85 Most Popular Dutch Baby Names For Boys And Girls

If the Netherlands has inspired you with its cheeses and flowers and you wish to commemorate it with something unique, perhaps you could use Dutch baby names. Their famous painters and nature inspire most Dutch names. Dutch names include common European names and exotic names inspired by the immigrants of other nations. These names depict the nobility, eminence, and strength the Dutch are known for. Read on to know the dutch names with meanings and find the one you deem perfect for your baby.

Dutch Names For Boys

1. Aart

Aart is one of the most artistic Dutch baby names. It is a short form of Arnold. Meaning 'strong and powerful' both Aart and Arnold are common in English and German speaking worlds.

2. Aya

Simple names have a distinct appeal, just like Aya. The meaning of this cute name is 'bird'.

3. Adrianus

Adrianus is the Dutch variant of the name Adrian. It comes from the Latin name Hadrianus, which means 'from Hadria'. This name was quite famous in early Christianity. Six Popes were named Adrian, including the renowned Adrian, the 6th.

4. Abbe

This moniker originates in the Germanic language and means 'nobleman'. This masculine name is used widely in the Netherlands and rarely in the US. So American parents are getting a unique name here.

5. Dirk

It's high time people stop associating this name with Dirk Diggler from the "Boogie Nights". Many of you may not be aware, but Dirk has several royal connections. The name was given to several Counts of the Netherlands. The meaning of Dirk is 'ruler of the people'.

6. Aldert

Aldert is the Dutch form of the name Adelhard, which is the German form of the English name Abelard. The meaning of Aldert is 'noble or resolute'.

7. Ambroos

Ambroos is the Dutch variation of the popular name Ambrose. The original moniker comes from the word 'ambrosios', which means 'immortal'. Ambroos would make a fantastic name for any boy.

8. Sander

Sander is the Dutch diminutive of the name Alexander. It's also a spelling variation of 'Zander' and 'Xander'. The meaning of Sander is 'defender of mankind'.

9. Pim

Pim is a mighty baby name and means 'resolute protection'. It is one of the top 100 baby names in the Netherlands, but not so well known outside the country. Pim would sound great with any surname. You do not even need to shorten it for a nickname.

10. Cas

Like most of the one-syllable Dutch names, Cas is super powerful. Even though Cas is the short form of Casper, you can use this name on its own too. The meaning of Cas is 'imperial'.

11. Isaak

Isaak is the Dutch variation of the popular Isaac. The Isaak with the 'k' is catching on well with the parents. In the Old Testament, Isaac is the beloved son of Abraham and Sarah, for whom they waited 100 years.

12. Berend

Berend is a variation of the cool male name Bernard and means 'brave'. It brings to mind a boy who would grow up to be fearless and daring.

13. Lars

Lars is the Dutch male version of the female name Lara. The meaning of Lars is 'crowned with laurel'.

14. Elmo

Here's another popular Dutch name for you. It is inspired by the common name of Saint Erasmus, the patron saint of the sailors. It's believed that Saint Elmo's fire is the glow that accompanies the discharge of electricity from objects during the thunderstorms.

15. Danique

There couldn't be a perfect alternative to Danielle than Danique. It means 'morning star'. The name has lost a bit of its luster, probably because of the hard consonants in it.

16. Markus

Markus is the Dutch variation for Mars, the name of the Roman god of fertility. Marquee would make a fun nickname for Markus.

17. Van

Van is one of the most famous Dutch baby names for boys. Van is equivalent to 'de' in the French names. It was also used as a surname prefix by the early American immigrants.

18. Joost

Joost is a unique and original Dutch baby boy name. It is pronounced 'Yoost'. We think it's absolutely adorable for a young boy.

19. Coen

Coen is the shorter version of the name Coenrad, the Dutch for Conrad. The meaning of Coen is 'bold advisor'. Some people spell it Koen. Do not confuse it with Cohen.

20. Espen

Espen is one of the coolest Dutch names. The meaning is 'Bear of God'.

21. Diederik

Diederik is the Dutch for Theodoric. The name is perfect for a confident boy who would feel comfortable in his own skin. The meaning of Diederik is 'ruler of people'.

