Dutch Names for Boys
By Nameberry
Updated Tue Jun 09 2020
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Dutch baby names on Nameberry are mostly variations long used in The Netherlands of names rooted in other languages. Many of the most popular Dutch names for boys are short forms of other names, including Bas for Sebastian, Bram for Abraham, and Mees for Bartholomeus. Contemporary Dutch parents prefer shot names, especially for boys, with such brisk one-syllable choices as Teun, Mats, and Sem topping the list.
Here is our full complement of Dutch names for boys. The top names below rank among the current US Top 1000 Baby Names and are ordered by popularity. Unique names rank below the Top 1000 and are listed alphabetically.
Here is our full complement of Dutch names for boys. The top names below rank among the current US Top 1000 Baby Names and are ordered by popularity. Unique names rank below the Top 1000 and are listed alphabetically.
- Rhett
Origin:
English from DutchMeaning:
"advice"Description:
Rhett has been more tied to Gone with the Wind than even Scarlett, but now we're hearing rumblings of its finding new and independent favor among parents, perhaps emboldened by the growing popularity of Scarlett.
- Kyler
Origin:
DutchMeaning:
"victory of the people"Description:
Kyler was once a creative solution for 90s parents who enjoyed the sounds of Kyle and Tyler but didn't want to use anything so popular. Now a well-established name on the US charts, it is given to more than 1000 babies every year.
- Cas
Origin:
Short form of Casper, PersianMeaning:
"Imperial"Description:
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.
- Gerrit
Origin:
Low German variation of GerhardDescription:
An undiscovered cousin of Garrett and Gerard. Gerrit has some merit, especially for its arty credentials as the name of several Old Master painters.
- Skylar
Origin:
Variation of Schuyler, Dutch "scholar"Meaning:
"scholar"Description:
This Americanized spelling of the Dutch name is now used nearly exclusively for girls in the US.
- 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.
- Coen
Origin:
Dutch diminutive of Coenraad, variation of Cohen, or Australian place name, "bold advisor; priest; thunder"Meaning:
"bold advisor; priest; thunder"Description:
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 pronounced as KOON, with a short oo sound.
Alternatively, it may be used in the US as a variation of Cohen, which stems from the Jewish surname designating a priest, and thus pronounced as CO-uhn. Additionally, it may also relate to the Irish surname McCown ("of Connacht") or to the Australian place name, Coen, meaning "thunder" from its Indigenous roots.
- Jan
Origin:
Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Czech, Polish, Slovene, German, and Catalan variation of John, HebrewMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
A standard form of John in Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Czech, Polish, Slovene, German, and Catalan. Properly pronounced yahn (in most of these languages), most Americans will still equate it with the Brady Bunchesque girls' name Jan, which is now officially extinct.
- Roosevelt
Origin:
DutchMeaning:
"rose field"Description:
Presidential surname adopted as a first by numbers of midcentury African-American parents.
- Edmond
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"wealthy protector"Description:
The sophisticated Edmond and its nearly-identical twin Edmund are coming out of mothballs now that Edward, inspired by Twilight, is once again a hot name. Parents looking for an alternative might gravitate to Edmond, a handsome classic that has both class and style.
- Van
Origin:
DutchMeaning:
"of"Description:
Whether it's used as a short form or on its own, this jazzy midcentury name is poised for a comeback along with brothers Ray and Walt.
- Justus
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"just"Description:
More unusual than Justin, less word-like than Justice, this New Testament name could make an intriguing choice. After being off the popularity lists from 1904 to 1993, it is now being used in steady numbers.
- Arne
Origin:
Dutch and Scandinavian variation of ArnoldMeaning:
"ruler; strong as an eagle"Description:
Works better as a full name than Arnie does as a nickname.
- Schuyler
Origin:
DutchMeaning:
"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.
- Holland
Origin:
Dutch place-nameMeaning:
"wooded land"Description:
Holland, like most place names, is intrinsically gender neutral, but in practice today it's mostly female. There's about one boy Holland born in the US these days for every five girl Hollands. That's a reversal of the last century, when Holland peaked as a boys' name in 1893, falling off the Top 1000 completely in 1913.
- Dirk
Origin:
Flemish and Dutch, contracted form of DerekDescription:
A perennial classic in the Netherlands, short-and-sweet Dirk is starting to feel like a fresher alternative to cousin Derek.
- Joshuah
Description:
Joshuah is a masculine name that represents a spelling variation of Joshua, which derives from the Hebrew name Yehoshua, meaning "Yahweh is salvation" or "God is deliverance." This biblical name refers to the successor of Moses who led the Israelites into the Promised Land. While Joshua has consistently remained popular in English-speaking countries, the Joshuah spelling variant adds a distinctive touch while maintaining the traditional pronunciation. This alternative spelling began appearing more frequently in the late 20th century as parents sought unique variations of classic names. Though less common than the standard spelling, Joshuah offers the familiarity of a timeless name with a slight twist, giving it an individualistic quality while honoring the name's rich historical and spiritual heritage.
- Kerstan
Description:
Kerstan is a masculine name with Germanic origins, likely a variant of the more common Kersten, Karsten, or Carsten. These names ultimately derive from the Latin 'Christianus,' meaning 'follower of Christ.' This particular spelling variation gives the name a distinctive look while maintaining its strong sound. Kerstan has never been widely popular but appears occasionally in Germanic countries and among families with German heritage. The name has a strong, sturdy quality with its consonant clusters and decisive ending. Some might also connect it to the German word 'stark' (strong) due to its phonetic similarities, though this is not its etymological origin. Kerstan offers parents seeking a masculine name with European heritage an uncommon option with historical depth.
- Cristiaan
Description:
Cristiaan is a masculine name representing a Dutch and Afrikaans variation of Christian, derived from Latin 'Christianus' meaning 'follower of Christ.' This spelling maintains the name's religious connotations while giving it a distinctive Dutch character through the double 'a' construction typical in Dutch naming patterns. Most popular in the Netherlands, Belgium, and South Africa, Cristiaan remains uncommon in English-speaking countries. The name carries the same religious significance as its more common variants while offering a connection to Dutch heritage. Pronunciation typically emphasizes the final syllable more than in the English Christian. For parents seeking a name with religious meaning combined with Dutch cultural connections, Cristiaan provides a recognizable yet distinctive option.
- Bastiaan
Origin:
Dutch short form of Sebastian, Latin from GreekMeaning:
"man of Sebastia"Description:
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.
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