Dutch Names

A unisex Dutch name, derived from the Latin Marinus, Marijn is a nature-inspired option, connected to the ocean — however, the alternative meaning "of Mars" (as in the Roman god of war) is sometimes suggested. In recent years, the name has ranked higher for boys in the Netherlands, though it was in the charts for girls back in the 2000s. 



Marijn

A rare smoosh name, in the style of Liselotte, Hannelore, and Heiderose, Marilotte blends Maria or Marie with Charlotte diminutive, Lotte, giving  it a touch of classic elegance but a hint of fun too. 

Marilotte

A Dutch nature name, associated with the herb, marjoram, Marjolein may have shifted into a given name after being used as an elaboration of Maria or Marja. Once a popular choice in The Netherlands, it has now fallen out of favor, though short form Jolijn remains stylish.
 
Marjolein is a cognate of the French Marjolaine, ultimately from the Latin maiorana.

Marjolein

A botanical Dutch name, Marjolijn is a variation of Marjolein, the Dutch form of herby marjoram. It ultimately derives from the Latin maiorana, likely via the French Marjolaine, however, other sources suggest its usage as a name may have started out as an elaboration of Maria (or Marja).
 
Predominantly given in The Netherlands, this form is far less used than the alternative Marjolein, however, its short form, Jolijn, is more popular over all.

Marjolijn

Strong but sweet with the emphasis on the second syllable, Marlies is a blend of Maria and Lies (a German and Dutch diminutive of Elisabeth) that might appear to those who enjoy Martha and Elise. It was popular in Belgium back in the 90s and has been notably borne by fashion designer Marlies Dekkers, model and influence Marlies Pia Pfeifhofer, and sprinter, Marlies Göhr. 
 
Marlise and Marlys are alternative spellings of the name.

Marlies

Familiar in the Netherlands where it made the Top 500 in 2015, Marlijn is a diminutive for of the international Maria, in turn, connecting it to the Biblical Mary. The name may alternatively spelled as Marleijn, Marlein, and Marleyn, while Merlijn is another, similar form. 



Marlijn

Reminiscent of modern favorite Marlowe, but grounded by its ties to classic Maria and Louise, Marloes is a Dutch compound name that made the Top 500 in the Netherlands back in the 2000s. 

Marloes

Fresher and snappier than Marty and Martin, could Mart be successful as an independent baby name? It certainly has in the Netherlands, where it featured in the Top 300 in a recent year, outranking its longer forms. 




Mart

Used as both the original Latin form of classic Martin, and the official Dutch form.  It was a familiar choice in the Netherlands until 2011, appearing on birth certificates, even if Maarten, Martin, Marten, or Martijn may be used in everyday life. More recent years, however, have seen this form drop out of the charts in favor of short, succinct Mart. 

Martinus

Historically, the name gained significance in the Netherlands through Maurice of Nassau (Maurits van Nassau), a key military leader during the Dutch Revolt against Spain in the 16th-17th centuries. While primarily found in the Netherlands and occasionally in Flemish-speaking parts of Belgium, Maurits remains a name with strong Dutch cultural associations. Though less common than international variants like Maurice, Morris, or Moritz, the name continues to be used in Dutch families, often to honor family traditions or historical connections.

Maurits

The Dutch form of the legendary wizard's name, Merlijn ranked in the Top 500 in The Netherlands between 2008 and 2014. Ultimately from the Welsh Myrddin, the name means "sea fortress". 
 
Pronounced somewhere between mur-LINE and mur-LAYN, notable bearers include composer Merlijn Twaalfhoven and biologist Merlijn van Weerd.

Merlijn

Also used as Dutch form of the magical Merlin, Merlijn is considered a diminutive of the international Maria too, likely via the similar Marlijn. Pronounced mur-LINE (or mur-LAYN), it is more predominantly used for boys as a given name. 

