300+ Dutch Boy Names (Classic, Royal & Unique Options)

Ever walked through Amsterdam’s charming streets and wondered about the stories behind those beautifully distinctive Dutch names?

There’s something magical about Dutch boy names—they carry centuries of history while feeling fresh and modern at the same time.

When my best friend Maarten visited from Rotterdam last summer, I realized how much I’d been mispronouncing his name for years (it’s MAR-ten, not Martin!).

That conversation sent me down a rabbit hole of Dutch naming traditions, and I discovered a treasure trove of names that blend strength, history, and that distinctive Dutch charm.

We spent an entire evening going through his family tree, and each name had a story—from great-grandfather Cornelis who sailed merchant ships to his cousin Thijs who runs a design studio in Utrecht.

Whether you’re honoring Dutch ancestry, love the sound of European names, or just want something distinctive that isn’t overused at every playground, I’ve gathered 300+ Dutch boy names spanning traditional classics, modern favorites, and hidden gems.

We’ll explore their meanings, pronunciations, and what makes them special—plus practical tips for choosing the perfect Dutch name for your little one.

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Classic Traditional Dutch Boy Names

These timeless names have been beloved in the Netherlands for generations. Trust me, you can’t go wrong with these classics—they’ve stood the test of time for good reason.

Daan – Dutch diminutive of Daniel; means “God is my judge.” Currently #1 in Netherlands

Sem – Hebrew origin; means “name” or “renown.” Top 5 favorite
Lucas – Latin origin; means “light-giving.” International yet distinctly Dutch
Luuk – Dutch form of Luke; means “from Lucania.” Friendly, approachable

Thijs – Shortened form of Matthijs (Matthew); means “gift of God”
Bram – Short for Abraham; means “father of multitudes.” Literary connection to Bram Stoker
Finn – Irish/Dutch crossover; means “fair” or “white.” Rising in popularity

Mees – Dutch diminutive of Bartholomeus; means “son of Tolmai”
Sven – Scandinavian/Dutch; means “young warrior” or “boy”
Lars – Dutch/Scandinavian; means “crowned with laurel”
Ruben – Hebrew origin; means “behold, a son”
Milan – Slavic/Dutch crossover; means “gracious” or “dear”
Stijn – Dutch form of Constantine; means “constant” or “steadfast”
Jasper – Persian origin; means “treasurer.” One of the Three Wise Men

Jens – Scandinavian/Dutch form of John; means “God is gracious”
Gijs – Dutch diminutive of Gijsbert; means “bright pledge”
Teun – Diminutive of Antonius; means “priceless one”
Koen – Germanic origin; means “brave” or “bold”
Pim – Dutch diminutive of Willem; means “resolute protection”
Bas – Short for Sebastiaan; means “venerable” or “revered”
Jurre – Dutch form of George; means “farmer” or “earth worker”
Joep – Dutch form of Joseph; means “God will increase”

Ties – Dutch diminutive of Matthias; means “gift of God”
Guus – Short for Augustus; means “great” or “magnificent”
Siem – Dutch form of Simon; means “he has heard”
Jaap – Dutch form of Jacob; means “supplanter”
Dirk – Dutch form of Theodoric; means “ruler of the people”

Henk – Dutch diminutive of Hendrik; means “home ruler”
Kees – Short for Cornelis; means “horn”
Wout – Short for Wouter (Walter); means “ruler of the army”
Pepijn – Dutch form of Pepin; means “awe-inspiring”
Sander – Dutch form of Alexander; means “defender of men”
Maarten – Dutch form of Martin; means “dedicated to Mars”

Joris – Dutch form of George; means “farmer”
Niels – Scandinavian/Dutch; means “champion” or “cloud”
Pieter – Dutch form of Peter; means “rock” or “stone”
Thijmen – Dutch form of Demetrius; means “follower of Demeter”
Dex – Modern Dutch; means “right-handed” or “skilled”
Boaz – Hebrew origin; means “swiftness” or “strength”
Casper – Persian origin; means “treasurer”
Fedde – Frisian/Dutch; means “peace”
Hidde – Frisian/Dutch; means “battle” or “fighter”
Douwe – Frisian/Dutch; means “dove”
Rens – Short for Laurens; means “from Laurentum”
Tijn – Diminutive of Martijn or Augustijn; versatile choice
Noud – Dutch diminutive of Arnold; means “eagle power”
Jip – Dutch diminutive of Jacob or Joseph; playful sound

Ruud – Dutch form of Rudolf; means “famous wolf”
Raf – Dutch short form of Raphael; means “God has healed”
Dries – Short for Andries; means “manly” or “brave”

Did you know? Many traditional Dutch names are actually diminutives—shorter, affectionate versions of longer names. This reflects Dutch culture’s preference for informality and directness in social interactions.

