By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 10 pages
of 10
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.
Flower name, from Greek
"asphodel"
Yes, though it seems so extreme, girls were actually sometimes given this name a century ago; now it is so uncommon it would make a strong springtime statement. Biggest obstacle: the nickname Daffy.…
Dutch variation of Dale
Dael is cooler than Dale -- but why? Vowel switch gives an old nature name a hipper look.
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…
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…
Dutch and French variation of Anna
"grace"
Anouk, made famous by French actress Anouk Aimée, is a singular name with a lovely sound and a Bohemian feel. Anouk Aimée was born as Francoise, but adopted the first name of the character she played…
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.
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.
Short form of Ferdinand
"bold voyager"
Dinand is popular in the Netherlands thanks to a local singing sensation. Dinand is one of many Dutch short forms that come from the middle or end of a name -- think Bas for Sebastian or Hans from…
Dutch, diminutive of Rina
Rineke is a diminutive of a diminutive, which might have remained unknown outside The Netherlands were it not for the wonderful photographer Rineke Dijkstra.
Dutch variation of Sarah, Hebrew
"princess"
Saar is a very popular girls' name in The Netherlands, where it's an abbreviated form of Sarah. The Dutch feminine Saar, pronounced sahr, is distinct from the Hebrew place-name Saar used for boys in…
Dutch short form of Gilbert or Gijsbert, Germanic
"bright pledge"
Currently in the Top 30 in the Netherland, Gijs is s short form of Gijsbert, itself the Dutch form of the Germanic Gisbert and Gilbert. Said to rhyme with nice , the G is pronounced like the end…
Dutch diminutive of Anthony
Teun, pronounced like something between ton and tune in English, is one of the most popular boys' names in The Netherlands, consistent with that country's preference for short, simple names. The…
Dutch form of Tycho, Greek, Dutch, Old Norse
"hitting the mark; thunder"
This Dutch form of the ancient Greek saints' name Tycho is in the Top 100 in The Netherlands. While largely unknown in the English-speaking world, it's got a cool sound and ancient roots, which…
Dutch form of Pepin
"awe-inspiring"
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…
Dutch and Frisian short form of Gerard
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.
Dutch diminutive of Angelique et al
The popular Dutch name Lieke is one of those diminutives, like Lena, that can be short for a range of names ending in its sound -- which, by the way, is the two-syllable LEE-ka. Despite its…
Dutch
Dutch, Limburgish and Afrikaans diminutive of Anne.
Feminine form of Felinus, Latin
"cat-like"
This Top 100 girls' name in The Netherlands is unlikely to translate to the U.S., where it would undoubtedly pronounced fee-line and mistaken for the adjective that means cat-like. While the name…
Variation of Fenna, Dutch and Frisian
"peace"
Fenne and its phonetic version Fenna are vintage names enjoying a resurgence in The Netherlands, where both make the girls' Top 100.
