kertje

Kertje is a Dutch-language diminutive form of a personal name, created by adding the suffix -je to a base such as Kert. It is typically used as a term of endearment or nickname for someone with that name or a similar short form. The suffix -je signals smallness or affection and is a common feature of Dutch diminutives.

In usage, Kertje usually appears in informal speech within family, among friends, or with intimate partners. It is rarely used in formal contexts, where the base name would be preferred. In literature, music, and media, Kertje may be used as a character name or stage name, lending a familiar or affectionate tone.

Pronunciation in standard Dutch tends to be [ˈkɛrtjə], with a light, clipped final syllable. Spelling is stable as Kertje; variations are uncommon and typically dialectal.

Geographic distribution is concentrated in Dutch-speaking regions, notably the Netherlands and Flanders, with frequency varying by region and generation.

Notable people: There are no widely known public figures whose name is Kertje documented in major reference works. The term is better characterized as a diminutive form rather than a formal given name or surname.

See also: Kert, a given name. Diminutive forms in Dutch.