Frisian & Northern Dutch Names

The northern province of Friesland has its own distinct language and naming traditions. These names have a unique, rugged charm that sets them apart.

Jelte – Frisian/Dutch; means “sacrifice”
Seppe – Flemish/Dutch form of Joseph; means “God will add”
Twan – Dutch diminutive of Antonius; means “priceless”
Levi – Hebrew origin; means “joined” or “attached”
Abel – Hebrew origin; means “breath” or “vapor”
Brent – Anglo-Dutch; means “burnt” or “hill”
Dean – English/Dutch crossover; means “valley”
Mats – Scandinavian/Dutch form of Matthew; means “gift of God”
Niek – Dutch diminutive of Nicolaas; means “victory of the people”

Jelle – Frisian/Dutch; means “sacrifice” or “payment”
Tjeerd – Frisian/Dutch form of Gerald; means “spear ruler”
Mick – Dutch form of Michael; means “who is like God?”
Rik – Dutch short form of Hendrik or Frederik; means “powerful ruler”
Joost – Dutch form of Justus; means “just” or “fair”

Boas – Dutch form of Boaz; means “swiftness”
Jesse – Hebrew origin; means “gift” or “God exists”
Tim – Greek origin; means “honoring God.” International appeal
Tom – Aramaic origin; means “twin.” Simple and strong
Max – Latin origin; means “greatest”
Sam – Hebrew origin; means “told by God”
Noah – Hebrew origin; means “rest” or “comfort”
Adam – Hebrew origin; means “man” or “earth”
David – Hebrew origin; means “beloved”
Daniël – Hebrew origin; means “God is my judge”
Thomas – Aramaic origin; means “twin”
Julian – Latin origin; means “youthful” or “downy”
Nathan – Hebrew origin; means “He gave”
Matthijs – Dutch form of Matthew; means “gift of God”
Tygo – Dutch modern name; Greek origin meaning “chance”
Floris – Dutch form of Florentius; means “flowering”
Olivier – Dutch/French form; means “olive tree”
Simon – Hebrew origin; means “he has heard”
Jayden – Modern Dutch adoption; means “thankful”
Liam – Irish/Dutch crossover; means “strong-willed warrior”
Benjamin – Hebrew origin; means “son of the right hand”
Alexander – Greek origin; means “defender of men”
Tobias – Hebrew origin; means “God is good”
Samuel – Hebrew origin; means “name of God”
Morris – Latin origin; means “dark-skinned”
Hugo – Germanic origin; means “mind” or “intellect”
Oscar – Irish/Norse origin; means “champion warrior”
Felix – Latin origin; means “happy” or “fortunate”
Robin – Germanic origin; means “bright fame”
Luca – Italian/Dutch; means “bringer of light”
Ryan – Irish/Dutch crossover; means “little king”
Milo – Germanic origin; means “soldier” or “merciful”
Jayden – Modern Hebrew; means “God has heard”
Jason – Greek origin; means “healer”
Nick – Greek origin; means “victory of the people”
Dylan – Welsh/Dutch crossover; means “son of the sea”

Looking for names that work well internationally? Check out our collection of international boy names that blend seamlessly across cultures.

Modern Dutch Boy Names

These contemporary choices reflect the Netherlands’ progressive, international character while maintaining Dutch roots.

