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Dutch Names for Boys

  1. Sem

    • Origin:

      Dutch form of Shem, Russian short form of Semyon, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "name; he has heard"

    • Description:

      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 in the US, it is currently in the Dutch Top 10 and a familiar option in Belgium and Italy. It might also be used as a short form of Semion or Semyon in Russia.
  2. Arne

    • Origin:

      Dutch and Scandinavian variation of Arnold

    • Meaning:

      "ruler; strong as an eagle"

    • Description:

      Works better as a full name than Arnie does as a nickname.
  3. Floris

    • Origin:

      Dutch variation of Florence, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "flowering"

    • Description:

      This Dutch favorite was the name of five Counts of Holland and many notable Renaissance artists, including still life painter Floris van Dijck. It is a variation of Florence, which was historically a unisex name.
  4. Thijs

    • Origin:

      Dutch short form of Matthijs

    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"

    • Description:

      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.
  5. Roosevelt

    • Origin:

      Dutch

    • Meaning:

      "rose field"

    • Description:

      Presidential surname adopted as a first by numbers of midcentury African-American parents.
  6. Heinrich

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "estate ruler"

    • Description:

      Traditional German names of this ilk have had a difficult time emigrating into the American name pool, mostly because anti-German sentiment during the two world wars of the 20th century drove German names out of fashion. One of Heinrich's nicknames, Harro, might do better.
  7. Jannik

    • Origin:

      Dutch and German variation of John

    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"

    • Description:

      Popular form of John in Germany. Just remember to pronounce it YAHN-nik, which most English-speakers won't. Jannick is another spelling.
  8. Mies

    • Origin:

      Dutch, diminutive of Bartholomeus

    • Meaning:

      "son of the earth"

    • Description:

      Apt choice for an architect's child, honoring German-born Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, a central figure in modern design, and universally referred to as Mies.
  9. Schuyler

    • Origin:

      Dutch

    • Meaning:

      "scholar"

    • Description:

      This worthy name, imported by the early Dutch colonists, has been all but overpowered by the phonetic spellings -- Skyler for boys and Skylar for girls. With the surnames-as-first-names trend, however, and the popularity of the Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical Hamilton, which features the Schuyler sisters, perhaps Schuyler might receive some more interest in the coming years.
  10. Dirk

    • Origin:

      Flemish and Dutch, contracted form of Derek

    • Description:

      A perennial classic in the Netherlands, short-and-sweet Dirk is starting to feel like a fresher alternative to cousin Derek.
  11. Gijs

    • Origin:

      Dutch short form of Gilbert

    • Description:

      Popular Dutch name Gijs, which rhymes with nice, originated as a short form of Gijsbert, which itself is a Dutch and Germanic form of Gilbert. Though in the Top 100 in The Netherlands, we don't see this emigrating beyond Amsterdam and environs.
  12. Matthijs

    • Origin:

      Dutch form of Mattias

    • Meaning:

      "gift of Yahweh"
  13. Hendrik

    • Origin:

      Dutch and Scandinavian variation of Henry

    • Description:

      A bit stiff and formal for American use.
  14. Cornelis

    • Description:

      Cornelis is the Dutch form of the Latin name Cornelius, which originated from the Roman clan name Cornelii. This masculine name carries a sense of heritage and strength, derived from the Latin word 'cornu' meaning 'horn'. Throughout Dutch history, Cornelis has been a consistently popular name, with many notable bearers including the Dutch Golden Age painter Cornelis Troost and explorer Cornelis de Houtman. While common in the Netherlands and other Dutch-speaking regions, the name is less frequently used internationally. Many Cornelis bearers use the nicknames Cor, Cees, or Kees. The name combines traditional dignity with historical significance.

  15. Bruin

    • Origin:

      English or Dutch

    • Meaning:

      "bear or brown"

    • Description:

      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 definitely got some cool.
  16. Stijn

    • Origin:

      Dutch short form

    • Description:

      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 that's obscure elsewhere, for reasons undoubtedly connected to its spelling and pronunciation issues.
  17. Pepijn

    • Origin:

      Dutch form of Pepin

    • Meaning:

      "awe-inspiring"

    • Description:

      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.
  18. Joost

    • Origin:

      Dutch

    • Meaning:

      "just"

    • Description:

      Like many Dutch names, this one, pronounced 'yoost' has an upbeat sound. Also spelled Joos, as in sixteenth century Netherlandish master Joos van Cleve, one of the first to introduce background landscapes in his paintings.
  19. Roel

    • Description:

      Roel is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. Primarily used in Dutch communities, it developed as a shortened form of Roland, meaning 'famous land' or 'famous throughout the land.' In Spanish-speaking regions, Roel can be a variant of Raúl, the Spanish form of Ralph, which derives from Germanic elements meaning 'counsel' and 'wolf.' The name is appreciated for its brevity and simplicity, making it easy to pronounce across different languages. In the Netherlands, Roel has maintained moderate popularity as a straightforward, traditional Dutch name. The name has a strong, concise sound that conveys dependability and warmth. While not extremely common globally, Roel appeals to parents seeking a short, international name that works well across cultural boundaries while maintaining a classic masculine quality.

  20. Kees

    • Origin:

      Dutch diminutive of Cornelius or Cornelis

    • Meaning:

      "horn"

    • Description:

      This diminutive of Cornelius (and Cornelis) has plenty of coolness and charm, along with a creative connection to Dutch artist Kees van Dongen. Popular in The Netherlands, it sounds similar to the English Case.