22. Andries

Andries is the Dutch version of Andrew, which in turn is the English form of the Greek name Andreas. The meaning of Andries is 'man'.

Fun Fact: Did you know there are over 250 spellings of Andrew in different languages, and all have the same meaning?

23. Floris

Floris is the Dutch male version of Florence. It would sound great on a little boy with huge plans as Floris means 'prosperous'.

24. Hiddie

Hiddie is one of our favorite Frisian names. It means 'battle'.

25. Jacobus

Jacobus is the Dutch variation of the evergreen name Jacob. The meaning of Jacobus is 'protector'.

26. Jelle

Jelle is the shorter, Dutch variation of the name William. We think Jelle would work better as a nickname than a first name. The Dutch meaning of Jelle is 'sacrifice'.

27. Kees

Kees is the Dutch version of Cornelius and means 'calm'. This moniker has a certain charm to it as it has a creative connection with the Dutch artist Kees van Dongen.

28. Bas

Bas is the diminutive of Sebastian or Bastiaan. This name is fashionable in its own right in the Netherlands. In fact, it's one of the top 10 names there. We think it would work best as a straightforward, yet charming nickname. Baz is another spelling variation of this name.

29. Abel

Abel, the Hebrew name of Adam and Eve's younger son, is one of the most familiar names in the Netherlands. The name has several positive connotations: capable, willing, competent and ready. It's one of those Biblical names that are not plagued with excess use.

30. Meese

This diminutive of Bartholomeus reflects the clipped and short style that is in vogue in the Netherlands. Bartholomeus is one of the apostle names that have been out of favor for a long time.

31. Sem

A variation of Shem, Sem is much more attractive and usable than its original form. Shem was the name of one of the sons of Noah. It means 'name'.

32. Stijn

As you can surmise from its origin, Stijn is the Dutch short form for Constantin and Augustin. This name is quite popular in the Netherlands, but is obscure elsewhere, probably because of spelling and pronunciation issues.

33. Thijs

Thijs is the Dutch short form of Matthew, even though it sounds nothing like it. Matt Lauer's son is named Thijs.

34. Sven

Sven is an attractive Dutch name with a mix of swag and strength. The name comes from the ancient Swedish tribe, the Saviars, who gave the name to Svealand, which later turned into Sweden.

35. Timo

This name is popular in its own right in Amsterdam. This name will make an intriguing short form of the classic name Timothy. The meaning of Timo is 'honoring God'.

36. Arnoud

Arnoud is the Dutch variant of the name Arnold. This name is popular not just among the Dutch, but also with English and German speaking communities.

37. Ruben

This spelling variation of Rueben is more popular than the original. It means 'behold, a son'.

38. Gerrit

Gerrit, a variation of Gerhard, is borne by several Old Master Painters. A slightly hard name, but definitely usable.

39. Fabian

The Latin name Fabian, meaning 'bean grower', is very famous in the Netherlands. It has a strong literary connection. Fabian was the name of Olivia's servant in the Twelfth Night. It also made an appearance in Harry Potter.

40. Bram

Bram is the Dutch variation of Abraham and means 'father of multitudes'. We believe that Bram has a certain charm and character for a one-syllable name. It may have started as a diminutive of Abraham, but is now an independent Dutch baby boy name.

41. Boudewijin

Boudewijin is the Dutch variation of the name Baldwin. This old name comes from the Old English name Bealdwine. Boudewijin means 'brave'.

42. Christoffel

Christoffel is the Dutch for Christopher. It is an Old Greek name and means 'bearing Christ' or 'follow the leader'.

43. Bartel

The Dutch are experts where it comes to creating diminutives. Bartel is the short form of the Biblical name Bartholomew, which is derived from an Aramaic word and means 'having many furrows'.

Dutch Names For Girls

44. Aleid

Aleid is the Dutch short form of Adelaide. It originates from a Germanic language and means 'graceful and noble'. This name was used for saints and royalty throughout history. If you have a daughter named Adelaide, use Aleid as a nickname.

45. Bente

Can you guess this one? We're sure most of you would falter. Bente is the feminine form of Benedict in the Dutch language. It conjures up the image of a fearless little girl who would dare to make the world a better place. The meaning of Bente is 'brave'.

