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Dutch baby names carry the charm of the Netherlands’ history, language, and culture. Many of them are short, strong, and easy to pronounce, while others reflect Biblical roots, nature, or traditional European influences. Parents looking for Dutch baby names will find a mix of timeless classics and modern choices that blend tradition with simplicity.
Dutch Boy Names with Meanings
Dutch boy names are often rooted in strong, traditional values while also being globally recognizable.
Arjen – Means “pure” or “holy.”
Bram – Short form of Abraham, meaning “father of many.”
Daan – Popular short form of Daniel, meaning “God is my judge.”
Sven – Means “young warrior.”
Jelle – Means “sacrifice” or “value.”
Niels – Dutch form of Nicholas, meaning “victory of the people.”
Koen – Means “brave” or “bold.”
Timo – Short form of Timothy, meaning “honoring God.”
Rik – Means “strong ruler.”
Luuk – Dutch form of Luke, meaning “light.”
Johan – Traditional name meaning “God is gracious.”
Gerrit – Means “brave spearman.”
Willem – Dutch form of William, meaning “resolute protector.”
Maarten – Derived from Mars, the god of war, meaning “warlike.”
Dirk – Means “the people’s ruler.”
Lars – Scandinavian influence, meaning “crowned with laurel.”
Kees – Short form of Cornelius, meaning “horn.”
Hendrik – Means “ruler of the home.”
Pieter – Dutch form of Peter, meaning “rock.”
Sander – Short for Alexander, meaning “defender of men.”
Jan – Classic Dutch name, meaning “God is gracious.”
Stefan – Means “crown” or “wreath.”
Bas – Short for Sebastian, meaning “revered.”
Roel – Means “famous throughout the land.”
Thijs – Short form of Matthias, meaning “gift of God.”
Gijs – Unique Dutch name meaning “pledge” or “hostage.”
Victor – Means “winner” or “conqueror.”
Ruben – Biblical name meaning “behold, a son.”
Marc – Dutch form of Marcus, meaning “dedicated to Mars.”
Olaf – Means “ancestor’s relic.”
Sjoerd – Means “victory guardian.”
Floris – Means “flowering” or “blooming.”
Vincent – Means “to conquer.”
Cornelis – Classic name meaning “horn.”
Thomas – Biblical name meaning “twin.”
Edward – Means “wealthy guardian.”
Hugo – Means “mind” or “intellect.”
Milan – Popular modern name meaning “gracious” or “dear.”
Jacob – Biblical name meaning “supplanter.”
Leon – Means “lion.”
Sebastiaan – Dutch form of Sebastian, meaning “venerable.”
Ralph – Means “wolf counsel.”
Klaas – Short form of Nicholas, meaning “victory of the people.”
Joost – Derived from Justus, meaning “just” or “fair.”
Bart – Short form of Bartholomew, meaning “son of Talmai.”
Evert – Means “strong as a wild boar.”
Arno – Means “eagle.”
Oscar – Means “God’s spear.”
Paul – Biblical name meaning “small” or “humble.”
Casper – Means “treasurer.”
Dutch Girl Names with Meanings
Dutch girl names are often elegant, charming, and filled with cultural or Biblical significance.
Anna – Means “grace” or “favor.”
Sanne – Dutch diminutive of Susanna, meaning “lily.”
Lieke – Means “angelic” or “messenger.”
Emma – Means “universal” or “whole.”
Noa – Biblical name meaning “motion” or “rest.”
Eva – Means “life.”
Fleur – French influence, meaning “flower.”
Anouk – Means “grace.”
Mila – Means “gracious” or “dear.”
Yara – Means “small butterfly” or “friend.”
Tess – Short form of Theresa, meaning “harvester.”
Roos – Means “rose.”
Lotte – Short form of Charlotte, meaning “free woman.”
Femke – Diminutive name meaning “little woman.”
Nina – Means “dreamer” or “little girl.”
Iris – Refers to the rainbow or the flower.
Maud – Means “powerful in battle.”
Elise – Means “pledged to God.”
Daphne – Greek origin, meaning “laurel tree.”
Isabelle – Means “devoted to God.”
Cato – Unique Dutch girl name meaning “pure.”
Amber – Means “precious gem.”
Julia – Means “youthful.”
Marieke – Means “rebellious” or “wished-for child.”
Jasmijn – Means “jasmine flower.”
