example. The Punjabi version is pronounced with a conventional j as in jar; the Dutch Arjan, which is…
Eleonara
Italian, German, Dutch, and Polish version of Eleanor
"bright, shining one"
The usual form of Eleonara is Eleanora, with each syllable pronounced, but transposing, adding, or subtracting a vowel or syllable here or there works fine and adds to the international, feminine…
Sem
Dutch form of Shem, Russian short form of Semyon, Hebrew
"name; he has heard"
A popular name in the Netherlands that's arguably more attractive than the original, Sem is a Dutch variant of the Biblical Shem who was one of the sons of Noah. Only ever given to a handful of boys…
Cas
Short form of Casper, Persian
"Imperial"
This short-but-strong name is popular for boys in The Netherlands. While Cass is usually a female name in the U.S., it feels just as right for boys.
Coen
Dutch diminutive of Coenraad, variation of Cohen, or Australian place name, "bold advisor; priest; thunder"
"bold advisor; priest; thunder"
Like many short forms now popular as full names in the Netherlands, Coen—also spelled Koen—originated as the diminutive of the more old-fashioned Coenraad, the Dutch Conrad. In this case, it would be…
Bruin
English or Dutch
"bear or brown"
Bruin is the Old English term for bear, taken from the Dutch word meaning brown. Bruin might be a sports fan's choice or an animal name in hiding. As a kind of hybrid of Roone and Bruno, it's…
Siemen
Siemen is a masculine name with Dutch and Frisian origins, essentially a variant form of Simon. The name derives from the Hebrew name Shimon, meaning 'he has heard' or 'listening.' In parts of the…
Stijn
Dutch short form
As you may surmise from its origins as a short form for Constantijn and Augustijn, Stijn rhymes with nine and fine, though most English-speakers wouldn't guess that. A popular name in the Netherlands…
Jannik
Dutch and German variation of John
"God is gracious"
Popular form of John in Germany. Just remember to pronounce it YAHN-nik, which most English-speakers won't. Jannick is another spelling.
Jannick
Dutch and German form of John
"God is gracious"
Another spelling of JANNIK, a John form that has a terminally Olde Worlde sound to the American ear.
Thijs
Dutch short form of Matthijs
"gift of God"
Usually pronounced to rhyme with nice — though others may rhyme it with Jace — Thijs is a popular Dutch name short for that country's form of Matthew. Matt Lauer's half-Dutch son is called Thijs.