The Dutch population registry has updated its records to reveal that Emma and Noah reigned as the most popular baby names for girls and boys in 2022, while traditional monikers Johannes and Maria remain the most common first names overall across the Netherlands. The newly updated database from the Meertens Instituut allows residents to check the historical distribution of 475,191 different given names recorded in the Basisregistratie Personen.
Popularity of 2022 Baby Names Across Dutch Provinces
For newborns in 2022, girl names clustered tightly at the top of national counts. Emma led with 589 newborns, closely followed by Mila at 588 and Julia at 583. Among boys, Noah took the top spot with 804 registrations, outpacing Luca at 636 and Mees at 630.
Regional variations shifted the rankings outside the national average. Drenthe favored Daan and Tess, Friesland recorded Jurre and Lieke as top choices, and Groningen registered Daan and Lotte most frequently. Gelderland recorded Sem and Julia, Limburg preferred Noah and Liv, Overijssel registered Saar and Finn, and Utrecht recorded Noah and Sophie. Zeeland stood out by registering Johannes and Maria for the most newborns, matching the historic names that still dominate the broader population.
Historical Shifts in Dutch First Names
A total of 260,694 people carry the official first name Johannes, while 282,680 answer to Maria, making them the most widespread given names in the country. The Meertens Institute attributes the dominance of these older names to a lack of name diversity among adults aged 55 and older compared to younger generations.
The remaining male top ten consists of Jan, Cornelis, Hendrik, Willem Petrus, Pieter, Gerrit Wilhelmus, Peter, and Robbert as official first names. Female counterparts include Johanna, Anna, Cornelia, Elisabeth, Wilhelmina, Catharina, Hendrika, Adriana, and Petronella. Due to international privacy regulations, the Meertens database only displays exact figures for names shared by more than five individuals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dutch Name Statistics
How many different given names exist in the Netherlands?
The Meertens Institute database tracks a total of 475,191 distinct given names currently in use across the Dutch population.
Where does the underlying data for the name counts originate?
The statistics are drawn directly from the Basisregistratie Personen, which serves as the official population registry for the Netherlands.
Why are exact counts withheld for rare names?
International privacy regulations prevent the database from publishing exact totals for any name held by five or fewer individuals.