Dutch Names that Start With M
- Marielle
Origin:
Dutch and French diminutive of MaryMeaning:
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"Description:
Mariel Hemingway made us aware of the more abbreviated spelling of this charming name, which dates back to the nineteenth century.
- Mariella
Origin:
Italian and Dutch diminutive of MariaMeaning:
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"Description:
Lilting and nearly unknown here, with the currently popular ella ending, makes a good Marissa alternative.
- Mieke
Origin:
Dutch variation of MarieMeaning:
"bitter"Description:
A Dutch version of Marie - this is a cute name that has potential.
- Mariel
Origin:
Dutch diminutive of MaryMeaning:
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"Description:
Mariel Hemingway popularized this attractive and unusual variation of Mary. It's a fairly recent form, emerging in the twentieth century. Other variations include Marielle and Mariella, which is found in Italy.
- Madelief
Origin:
DutchMeaning:
"daisy"Description:
Madelief is an uncommon name but not unheard of in the Netherlands, where 123 girls were called Madelief in one recent year. With its soft sounds and similarities to all those "Madeleine" type names as well as names ending in "eef/eev" sounds (Aoife, Eve, Genevieve), Madelief has potential in English-speaking countries to be a fresh and pleasant change from Daisy, Margaret and Madeleine.
- Mies
Origin:
Dutch, diminutive of BartholomeusMeaning:
"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.
- Malena
Description:
Malena is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Spanish, it's often used as a diminutive of Magdalena, deriving from Mary Magdalene in the New Testament. In Greek contexts, it relates to meanings of 'light' or 'bright.' The name has gained popularity in Latin American countries and is increasingly recognized internationally. Malena has a melodic quality that contributes to its appeal, with three flowing syllables that give it a gentle rhythm. The actress Malena Alterio and the film 'Malena' starring Monica Bellucci have added to the name's cultural visibility. The name offers a balance of familiarity and distinctiveness, making it accessible while still feeling somewhat uncommon in many Western countries.
- Marika
Origin:
Dutch variation of MaryDescription:
Foreign variations of Mary are definitely the way to go; this one has a nice Dutch-girl feel. It also works as a cultural crossover name, e.g. between European languages and Japanese.
- Matthijs
Origin:
Dutch form of MattiasMeaning:
"gift of Yahweh"
- Merel
Origin:
DutchMeaning:
"blackbird"Description:
Merel is a soundalike of Meryl and may be thought of as a variation of that name, but it's also the Dutch word for blackbird and so you can make it more stylish as one of the flock of cool new bird names, joining Wren, Lark, and Sparrow.
- Marieke
Description:
Marieke is a Dutch and Frisian feminine name, serving as a diminutive form of Maria. Ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Miriam, it shares the same roots as Mary, meaning "sea of bitterness," "rebelliousness," or possibly "wished-for child." Pronounced mah-REE-keh, this melodic name is particularly popular in the Netherlands and Belgium. It gained international attention through Dutch gold medal Olympic swimmer Marieke Guehrer and through references in popular culture, including Jacques Brel's famous song "Marieke." The name has a gentle, flowing quality with its soft ending, combining traditional roots with a distinctive sound. While uncommon outside of Dutch-speaking regions, Marieke offers an appealing alternative to more familiar Mary derivatives that still feels accessible to English speakers.
- Marien
Description:
Marien is a feminine name with multiple cultural roots. It can be considered a variant of Marion or Marian, which themselves derive from Mary (Hebrew origin meaning 'bitter' or 'beloved'). In some European contexts, particularly French, it may be viewed as a combination of Marie and the -en suffix. Marien has a delicate, melodic quality and conveys a sense of traditional femininity with a slightly uncommon flair. While not widely used in English-speaking countries, it enjoys some popularity in French and Dutch-speaking regions. The name carries a classic elegance while remaining distinctive enough to stand out.
- Maes
Origin:
Dutch surname meaning "son of Maas (Thomas)"Meaning:
"son of Maas (Thomas)"Description:
Maes is the third most common surname in Belgium, but a few Nameberries have chosen to use this as a first name for their little boys. We think it is a great name and put it to you for consideration!
- Mauridsje
Description:
Mauridsje is an extremely rare masculine name that appears to be a unique variant or creative spelling derived from Maurice or Maurits. The name has Germanic and Latin origins, ultimately coming from 'Mauritius,' meaning 'dark-skinned' or 'Moorish.' The distinctive '-dsje' ending suggests possible Dutch or Frisian influence, giving it a specialized regional character. Due to its rarity, Mauridsje has little documented usage history, making it one of the more unusual name variations. The name combines traditional roots with a highly distinctive spelling that would likely require pronunciation clarification in most regions. For parents seeking an extremely uncommon name with connections to more traditional naming patterns, Mauridsje offers near-guaranteed uniqueness while maintaining distant links to familiar naming traditions.
- Marysa
Origin:
Combination of Mary and LouisaMeaning:
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + famous battle"Description:
Variant of Marisa
- Maurids
Description:
Maurids is a masculine name that appears to be a variant of Maurice, ultimately derived from the Latin name Mauritius, meaning 'dark-skinned' or 'Moorish.' This uncommon spelling variation might have Germanic or Scandinavian influences, though it's exceedingly rare in contemporary usage. The traditional Maurice has historical significance through Saint Maurice, a 3rd-century Roman soldier and Christian martyr. Maurids maintains the distinguished quality of its more common counterpart while offering a unique orthographic twist. The name carries connotations of dignity and strength associated with its classical origins. Its rarity makes it an unconventional choice for parents seeking distinctive names with historical roots and traditional masculine qualities.
- Marijse
Origin:
Dutch form of MarieMeaning:
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"Description:
Derived from Marie, the meaning of which is uncertain. Theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea"); "bitter" (from Hebrew marah "bitterness"); and "beloved" (from the Egyptian root mr).
- Michielle
Description:
Michielle represents a creative spelling variation of Michelle, which is the feminine form of Michel, ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Michael meaning 'who is like God?' This distinctive spelling emerged as parents sought to personalize a classic name while maintaining its familiar pronunciation. The additional 'i' adds a unique visual element. Michielle remains relatively uncommon compared to the standard Michelle, which peaked in popularity during the 1960s and 1970s. The name carries the same sophisticated French heritage as Michelle but with an individualized touch. Michielle offers the friendly nicknames Michi, Chelle, or Elle. The name projects both familiarity and uniqueness, appealing to parents who appreciate traditional names with distinctive presentations.