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Belgian Names – What's Hot in Brussels

  1. Lina

    • Origin:

      Arabic; Latin diminutive

    • Meaning:

      "tender"

    • Description:

      This pretty, succinct Arabic name is also commonly used as a nickname for names like Carolina.
  2. Mitchell

    • Origin:

      English variation of Michael

    • Meaning:

      "who is like God"

    • Description:

      Mitchell has had something of a roller coaster ride, showing some panache in the forties and fifties, when it was seen as a sharper alternative to Michael with its cool Mitch nickname, slipping a bit, then resurfacing in the 90s when it reached as high as Number 71. Mitchell Pritchett is one of the leading characters on the TV sitcom Modern Family.
  3. Maelle

    • Origin:

      French or Breton

    • Meaning:

      "chief or prince"

    • Description:

      This feminine form of Mael has the distinctive "aelle" ending found in Brittany. In the French spelling Maëlle, it is a Top 100 girls' name in France.
  4. Sandra

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Alessandra, Italian from Greek

    • Meaning:

      "defending men"

    • Description:

      2012's Hurricane Sandy blew away whatever style currency Sandra retained from its 1960s Sandra Dee heyday. While in recent years it's been associated with Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, as a baby name Sandra is sinking beneath the waves.
  5. Elisa

    • Origin:

      Spanish and Italian, diminutive of Elizabeth

    • Description:

      Elisa is one of the most appealing of this contingent of Elizabeth-related names. In the US, Eliza is much more stylish these days, but Elisa is very popular internationally — especially in Europe and Latin America.
  6. Julien

    • Origin:

      French from Latin

    • Meaning:

      "youthful, downy-bearded, or sky father"

    • Description:

      Julien is the handsome French form of Julian, which derives from Julius, a Roman family name. Its origin is shrouded in history, but possible roots include Latin iuvenis, meaning "youthfu"; Greek ioulos, meaning "downy-bearded"; or Jovis, a form of Jupiter, which means "sky father".
  7. Sara

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "princess"

    • Description:

      Sara, the streamlined form of Sarah, makes this ancient name feel more modern, but perhaps a bit lighter weight.
  8. Kelly

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "war"

    • Description:

      Once the quintessential bouncy teenager name, Kelly helped launch the trend of unisex Irish names . But it now takes a backseat to more substantial surname names like Kennedy.
  9. Justine

    • Origin:

      French feminine variation of Justin

    • Meaning:

      "fair, righteous"

    • Description:

      Justine is a French name that's never reached the popularity we think it deserves. Like its far-more-common brother Justin, Justine is sleek, and sophisticated, but still user-friendly.
  10. Tom

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Thomas

    • Meaning:

      "twin"

    • Description:

      Just like Sam and Ben, Tom could be revived as a simple, well liked name on its own. Tom, just Tom, is one of the Top 100 Boy Names in France
  11. Alexis

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "defender"

    • Description:

      This name leapt into the female column via vixen Alexis Carrington on 'Dynasty" in the 1980s. It's more popular for girls, but it's still a widely used boys' names and is one of the most popular unisex names in the US today.
  12. Giles

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "young goat"

    • Description:

      One of those names that most Americans find just too too tea-sippingly British to consider; its meaning has led to occasional use for Capricorn boys.
  13. Rayan

    • Origin:

      Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "land that is lush and rich in water"

    • Description:

      Popular Arabic name for boys and sometimes girls too, that's also a term of authority in India.
  14. Elisabeth

    • Origin:

      German, Dutch, Danish, English, variation of Elizabeth, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"

    • Description:

      This spelling of the classic name is found in France, Germany, Greece, and other cultures, and is worn by such notables as Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, Elisabeth Shue, Elisabeth Moss, and Elisabeth Hasselbeck. The name's pronunciation is usually just like the Z version, but some parents choose this because they want to discourage the Liz or Lizzie short forms and so pronounce it as if it has Lisa in the middle.
  15. Nicolas

    • Origin:

      French and Spanish variation of Nicholas, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "people of victory"

    • Description:

      Nicolas is the French and Spanish form, or streamlined spelling, of Nicholas, popularized by actor Nicolas Cage. Nicolas has been consistently on the charts since Social Security began releasing data, but the name did not truly take off until around the 70s. Today Nicolas is popular among Spanish and Portuguese-speaking parents, ranking in the Top 30 in Spain, Brazil, and Chile.
  16. Théo

    • Description:

      Théo is a French masculine name derived from the Greek name Theodoros, meaning "gift of God." This short, stylish form has gained significant popularity across Europe, particularly in France, Belgium, and Switzerland. The accent mark gives the name a distinctive continental flair while maintaining its accessibility. Théo offers a modern, sophisticated alternative to the English Theodore or Ted. The name has surged in popularity since the early 2000s, reflecting a trend toward shorter, international names with historical roots. Notable bearers include French footballers and artists. Théo conveys strength and warmth simultaneously, making it appealing to parents seeking a name that works well internationally.

  17. Mathilde

    • Origin:

      French; Norwegian; Danish; Dutch; German, variation of Matilda

    • Meaning:

      "battle-mighty"

    • Description:

      Mathilde is even more popular in France than Matilda, a hipster favorite thanks to Michelle Williams and Heath Ledger, is here. And the French pronunciation, while confusing to English speakers, makes it softer and prettier than the version we're more familiar with. It's also very popular in Denmark and Noway, pronounced closer to the English variant.
  18. Cindy

    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Cynthia, Greek, or Lucinda, Spanish and Portuguese

    • Meaning:

      "moon goddess, woman from Kynthos; "

    • Description:

      Cindy as a name in its own right made it into the Top 20 in 1957 and remained a Top 200 girls' name until the end of the 20th century. Although it's fallen precipitously since then and left the Top 1000 completely in 2015, Cindy remains a name commonly heard in the US. Today, though, it would more likely be attached to moms or grandmas than to babies.
  19. Noor

    • Origin:

      Arabic; Dutch variation of Eleonora

    • Meaning:

      "light"

    • Description:

      An interesting name associated with the elegant American-born Queen Noor of Jordan. Noor is very popular among modern Muslim parents around the world and is beginning to cross over, perhaps because of its simplicity and its resemblance to the stylish Western Nora. It appeared in the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2015.
  20. Margaux

    • Origin:

      French spelling variation of Margo

    • Description:

      Yes, it's pronounced with a long o sound at the end, just like Margo and Margot. This spelling was popularized by supermodel, actress, and tragic Hemingway granddaughter Margaux, whose name spelling came courtesy of a bottle of French wine. (The original spelling of her name was Margot; she changed it when she heard her parents were drinking a bottle of Chateau Margaux the night she was conceived.) Margo itself is a diminutive of Margaret, which means "pearl" or, in its French version, "daisy." Margaret or Marguerite would be more stylish variations now.

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