🇧🇪 Belgium
762
Total names
415
Male names
347
Female names
Naming Rules
Liberal naming since 1987
Belgium liberalized its naming laws in 1987. Parents can freely choose names for their children.
Registrar can flag harmful names
If the civil registrar believes a name is harmful to the child, they can refer the case to the public prosecutor.
Court decides disputed cases
A family court judge makes the final decision if a name is contested.
No gender requirement
Belgian law does not require names to indicate the child's sex.
Legal basis: Code civil / Burgerlijk Wetboek, Article 370/3 (as amended).
Authority: Ambtenaar van de burgerlijke stand / Officier de l'etat civil
Popular Names in Belgium
Top 15 Boy Names
1.Louis
2.Arthur
3.Noah
4.Liam
5.Adam
6.Lucas
7.Victor
8.Jules
9.Mohamed
10.Leon
11.Oscar
12.Alexander
13.Finn
14.Mathis
15.Nathan
Top 15 Girl Names
1.Emma
2.Louise
3.Olivia
4.Alice
5.Mila
6.Charlotte
7.Juliette
8.Noor
9.Anna
10.Marie
11.Elena
12.Lina
13.Elise
14.Nora
15.Lea
Registering a baby name in Belgium
Deadline
15 days after birth
Processing
1-7 days
Fee
Free
Appeal to
Tribunal de la famille / Familierechtbank
Belgium recognises same-day registration in the city where birth occurred. Reforms in 2014 made the system significantly more permissive — most creative names are now accepted.
Traditional Belgian names
Belgium's three language communities (Flemish Dutch, French, German) each have distinct naming patterns. Flemish families lean toward Dutch forms (Jan, Anneke); French-speaking Wallonia toward French forms (Jean, Sophie); the small German-speaking community toward German names.
Examples of names refused or restricted
While Belgium accepts most well-known names, the Service de l'état civil / Dienst Burgerlijke Stand has refused or restricted the following types:
- Names causing prejudice to the child — refused under Article 335 of the Civil Code
- Names creating confusion with surnames — may be refused
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to register a baby name in Belgium?
Parents must declare the name at the Service de l'état civil / Dienst Burgerlijke Stand within 15 days after birth. Processing typically takes 1-7 days. The standard fee is Free.
What names are rejected in Belgium?
Refusals are rare but not unknown. Examples include: Names causing prejudice to the child (refused under Article 335 of the Civil Code); Names creating confusion with surnames (may be refused). The core principle is that no name may harm or humiliate the child.
Can foreign parents use a non-Belgian name?
Yes. Foreign-origin names are generally accepted in Belgium, provided they can be written in the local alphabet and do not conflict with the rules above. Parents from abroad may be asked to show their own passport or the child's prior documents as supporting evidence.
What can I do if the registrar refuses my chosen name?
You can appeal the decision before the Tribunal de la famille / Familierechtbank. In practice, submitting evidence of historical use (saints, writers, previous bearers of the name) or a minor adaptation of spelling usually resolves the case.
Check a name in Belgium
Search 762 names in our Belgium database — plus 24 more European countries.
Check a Name →Last updated: April 2026. For informational purposes only. Always consult your local civil registrar for definitive answers.