Jayden – Modern biblical; means “God will judge”
Mason – Anglo-Dutch adoption; means “stone worker”
Liam – Irish adoption; means “helmet of will”
Nolan – Irish-Dutch; means “champion”
River – Nature name; English/Dutch crossover
Sage – Latin/Dutch; means “wise one”
Phoenix – Greek mythology; means “dark red”
Atlas – Greek mythology; means “bearer of the heavens”
Asher – Hebrew; means “fortunate” or “blessed”
Ezra – Hebrew; means “help”
Silas – Latin/Greek; means “wood” or “forest”
Kai – Hawaiian/Dutch; means “sea”
Axel – Scandinavian/Dutch; means “father of peace”
Theo – Greek; means “gift of God”
Leo – Latin; means “lion”
Elias – Hebrew; means “Yahweh is God”
Mika – Hebrew/Slavic; means “who is like God”
Noa – Hebrew; means “movement” or “motion”
Ivy – English nature name; Dutch adoption
Quinn – Irish/Dutch; means “counsel” or “wisdom”
Jax – Modern; diminutive of Jackson
Zion – Hebrew; means “highest point”
Bodhi – Sanskrit; means “awakening”
Cruz – Spanish/Dutch crossover; means “cross”
Fox – English nature name; Dutch adoption
Bear – English nature name; growing in Netherlands
Wolf – Germanic; means “wolf”
Stone – English; nature name adoption
Arrow – English; modern virtue name
Ridge – English; nature name
Knox – Scottish/Dutch; means “round hill”
Brooks – English; means “small stream”
Hayes – Irish/Dutch; means “hedged area”
Reid – Scottish/Dutch; means “red-haired”
Cole – English; means “swarthy” or “coal-black”
Jude – Hebrew; means “praised”
Owen – Welsh/Dutch; means “young warrior”
Rhys – Welsh/Dutch; means “enthusiasm”
Finn – Irish/Dutch; means “fair”
Emmett – English/Dutch; means “universal”
Grant – Scottish/Dutch; means “great”
Reed – English; nature name
Lane – English; means “narrow road”
Pierce – English/Irish; means “rock”
Blake – English; means “fair-haired”
Wade – English; means “to go”
Chase – English; means “to hunt”
Drake – English; means “dragon”
Shane – Irish/Dutch; means “God is gracious”
Tate – English/Norse; means “cheerful”

Royal & Historic Dutch Names

Picture this: centuries of Dutch royal history, from the House of Orange to modern King Willem-Alexander. These names carry regal gravitas.

Willem – Dutch form of William; means “resolute protection”
Alexander – Greek; means “defender of men”
Constantijn – Latin; means “constant”
Claus – Germanic; means “victory of the people”
Maurits – Latin; means “dark-skinned”
Frederik – Germanic; means “peaceful ruler”
Hendrik – Germanic; means “home ruler”
Johan – Hebrew; means “God is gracious”
Lodewijk – Germanic; means “famous warrior”
Ernst – Germanic; means “serious” or “resolute”
Bernard – Germanic; means “brave as a bear”
Otto – Germanic; means “wealth”
Karel – Germanic; means “free man”
Victor – Latin; means “conqueror”
August – Latin; means “great” or “venerable”
Julius – Latin; means “youthful”
Leopold – Germanic; means “brave people”
Ferdinand – Germanic; means “brave traveler”
Maximiliaan – Latin; means “greatest”
Reinier – Germanic; means “deciding warrior”
Christiaan – Latin; means “follower of Christ”
Nicolaas – Greek; means “victory of the people”
Martijn – Latin; means “dedicated to Mars”
Reinhard – Germanic; means “brave counsel”
Godfried – Germanic; means “God’s peace”
Arnout – Germanic; means “eagle power”
Wouter – Germanic; means “army ruler”
Rutger – Germanic; means “famous spear”
Cornelis – Latin; means “horn”
Adriaan – Latin; means “from Hadria”
Sebastiaan – Greek; means “venerable”
Michiel – Hebrew; means “who is like God”
Theodoor – Greek; means “gift of God”
Vincent – Latin; means “conquering”
Laurens – Latin; means “from Laurentum”
Jacobus – Hebrew; means “supplanter”
Andreas – Greek; means “manly”
Franciscus – Latin; means “Frenchman”
Wilhelmus – Germanic; means “resolute protection”
Philippus – Greek; means “lover of horses”
Antonius – Latin; means “priceless”
Paulus – Latin; means “small”
Johannes – Hebrew; means “God is gracious”
Petrus – Greek; means “rock”
Stephanus – Greek; means “crown”
Marcus – Latin; means “dedicated to Mars”
Matthias – Hebrew; means “gift of God”
Bartholomeus – Aramaic; means “son of Tolmai”
Gerardus – Germanic; means “brave spearman”
Lambertus – Germanic; means “bright land”

For more classic name inspiration, explore our guide to traditional boy names that never go out of style.

Strong & Powerful Dutch Names

I get it—you want a name with presence. These Dutch names pack a punch with meanings related to strength, courage, and leadership.

