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Dutch Girl Names

lavenderdaisy
By lavenderdaisy
Updated Tue May 23 2023
  1. Saskia

    • Origin:

      Dutch

    • Meaning:

      "Saxon"

    • Description:

      From the first time we saw the name Saskia attached to a portrait of Rembrandt's wife (her full name was Saakje van Uylenburgh, but she was always called Saskia), we have found it utterly charming and wondered why it hasn't attracted more fans In this country--she's appreciated by the Brits, who have moved her to Number 392. Saskia is one of those names that's been used in Europe since the Middle Ages, but has never crossed the ocean.
  2. Fenna

    • Origin:

      Dutch and Frisian

    • Meaning:

      "peace"

    • Description:

      The vintage Fenna, an old lady name making a comeback in the Netherlands, originates in Friesland in the northern part of the country, where the Fries language is spoken. Rhyming with Jenna, it's both rare and familiar and could conceivably enjoy wider usage in the English-speaking world as well. Fenna is a Top 50 girls' name in the Netherlands.
  3. Elke

    • Origin:

      Dutch, German, and Frisian, diminutive of Adelheid

    • Meaning:

      "noble"

    • Description:

      Though she has long stood on her own, Elke has many longer cross-cultural connections, to the Dutch/German/Scandinavian Adelheid and Alice and the English Adelaide, as a feminine version of Elkanah and as a Yiddish form of Eleanor.
  4. Sanne

    • Origin:

      Dutch, diminutive of Susanne

    • Meaning:

      "lily"

    • Description:

      Sanne is hugely popular in the Netherlands, but almost unknown here; which makes it an interesting prospect for the parent in search of an unusual name. Pronounced sah-na, Sanne is in keeping with the Dutch taste for nicknames plucked from the middle or end of a name vs. the beginning, such as Bas for Sebastien or Bram for Abram.
  5. 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.
  6. Mariel

    • Origin:

      Dutch diminutive of Mary

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  7. Rina

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Caterina or other names ending in -rina

    • Description:

      A pan-European short form often used as a name in its own right, Rina is sister to names like Mina and Lena, popular at the end of the 19th century and showing their pretty if slight faces again. In the Netherlands, Rina itself is sometimes shortened to Rineke, as Tina may become Tineke.
  8. Eline

    • Description:

      Eline is a delicate feminine name with multiple potential origins. In the Scandinavian tradition, it functions as a variant of Helena or Ellen, while in French contexts, it may be considered a form of Aline. The name carries a gentle, refined quality with its soft sounds and simple structure. Eline is more common in Northern European countries, particularly the Netherlands, Belgium, and Norway, where it maintains steady popularity. The name's international versatility makes it appealing for multicultural families, as it translates well across language boundaries while remaining distinctive. With its elegant simplicity, Eline balances uniqueness with accessibility.
  9. Brandy

    • Origin:

      Dutch

    • Meaning:

      "burnt wine"

    • Description:

      The alcohol-laced member of the Randy-Candy-Mandy sorority of 1970s to 80s nickname names; now pretty much on the wagon.
  10. Sidonia

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "of Sidon"

    • Description:

      Sidonia is a feminine form of the Ancient Roman habitational name Sidonius. Sidonie is the French form, which sounds similar to the recently trendy Sydney but comes from a different root. An original way to honor grandpa Sid.
  11. Skyla

    • Origin:

      Variation of Dutch Schuyler

    • Meaning:

      "scholar"

    • Description:

      Skyla is the most feminine form of the Skylar / Sklyer trend - little Skyla will never be mistaken on paper for a boy.
  12. Janna

    • Origin:

      Dutch contraction of Johanna

    • Description:

      Could run into pronunciation confusion.
  13. Lieke

    • Origin:

      Dutch diminutive of Angelique et al

    • Description:

      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 versatility, we don't see Lieke's popularity translating to English-speaking cultures.
  14. Mieke

    • Origin:

      Dutch variation of Marie

    • Meaning:

      "bitter"

    • Description:

      A Dutch version of Marie - this is a cute name that has potential.
  15. 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.

  16. Merel

    • Origin:

      Dutch

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  17. Anneke

    • Origin:

      Dutch

    • Meaning:

      "grace"

    • Description:

      Dutch, Limburgish and Afrikaans diminutive of Anne.
  18. Eleonara

    • Origin:

      Italian, German, Dutch, and Polish version of Eleanor

    • Meaning:

      "bright, shining one"

    • Description:

      The usual form of Eleonara is Eleanora, with each syllable pronounced, but transposing, adding, or subtracting a vowel or syllable here or there works fine and adds to the international, feminine spin on a solid name.
  19. Annemieke

    • Origin:

      Dutch variation of Anne-Marie

    • Description:

      A variation on Anne-Marie, this sweet name deserves the attention of some Anglophone parents. Note that "Mieke" rhymes with "Peak-a" not "Pike-a".
  20. Karsten

    • Description:

      Karsten as a feminine name is a very unusual usage of what is traditionally a masculine name of Germanic and Scandinavian origin. Derived from the name Carsten, itself a variant of Christian, Karsten means 'follower of Christ' or 'anointed one.' While predominantly used for boys in Northern European countries, particularly Germany, Denmark, and Norway, its occasional feminine usage represents the modern trend of gender-crossing names. The feminine application is extremely rare and typically found in North America where Germanic names have sometimes been adapted beyond their traditional gender associations. Despite its strong consonants, the name has a certain melodic quality that can work for girls, though parents choosing it for a daughter are making a distinctly unconventional choice.