Frisians are the inhabitants of Frisia, an area located on the Northern coast of Germany and the Netherlands. There might not be a significant number of Frisian speakers, 500,000 to be precise, yet Frisian is a recognized language in Europe.
Being different from most of the European language, traditional Frisian names are distinctive. But since a majority of Frisians is now living in the Dutch portion of Frisia, we’re seeing an influx of Frisian baby names as well.
Until the 19th century, Patronymics were customary in Frisia, which means the child had to use his father’s name as his second or last name. This led to a change in the family name with every generation. It was in the first half of the 19th century that Napoleon passed a law for permanent Frisian surnames or family names. But after the cease of the French reign, the Frisians returned to their patronymic naming system, except a few. Again, in 1829, Hanover’s royal government decreed the usage of permanent family names. Present Frisians continue to follow this convention.
Below is MomJunction's thorough list of Frisian baby names, both contemporary and traditional, along with their meanings.
NAMES | MEANING | GENDER | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bram | One who is the father of many children | Boy | |||
Daan | God is a judge | Boy | |||
Emma | the meaning of this name is universal whole. | Girl | |||
Eva | life or living one. | Girl | |||
Evi | One who breathes and lives | Girl | |||
Finn | A 'fair' or 'white' person | Boy | |||
Jesse | Wealthy | Boy | |||
Julia | Latin - Jupiter's Child; Julia is Youthful, Downy | Girl | |||
Levi | Person who is attached or pleadged | Boy | |||
Lucas | One who gives light | Boy | |||
Luuk | From Loukas, means a person from Lucania | Boy | |||
Mila | A Gracious or a beautiful dear | Girl | |||
Milan | In Hindi it means the unison. In Slavic it means Gracious, kind person | Boy | |||
Noah | Relaxation, restful, harmony, calm. | Unisex | |||
Sara | Princess | Girl | |||
Sem | A son of Noah | Boy | |||
Sophie | She is wise and clever | Girl | |||
Tess | Harvester | Girl | |||
Zoe | Life | Girl | |||
Afke | Appears in Friesland | Girl | |||
Alette | Frisian form of Adelheid, meaning noble. | Girl | |||
Andine | Warrior | Girl | |||
Anna | Name of a King; Food; Grain; Earth and Water; God | Boy | |||
Anske | Eagle | Girl | |||
Antina | He (God) was gracious | Girl | |||
Antine | A form of Antina, meaning He (God) was gracious. | Girl | |||
Aukje | Elf | Girl | |||
Bodee | He who is God's messenger | Boy | |||
Botha | Messenger | Boy | |||
Botho | A form of Botha, meaning messenger | Boy | |||
Diethard | He who is brave and courageous | Boy | |||
Dieuwe | People | Boy | |||
Dieuwke | People | Girl | |||
Duko | Duko is derived from Doede, meaning a famous wolf. | Boy | |||
Ede | A noble and kind hearted individual | Girl | |||
Eibe | Shining sword | Boy | |||
Eitel | Shining sword | Boy | |||
Eltje | Of noble kind | Girl | |||
Ene | an eagle; in Frisian it is masculine but in Estonian it is feminine. | Unisex | |||
Ese | a Frisian word meaning god. | Boy | |||
Esegar | a word used for referring to God. | Boy | |||
Famke | Little girl | Girl | |||
Fedde | Peace | Boy | |||
Fenja | Peace, protection, safety | Girl | |||
Fenne | A form of Fenja, meaning peace and protection | Girl | |||
Fenneke | Peace, protection, safety | Girl | |||
Fiete | Frisian form of Frederick, meaning peace. | Boy | |||
Fokko | Folk, war band | Boy | |||
Friso | Frisian | Boy | |||
Gerit | Frisian variation of Gerhard, meaning strong spear | Boy | |||