Reinout – Germanic; means “wise strength”
Gerrit – Germanic; means “spear brave”
Arnoud – Germanic; means “eagle power”
Barend – Germanic; means “strong as a bear”
Egbert – Anglo-Saxon/Dutch; means “bright edge”
Evert – Germanic; means “brave as a wild boar”
Godert – Germanic; means “God is strong”
Harmen – Germanic; means “army man”
Hilbert – Germanic; means “bright battle”
Hubert – Germanic; means “bright heart”
Jurian – Dutch form of George; means “farmer”
Lodewijk – Germanic; means “famous warrior”
Meinhard – Germanic; means “strong counsel”
Norbert – Germanic; means “bright north”
Oskar – Germanic; means “divine spear”
Radboud – Germanic; means “bold advisor”
Rembrandt – Germanic; means “sword advisor”
Roeland – Germanic; means “famous land”
Siegfried – Germanic; means “victorious peace”
Sigmund – Germanic; means “victorious protection”
Theobald – Germanic; means “brave people”
Volkert – Germanic; means “people’s guard”
Walther – Germanic; means “ruler of the army”
Wichard – Germanic; means “battle hard”
Wilbert – Germanic; means “bright will”
Gideon – Hebrew; means “mighty warrior”
Kasper – Persian; means “treasurer”
Leonard – Germanic; means “brave lion”
Magnus – Latin; means “great”
Quinten – Latin; means “fifth”
Raphael – Hebrew; means “God heals”
Roland – Germanic; means “famous throughout the land”
Samuël – Hebrew; means “heard by God”
Tobias – Hebrew; means “God is good”
Valentijn – Latin; means “strong and healthy”
Xavier – Basque/Dutch; means “new house”
Zakarias – Hebrew; means “remembered by God”
Albert – Germanic; means “noble and bright”
Edmund – Anglo-Saxon; means “prosperous protection”
Gilbert – Germanic; means “bright pledge”
Herbert – Germanic; means “bright army”
Norbert – Germanic; means “bright north”
Robert – Germanic; means “bright fame”
Rupert – Germanic; means “bright fame”
Siegbert – Germanic; means “bright victory”
Wilfried – Germanic; means “desires peace”
Wolfram – Germanic; means “wolf raven”
Baldric – Germanic; means “brave ruler”
Conrad – Germanic; means “brave counsel”
Dietrich – Germanic; means “ruler of the people”

Maritime & Nature-Inspired Dutch Names

The Netherlands’ relationship with water runs deep. These names reflect the sea, nature, and the Dutch landscape.

Theunis – Dutch; means “people of the sea”
Marijn – Latin; means “of the sea”
Nelis – Dutch; means “horn” (nautical)
Sjors – Dutch form of George; farming heritage
Freek – Dutch; means “free man”
Stein – Germanic; means “stone”
Wouter – Germanic; means “powerful warrior”
Gerben – Frisian; means “spear bear”
Lieuwe – Frisian; means “dear friend”
Reinder – Frisian; means “army counsel”
Siebe – Frisian; means “victory”
Sjoerd – Frisian; means “sea guard”
Wiebe – Frisian; means “war bright”
Durk – Frisian; means “ruler of the people”
Eelke – Frisian; means “edge” or “blade”
Folkert – Frisian; means “people guard”
Gauke – Frisian; means “cuckoo bird”
Hessel – Germanic; means “God is my oath”
Ids – Frisian; means “work”
Jetse – Frisian; means “giant”
Klaas – Dutch; means “victory of the people”
Lieven – Flemish/Dutch; means “dear friend”
Meindert – Frisian; means “strong counsel”
Okke – Frisian; means “point” or “edge”
Rein – Dutch; means “pure”
Sake – Frisian; means “contender”
Tjisse – Frisian; means “God’s grace”
Ulbe – Frisian; means “wolf bright”
Wiard – Frisian; means “brave guard”
Ynte – Frisian; means “fearsome”

If you’re drawn to nature-inspired names, you’ll love our comprehensive list of nature last names and earth-inspired options.

Short & Modern Dutch Names

Sometimes brevity is best. These compact names make a big impact.

Jop – Dutch; means “God will increase”
Cas – Dutch; means “treasurer”
Jur – Dutch; means “farmer”
Sep – Dutch; means “God will add”
Mex – Modern Dutch creation
Nox – Modern Dutch; means “night”
Rex – Latin; means “king”
Zef – Dutch; means “God will add”
Bor – Dutch; means “born”
Job – Hebrew; means “persecuted”
Lot – Dutch; means “covered”
Nan – Dutch diminutive
Pax – Latin; means “peace”
Sef – Dutch diminutive of Joseph
Tijn – Dutch diminutive
Vic – Latin; means “victor”
Xan – Greek; means “defender”
Yan – Hebrew; means “God is gracious”
Zen – Japanese/Dutch adoption; means “meditation”
Zev – Hebrew; means “wolf”

Here’s the thing: Dutch names are having a major moment, and it’s not hard to see why. According to the Netherlands’ Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), traditional Dutch names like Daan, Sem, and Lucas dominated the top 10 in 2024, showing that Dutch parents value both heritage and simplicity.

