Dutchname

Dutchname refers to the naming system used by people in the Netherlands and other Dutch-speaking communities. A Dutchname typically consists of a given name (voornamen) followed by a family name (achternaam). Many individuals have two given names, one often religious or family-linked, which they may use together or only the second name in daily life. Surnames in the Netherlands derive from several sources, including patronymics (such as Jansen), toponymics (such as van der Meer), occupations (de Boer), or descriptive nicknames.

Historically, Dutch surnames emerged from a variety of practices and were later standardized. In 1811, under French rule, the Netherlands required fixed, hereditary surnames, which solidified family names for official records. Prefixes such as van, de, ter, or ten indicate origin or association; the treatment of these prefixes in alphabetization varies by system. For example, Vincent van Gogh is commonly indexed under G, though some lists place van Gogh under V.

Given names and usage patterns are distinctive. Dutch people often have two given names and may use either one in daily life. Compound or hyphenated given names are common (for example, Jan Willem or Anna-Louisa). In official documents, the full set of given names is recorded, with the first listed name typically serving as the primary name in everyday use.

Modern Dutch naming reflects globalization and demographic change. Immigration and multicultural influences have introduced a wider array of names, including those from Surinamese, Indonesian, Turkish, and Arabic-speaking communities. Names today can be more gender-neutral or culturally diverse, while traditional Dutch prefixes and surname structures continue to shape how Dutch names are formed, written, and indexed.