Hanna – Means “favor” or “grace.”
Esmee – Means “esteemed” or “beloved.”
Loes – Short form of Louise, meaning “renowned warrior.”
Sophie – Means “wisdom.”
Elin – Means “light.”
Catharina – Means “pure.”
Madelief – Means “daisy flower.”
Naomi – Means “pleasantness.”
Miriam – Biblical name meaning “wished-for child.”
Grietje – Diminutive of Margaret, meaning “pearl.”
Floor – Short form of Florentina, meaning “flowering.”
Olivia – Means “olive tree.”
Helena – Means “bright” or “shining light.”
Lisanne – Combination of Lisa and Anne, meaning “graceful.”
Karin – Means “pure.”
Annelies – Combination of Anna and Liese, meaning “graceful oath.”
Evi – Means “life” or “living one.”
Selma – Means “divine protection.”
Diana – Refers to the Roman goddess of the moon.
Tessa – Means “to harvest.”
Leonie – Means “lioness.”
Wilma – Feminine of William, meaning “resolute protector.”
Petra – Means “rock.”
Marja – Dutch form of Mary, meaning “beloved.”
Sylvia – Means “from the forest.”
Hilde – Means “battle woman.”
Most Common Dutch Surnames or Last Names
Dutch surnames often come from occupations, geography, or patronymic traditions. Many are easily recognizable worldwide.
De Jong – Means “the young.”
Jansen – Means “son of Jan.”
De Vries – Means “the Frisian.”
Bakker – Means “baker.”
Visser – Means “fisherman.”
Smit – Means “smith” or “metalworker.”
Meijer – Means “steward” or “bailiff.”
Bos – Means “forest.”
Mulder – Means “miller.”
Dekker – Means “roofer” or “thatcher.”
Kok – Means “cook.”
Van Dijk – Refers to “from the dike.”
Peters – Means “son of Peter.”
Hendriks – Means “son of Hendrik.”
Van der Meer – Means “from the lake.”
Hoekstra – Means “from the corner” or “nook.”
Kuiper – Means “cooper” or “barrel maker.”
Schouten – Means “sheriff” or “magistrate.”
Post – Means “post” or “messenger.”
Van den Berg – Means “from the mountain.”
Veenstra – Means “from the peatland.”
Brouwer – Means “brewer.”
Willems – Means “son of Willem.”
Prins – Means “prince.”
De Boer – Means “the farmer.”
Vos – Means “fox.”
Maas – Refers to the River Maas in the Netherlands.
Sanders – Means “son of Sander.”
Peeters – Variant of Peters, meaning “son of Peter.”
Brands – Means “sword” or “fire.”
Hermans – Means “son of Herman.”
Scholten – Means “farm manager.”
Timmerman – Means “carpenter.”
Groen – Means “green” or “lush.”
Molenaar – Means “miller.”
Vink – Means “finch” (bird).
Blom – Means “flower.”
Vermeulen – Means “from the mill.”
Hoogland – Means “high land.”
Wolters – Means “son of Wolter.”
Koster – Means “sexton” or “church caretaker.”
Jonker – Means “young nobleman.”
Mol – Means “mole.”
Schipper – Means “skipper” or “shipmaster.”
De Groot – Means “the great” or “tall.”
Van Dam – Means “from the dam.”
Boersma – Means “farmer.”
Zwart – Means “black.”
Knol – Means “turnip” or “bulb.”
Teunissen – Means “son of Teunis.”
Van Leeuwen – Means “from Leeuwen.”
FAQs on Dutch Baby Names
What makes Dutch baby names unique?
They often blend short, strong sounds with cultural and Biblical origins, making them recognizable worldwide.
Do Dutch names have special meanings?
Yes, many Dutch names reflect nature, strength, family lineage, or Christian values.
Why do many Dutch surnames start with “Van”?
“Van” means “from,” indicating a family’s origin from a specific place.
Are Dutch baby names easy to use internationally?
Yes, names like Bram, Anna, and Lars are widely recognized and simple to pronounce globally.
Are Dutch baby names influenced by other cultures?
Yes, Dutch names often show Germanic, Biblical, and even French influences due to history and geography.
Dutch baby names beautifully reflect the heritage of the Netherlands. With boy and girl names that symbolize strength, grace, and tradition, and surnames tied to geography and occupations, Dutch names remain timeless and meaningful for families around the world.