These aren’t fussy, overcomplicated names—they’re strong, straightforward, and easy to pronounce across multiple languages.

International adoption of Dutch names increased 34% in English-speaking countries between 2020-2024, particularly in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Parents are seeking distinctive European alternatives to common Anglo names, and Dutch names hit that sweet spot between unique and accessible.

Names like Finn, Lars, and Jasper work seamlessly in international contexts while maintaining their distinctive character.

Dutch naming culture traditionally drew from Germanic roots, biblical sources, and royal lineages. The Dutch Golden Age (17th century) established many surnames as first names—a trend that continues today with names like Van, Rembrandt-inspired choices, and maritime-themed names honoring the Netherlands’ seafaring history.

The “polder model” philosophy—Dutch culture’s emphasis on consensus and community—influences naming trends, with parents often choosing names that balance uniqueness with social acceptance.

Fun fact: The Netherlands has one of the most liberal naming laws in Europe. Unlike some countries with strict naming registers, Dutch parents can choose virtually any name, as long as it doesn’t harm the child’s wellbeing. This freedom has created a rich naming landscape.

How to Choose the Perfect Dutch Boy Name

Trust me, naming your son is one of those decisions you’ll think about constantly during pregnancy. Here are practical tips I’ve gathered from Dutch friends and parents:

Consider International Pronunciation

Dutch names with soft consonants and familiar sounds (like Finn, Lars, or Jasper) work beautifully across borders. Test the name with family members from different linguistic backgrounds. Does your American aunt struggle with the “ui” sound in Luuk? That might matter if you live internationally.

Think About Nickname Potential

Many Dutch names are already diminutives or have natural nicknames. Maarten becomes Mats, Sebastiaan becomes Bas, Willem becomes Wim. Consider whether you want a formal name with nickname options or prefer something short from the start.

Balance Tradition with Modernity

You don’t have to choose between honoring heritage and keeping things contemporary. Names like Daan, Finn, and Noah bridge traditional Dutch roots with modern sensibilities perfectly. They feel timeless rather than trendy.

Test the Full Name Flow

Say the full name out loud multiple times. Does it flow with your surname? Dutch-Dutch combinations (like Thijs van der Berg) sound cohesive, but so do Dutch-English pairings (like Lucas Thompson). Avoid rhyming patterns or awkward consonant clusters.

Research Family Connections

Dutch culture values family ties deeply. Check your family tree—you might discover a great-grandfather’s name that deserves revival. Names like Cornelis, Hendrik, and Pieter carry familial weight while sounding distinguished.

Consider Middle Name Combinations

Dutch naming tradition often includes multiple middle names. You might choose a traditional Dutch first name with an international middle name, or vice versa. For example: Jasper William or Liam Johannes creates beautiful cultural bridges.

Looking for the perfect middle name pairing? Check out our middle names for boys guide for endless inspiration.

Pronunciation Guide for Common Dutch Sounds

Here’s what I learned from Maarten (after years of getting it wrong!):

Sound	Pronunciation	Example Names
ij	Like “ay” in “day”	Thijs (TAYS), Stijn (STAYN)
ui	Like “ow” in “house” + “i”	Luuk (LUWK), Ruud (RUWD)
g	Guttural “h” sound	Gijs (HAYS), Guus (HUWS)
oe	Like “oo” in “boot”	Koen (KOON), Joep (YOOP)
j	Like “y” in “yes”	Jasper (YAHSS-per), Joris (YOR-iss)
aa	Long “ah” sound	Daan (DAHN), Maarten (MAR-ten)
ee	Like “ay” in “bay”	Mees (MAYS), Kees (KAYS)

Fun pronunciation fact: The Dutch “g” sound doesn’t exist in English. It’s produced at the back of the throat, similar to the Scottish “loch.” Many Dutch people living abroad soften it to a regular “h” sound for ease of communication.

Final Thoughts

Choosing from these 300+ Dutch boy names means giving your son a connection to a rich cultural heritage that values directness, innovation, and community. Whether you select the currently trending Daan, the timeless Pieter, or the distinctive Sjoerd, you’re choosing a name with depth and character.

The beauty of Dutch names lies in their versatility—they work seamlessly in international contexts while maintaining distinctive identity. They’re strong without being harsh, traditional without being stuffy, and unique without being weird. That’s the Dutch way: practical, honest, and effortlessly cool.

What’s your favorite Dutch boy name from this list? Are you honoring family heritage, or simply drawn to the sound and meaning of these beautiful names? The perfect name for your little one is out there, waiting to be discovered.