Fascinating and Fun Dutch Names

  1. Alida
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Adelaide
    • Description:

      Alida had a brief flurry of popularity a hundred years ago but is rarely used today. But given the rise of so many names related to Adelaide and Adeline, Alida might be rediscovered.
  2. Amalia
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "work"
    • Description:

      Amalia is a widely cross-cultural name, heard from Italy to Romania, Germany to Scandinavia. The current heir to the Dutch throne is Princess Catharina-Amalia of Orange. It can be pronounced ah-MAH-lee-a or ah-mah-LEE-a.
  3. Andreas
    • Origin:

      Original New Testament Greek variation of Andrew
    • Meaning:

      "strong and manly"
    • Description:

      Andreas is a beautiful name, with the patina of an Old Master painting, one that could make a dashing namesake for an Uncle Andrew.
  4. Anja
    • Origin:

      Russian variation of Anna
    • Meaning:

      "grace"
    • Description:

      Anja is one of the most internatioanl of several versions of Ann/Anna now being imported, also including Anya and Annika.
  5. Anneliese
    • Origin:

      German, Dutch
    • Meaning:

      "grace + oath"
    • Description:

      Anneliese is a German and Dutch combination of Anna and Liese (a form of Elizabeth) with an Old World feel but modern appeal. The Anglicized Annalise spelling in in the US Top 500, but this authentic German version has only ever broken into the US Top 1000 once, back in 2005.
  6. Arno
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "eagle"
    • Description:

      Subtract the last two letters of Arnold, and you're left with a much more modern-sounding name. Arno is also the name of the main river in Florence, upon which sits the famed Ponte Vecchio. The Italian river name means "flowing water".
  7. Ambroos
    • Angelien
      • Beatrix
        • Origin:

          Latin
        • Meaning:

          "she who brings happiness; blessed"
        • Description:

          Beatrix has a solid history of its own apart from Beatrice, with that final x adding a playful, animated note to the name's imposing history and stately vibe.
      • Bram
        • Origin:

          Dutch variation of Abraham
        • Meaning:

          "father of multitudes"
        • Description:

          Bram has an unusual measure of character and charm for a one-syllable name; it started as a hipper-than-Abe diminutive of the biblical Abraham, but is also an independent Irish and Dutch name, made famous by Irish-born Dracula creator Bram (nee Abraham) Stoker. Bram is currently Number 16 in the Netherlands; Bram Howard was a character on The West Wing.
      • Casper
        • Origin:

          Dutch form of Jasper, Persian
        • Meaning:

          "bringer of treasure"
        • Description:

          This ancient name, also spelled Caspar, is finally shedding its ghostly image and moving into the 21st century. Popular in the Netherlands and Scandinavia, where it's sometimes shortened to Cas, Casper could ride the style coattails of cousin Jasper. Casper was one of the Three Magi who brought gifts to the infant Jesus along with Melchior and Balthasar.
      • Charlotte
        • Origin:

          French, feminine diminutive of Charles
        • Meaning:

          "free man"
        • Description:

          Charlotte, the name of the young Princess of Cambridge, is the latest classic name to join Sophia, Emma, Olivia, and Isabella at the top of the popularity list. It is now among the most popular girl names in many English-speaking and European countries.
      • Chloe
        • Origin:

          Greek
        • Meaning:

          "young green shoot"
        • Description:

          Chloe is a pretty springtime name symbolizing new growth. Though slightly off its peak in the Top 10 in 2010, Chloe still ranks in the Top 20 and is solidly a modern classic.
      • Cornelis
        • Emerens
          • Evelien
            • 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.
            • Fleur
              • Origin:

                French
              • Meaning:

                "flower"
              • Description:

                Fleur is a generic, delicate flower name that emigrated into the English-speaking world when John Galsworthy bestowed it on one of the Forsytes in his celebrated saga. More recently, there was Fleur Delacour, a French witch and the Beauxbatons champion for the Triwizard Tournament in Harry Potter.
            • 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.
            • Gilbert
              • Origin:

                German
              • Meaning:

                "shining pledge"
              • Description:

                Considered ultra debonair in the silent-movie era, Gilbert then went through a nerdy phase, a la Gilbert Gottfried. Now though, like Albert and Alfred and Walter and Frank, it could be in for a style revival.