← Dutch Surnames

Dutch First Names

Meanings, origins, Golden Age history, and diaspora genealogy — every name with its full story

Dutch first names carry centuries of history — from the merchants of Amsterdam's Golden Age to the settlers of New Amsterdam (New York), Cape Colony, and the Dutch East Indies. Many Dutch names have roots in Old Germanic, Hebrew, and Latin, adapted over centuries into distinctly Dutch forms.

Men's Names

Adriaan

AH-dree-ahn
From the Adriatic — explorer, navigator
Male

Dirk

DIRK
Ruler of the people — Dutch form of Theodoric
Male

Hendrik

HEN-drik
Home-ruler — Dutch form of Henry
Male

Jan

YAN
God is gracious — Dutch form of John
Male

Pieter

PEE-ter
Rock — Dutch form of Peter. Name of Bruegel.
Male

Willem

VIL-em
Resolute protector — Dutch form of William
Male

Women's Names

Anna

AH-nah
Grace — Hebrew Hannah. Name of Dutch scholars.
Female

Cornelia

kor-NAY-lee-ah
From Roman Cornelia — Golden Age Dutch name
Female

Maria

mah-REE-ah
From Hebrew Miriam — beloved, wished-for child
Female

Marieke

mah-REE-keh
Exclusively Dutch diminutive of Maria
Female

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