46. Brechtje

Brechtje is the feminine version of Brecht. Any baby with this name would bring joy to people around her.

47. Jade

Jade is a Spanish term for the precious green stone, but it's on the rise as a baby name in the Netherlands. The gem is said to transmit clarity, wisdom, justice and modesty, virtues that parents want in their children.

48. Arabella

If you love the name Isabella, but do not want your daughter to share it with six other kids in her school, then you can try Arabella. The name may sound new, but it is fairly common in the Netherlands and the UK. It appeared in several literary works such as Jude, the Obscure by Thomas Hardy and Tom Jones by Henry Fielding.

49. Aleta

This one's truly unique and exotic. Aleta is the Dutch form of Adelheid.

50. Lara

Even though Lara is the Russian diminutive of Larissa, it is very popular with the Dutch parents. The name was popularized by the sultry video game character, Lara Croft. The meaning of Lara is 'citadel'.

51. Ilse

Ilse is the Dutch variation of the English name Ilsa. The name is on the rise in the Netherlands, along with its cousin, Elsa, all thanks to the animated film Frozen. The meaning of Ilse is 'pledged to God'.

52. Haven

Haven is a Dutch name, meaning 'port.' This contemporary did not show up on the baby name list until super mother Jessica Alba gave it to her daughter. Haven is an excellent virtue name, without having a strong connotation of a moniker like Heaven.

53. Gwen

Gwen may have originated as a short form for Gwendolyn, but now stands all on its own. Gwen Stefani gave this name a boost not just in the US, but also in Europe. The meaning of Gwen is 'white circle'.

54. Doutzen

The famous Dutch supermodel, Doutzen Kroes introduced this name to the Netherlands. The name is as glamorous and chic as its bearer. Doutzen gets our thumbs-up.

55. Fay

Also spelled as Fay, Faye sounds like the cousin of May and Ray. In the year 2014, Faye jumped to the top 1000 baby name list. But people now use it more as a middle name than the first name. Morgan le Fay, the original bearer of this name, was a mighty sorcerer in the Arthurian legends.

56. Fleur

Fleur is a generic flower name that entered into the English-speaking world when John Galsworthy bestowed it on one of his characters. The name was also featured in Harry Potter. Currently, Fleur is the 12th most popular name in the Netherlands.

57. Famke

The name Famke entered the mainstream via the Dutch-born actress Famke Janssen. It means a little girl. The name is familiar in the neighboring parts of the Netherlands as well.

58. Anneke

Anneke is the Dutch version of the classic name Anna. This ultra-feminine name would suit your elegant and graceful little girl as its meaning is 'grace'.

59. Anouk

Here's another Dutch variant of Anna. It would suit an adventurous and sweet girl.

60. Evi

This is the sweetest Dutch baby girl name. Evi is a short name and would make it easy for the kids to learn the spelling. If you want a unique name for your daughter, Evi would be perfect.

61. Cornelia

Cornelia is the feminine version of the name Cornelius. The name is Latin, but is widely popular in the Netherlands. Do you know how this name became popular? In ancient Rome, Cornelia was the paragon of a woman's nature, making it a great name with excellent pedigree.

62. Marit

Marit is a straightforward and unusual baby name, with an attractive Scandinavian accent. The regal name Marit was vital in Norwegian culture. The name means 'pearl', but sounds even prettier.

63. Maud

Maud is the Dutch variation of Matilda. This lacy and mauve-tinted name was widely popular with the Dutch people over a hundred years ago, but it is not much heard now. Some parents still use it as a middle name. Maude is another spelling variation of Maud.

64. Luna

This robust and shimmery name has been growing in popularity after being influenced by the Harry Potter character, Luna Lovegood. This name jumped 119 places in just two years. Luna, the name of the Roman goddess, is increasing in popularity in Europe. It's already on the top 100 list in the Netherlands.

65. Noa

Noa is one of the most familiar Biblical Dutch baby names. This name is used not just in the Netherlands, but all over Europe. It's also one of the top 100 baby names in Spain, and has now entered the US top 1000 as well. The meaning of Noa is 'motion'.

