The maiden name Mila is the most popular after Julia (given 696 times), according to the Social Insurance Bank in its annual overview. 648 girls were named Emma, which dropped to third place last year.
Among the boys, Lucas is in second place (734 times) in the list of names. Third place is for Shem (653 times).
In 2021 (up to and including November) 177,473 babies were born in the Netherlands: 90,943 boys and 86,530 girls. Through the payment of child benefits, the Social Insurance Bank can see which names newborn babies have been given.
According to Gerrit Bloothooft, onomastics researcher at Utrecht University, the popularity of first names in the Netherlands is not isolated. He sees an international trend. “The number one among the boys is an international top name, just like Lucas, Liam, James and Finn. Emma, Julia and Sophie have been in charge of the girls for ten years now. These are also internationally popular names, just like Mila and the now rapidly emerging Olivia. America in particular seems to be leading the way.”
Bloothooft calls it striking that “Old Testament – and short – names are in demand”. Examples include Shem, Levi, Sarah and Sarah. The Netherlands should not expect a completely different list of names soon. “Changes in popularity are slow but steady,” said the onomologist. “Only after about 25 years, a generation, do we see a new top list.”
The top 10 most popular names of 2021 looks like this:
Boys: 1. Noah, 2. Lucas, 3. Shem, 4. Zane, 5. Levi 6. Liam, 7. James, 8. Finn, 9. Luca, 10. Milan.
Girls: 1. Julia, 2. Mila, 3. Emma, 4. Nora, 5. Olivia, 6. Sophie, 7. Tess, 8. Milou, 9. Zoë, 10. Yara.