antoon

Antoon is a masculine given name found in the Dutch-speaking world, particularly in the Netherlands and in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium. It is the Dutch form of Anthony, which itself derives from the Latin Antonius. The name has medieval roots and appears in Dutch records from several centuries ago. Antoon is typically pronounced with two syllables, roughly AN-TOON, with a long o on the second syllable.

In Dutch and Flemish usage, Antoon is part of a broader family of names derived from Antonius, including Anton, Anthon, and Anthonis. It is often treated as a traditional or formal given name, with occasional diminutives such as Ant, Toon, or Ton used in everyday speech.

Geographically, the name is most commonly found in the Netherlands and the Flemish Region of Belgium, and among Dutch-speaking communities in neighboring countries. In modern times, Antoon is less common as a new birth name but persists as a classic choice and appears in historical records and among older generations.

Notable people with the name include individuals from the historical records of the Low Countries—clerics, artists, and scholars—who bear the name Antoon in archival documents. The spelling and frequency of Antoon have varied over time with shifts in naming fashions and language standardization. Related names include Anthony, Antoine, Anton, and Antonius.