66. Tess

Tess is a Dutch short form of Theresa. With a strong, Thomas Hardy backing, Tess has a lot of strength, substance and style than most of the one-syllable Dutch baby names. Another namesake is Tess Gerritsen, who was born Terry, but changed her name when she began writing novels.

67. Yara

Yara is an exotic baby name, meaning 'small butterfly'. It's the name of a beautiful green-hued Brazilian goddess. We think it sounds much cooler and more unique than Sara or Mara.

68. Hannie

Hannie, the diminutive Dutch version of Johanna, refers to the Dutch taste for the nicknames taken from the middle and the end of the name. They have tweaked the end slightly here, but it's still quintessentially Dutch. The meaning of Hannie is 'compassionate'.

69. Lieke

Lieke is the Dutch short form of Angelica. The meaning of Lieke is 'angelic'.

70. Malou

Mary Lou is a combination of Mary and Lou and means 'bitter'. This charming and popular Dutch name has not yet traveled to the US. So American parents should definitely use this name before it becomes common. Lou is the best nickname for Malou.

71. Liv

Liv Tyler, the famous Hollywood actress, infused life into this short, yet old Dutch baby girl name. Julian Moore selected this name for her daughter. Liv is constantly on a rise as it gained 340 spots since the year 2012. The meaning of Liv is 'life'.

72. Sanne

Sanne, the Dutch diminutive of Susanne, is a hugely popular baby girl name in the Netherlands. But it's almost unknown in the Asian and American countries, making it an excellent prospect for parents who are looking for an unusual name.

73. Skylar

Skylar is traditionally a baby boy name, but it is used more as a female name in the Netherlands. It's an alternative spelling for the classic name 'Schuler'.

74. Adrie

Adrie is a beautiful and short name meaning 'from the Adriatic'.

75. Amalia

Amalia is a cross-cultural name heard throughout Europe. The current heir to the throne of the Netherlands is Princess Catharina Amalia. This name means 'work'.

76. Anneliese

Anneliese is the Dutch combination of Anna and Liese. It is an old-fashioned name, but has a modern appeal to it. It is at 510th spot right now on the baby name list.

77. Beatrix

Beatrix is not a Dutch name, but is used widely in the Netherlands. It means 'she who brings happiness'. This name is associated with Beatrix Potter, creator of Peter Rabbit.

78. Brandy

This Dutch name once belonged to the sorority circle of the 1970s and 1980s. It's now on the wagon, with thousands of parents opting for it every year.

79. Tulip

You must have heard of the beautiful Tulip Garden in Amsterdam. It is also one of the most unusual floral names.

80. Dael

Don't you think Dael, the variation of the name Dale, sounds cooler than the latter? We believe that it's the vowel switching that is giving this name a hippy look.

81. Daffodil

Apart from Tulip, Daffodil is also one of the most used floral names in the Netherlands. It would make a strong, springtime statement. For the nickname, you can use Daffy.

82. Doortje

Doortje is the Dutch name for Dorothea. This romantic name has been off the charts for a while now. So, it will make a unique pick for your daughter. Doortje means 'gift of God'.

83. Elsje

Elsje is the Dutch variation of Elsa and means 'pledged to God'. This name was lost in the limbo for decades, now revived after the release of the movie 'Frozen'.

84. Grietje

Grietje is the Dutch form of Greta, which is a diminutive of Margaret. It means 'pearl'. Grietje sounds incredibly exotic

85. Eline

Eline is the Dutch variation of Eliane. This rhythmic and lilting name is one of the fastest rising El – starting names.

Naming your baby can be one of the most exciting things during your parenting journey. Parents want their babies to have unique names that stand out and sound elegant. The Dutch baby names provided in this list are perfect for fulfilling your desire to have a special name for your child. Most of these names have been inspired by the nature and culture of the Dutch, symbolizing honesty and bravery. So, now that you have a handy list with you, explore the names and choose the one that fascinates you the most.

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Arshi Ahmed did her graduation from Shri Shikshayatan College, Kolkata, and post graduation in English from Lovely Professional University. She specializes in writing baby names articles as she loves to help new parents find a name for their child. Arshi understands how important it is for a parent to find the right name because the name gives the baby an... more