🇳🇱 Netherlands
1,125
Total names
640
Male names
485
Female names
Naming Rules
Very liberal naming policy
The Netherlands has one of the most permissive naming systems in Europe. Almost any name is accepted.
Must not be offensive
Names that are inappropriate, offensive, or could be confused with existing surnames in the family are refused.
No gender requirement
Dutch law does not require names to indicate the child's sex.
Registrar can refuse in rare cases
The ambtenaar van de burgerlijke stand can refuse only in extreme cases of inappropriate names.
Legal basis: Burgerlijk Wetboek (Civil Code), Book 1, Articles 1:4 and 1:6.
Authority: Ambtenaar van de burgerlijke stand (civil registrar)
Popular Names in Netherlands
Top 15 Boy Names
1.Noah
2.Liam
3.Sem
4.Lucas
5.Daan
6.Finn
7.Levi
8.Milan
9.Jesse
10.Luuk
11.James
12.Mees
13.Noud
14.Bowen
15.Bram
Top 15 Girl Names
1.Emma
2.Julia
3.Mila
4.Sophie
5.Tessa
6.Sara
7.Anna
8.Nora
9.Yara
10.Eva
11.Lotte
12.Zoë
13.Fleur
14.Olivia
15.Elin
Registering a baby name in Netherlands
Deadline
3 days after birth
Processing
Same day - 3 days
Fee
Free
Appeal to
Rechtbank (district court)
The Netherlands is among the most permissive in Europe — most names are accepted on the same day of registration. The 3-day deadline is strict, though: plan the civil registration promptly after birth.
Traditional Dutch names
Dutch tradition balances Calvinist heritage (Biblical names: Johannes, Maria, Pieter) with strong modern internationalisation. Double-barrelled first names (Jan-Willem, Maria-Anne) are common and legally simple.
Examples of names refused or restricted
While Netherlands accepts most well-known names, the Gemeente (Burgerlijke Stand) has refused or restricted the following types:
- Adolf Hitler (attempted) — refused as clearly harmful
- Surnames used as first names — generally declined
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to register a baby name in Netherlands?
Parents must declare the name at the Gemeente (Burgerlijke Stand) within 3 days after birth. Processing typically takes Same day - 3 days. The standard fee is Free.
What names are rejected in Netherlands?
Refusals are rare but not unknown. Examples include: Adolf Hitler (attempted) (refused as clearly harmful); Surnames used as first names (generally declined). The core principle is that no name may harm or humiliate the child.
Can foreign parents use a non-Dutch name?
Yes. Foreign-origin names are generally accepted in Netherlands, 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 Rechtbank (district court). 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 Netherlands
Search 1,125 names in our Netherlands 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.