Dutchnaming
Dutchnaming refers to the system of personal naming used in Dutch-speaking regions, chiefly the Netherlands and Flanders. It covers given names, middle names where present, and family names. Modern practice features fixed, hereditary surnames that were standardized in the early 19th century during civil registration. Before that, many people used patronymics—names derived from the father’s given name—that gradually became fixed family names.
Surnames in Dutch naming often include prefixes such as van, de, van der, van den, or ter.
Double surnames and name changes are common features. It is possible to form hyphenated or compound surnames
Given names and usage: Individuals commonly have one or more given names; the first is usually used
Regional variation exists, but Dutchnaming practices are broadly stable across the Dutch-speaking world. In practice, the