Closely associated in the States with handsome young actor Michiel Huisman, who's best known for playing Daario Naharis in HBO's "Game of Thrones", this is a Dutch form of Michael. Pronounced mih-KHEEL (kh being a guttural sound, like at the end of the Scottish Loch), it is a familiar name in Belgium and The Netherlands.

Michiel

Adapted from the gentle yet energetic Russian diminutive for Mikhail and Michael, Misja is a rare Dutch spelling of Misha, less familiar outside of the Netherlands to Mischa. It coincides with the Polish word for "mission". 

Misja

Monja is a name with two separate origins. From its Russian roots, it's an alternative form of Monya and Manya, both used diminutives of the classic Maria. In this case, it would mean "beloved", "drop of the sea", or "bitterness", due to Maria's uncertain etymology.
 
From its Slovene roots, however, Monja is a diminutive of Monika, likely meaning "advisor" or possibly "single, one", and while in Russia, it is used as a short form, in Slovenia, it may be used as a stand alone choice.
 
The name is also used in Germany, South Africa, and the Netherlands, again as a form of Monika, Mona, or Maria.

Monja

While some English speakers might read this a "moose" or "moos" (as in the sound a cow makes), it is in fact said with the strong O sound of "boat" or "nose". A popular choice in the Netherlands, where it ranked at #35 in 2024, it is a short form of Mozes, the Dutch form of Biblical Moses, and has been notably borne by Olympic boxer, Moos Linneman. 
 
From its German origins, Moos may also be considered a word name, translating literally to "moss". In this case it would still be pronounced closer to MOS than moose, but with the German O sound, which leans slightly towards the sound in Sea or Shawn. However, Moos is more likely to appear as a surname than a given among German speakers.

Moos

As a Sanskrit name, Neel is typically used for boys, however a small percentage of girls are given the name too. Meaning "sapphire blue", alternative forms include Neela, Nila, Neelam, Neelim, Nilima, and Nilar. 
 
As a Dutch name, Neel is typically used as a diminutive for Cornelia and would be pronounced NEHL.

Neel

Pronounced with the strong O of bone or Rose, Oos is a Dutch name with a variety of origins. It's also a fast rising choice in The Netherlands, ranking in the Top 200 for the first time in a recent year. 
 
On one hand, Oos can be a form of "Os", the Anglo-Saxon element found in Oswald, Osric, and Osborn, giving it the meaning "god", however, it could equally be a diminutive of Osias ("salvation") or of Eustace via the Dutch Eus, lending it the meaning "stable". There's also the Dutch word Oost, meaning "east", which gives it a cool, wordy feel.

With the strong, succinct sound of Reign, Rein, Rain, and Rayne, Rijn is a Dutch name, used as both a stand-alone name and as a nickname. While it may look unfamiliar to English eyes, names ending in -ijn are familiar in The Netherlands.
 
Rijn may be considered a short form of the popular Marijn, a Dutch variation of Marinus or Marius, meaning "of the sea" or "of Mars, warrior, male" from Latin. Alternatively, it may be an alternative spelling to the Germanic Rein, meaning "advice, counsel, decision". 
 
Additionally, Rijn has a nature and place connection: it is the Dutch name for the River Rhine.

Rijn

A Dutch diminutive of a variety of names, along with a Sanskrit name, likely related to Ravi and Revi. 

Rivi

Dutch baby names on Nameberry are mostly variations long used in The Netherlands of names rooted in other languages. But there are also some distinctly Dutch names, often diminutives used mostly in Holland such as Bas for Sebastian and Sanne for Susanne. 

Dutch names also draw influence from surrounding countries, including France, Belgium, Germany, and Scandinavia. Baby names popular in The Netherlands have roots in Hebrew, Latin, Irish, Italian, and English, among other national or cultural origins.

Dutch baby names for girls and boys include the following choices, ordered according to their current popularity on Nameberry.

Dutch baby names for boys and girls with meanings and popularity, including names originating in the Netherlands and names popular in Holland (Page 9)