Top Baby Names in Belgium

Hallo, lezers!

After a rather long and unintended hiatus, I'm back to posting articles on global names. Today, we'll be looking at the top baby names in Belgium (specifically Flanders). This is the Dutch region of the country, home to Brussels and Antwerp. They're also known for their chocolate!

I'll be looking at seven names from each gender that are popular in Belgium (in the top 50) but uncommon in the United States. I'm taking my data from Baby Name Wizard's lists - for Belgian boys and Belgian girls. This data is from 2014. 

Laten we gaan!

Female Names

Noor 

Meaning "light" in Arabic, Noor has begun to find favor among American parents - it reached the top 1000 for the first time last year. It's been most common in Muslim families, but its similarity to Nora and Eleanor make it even more desirable for all types. 

Manon 

While it's long been a popular choice among French speakers, Americans haven't followed suit - the most Manon's born in the US at one time were twenty-six girls each year during 1999 and 2000. Still, this diminutive of Marie is soft and friendly, a pretty alternative to Madison or Madeline. 

Lotte 

Though Charlie has taken off for girls in the states, Lotte hasn't - the foreign pronunciations of LAH-tah, LAH-teh, or LAH-tee can be difficult for native English speakers. Parents worried about Charlotte's popularity may take the plunge, while Lottie is another adorable option. 

Aya 

This name can be found in languages all over the globe, from Japanese to Arabic to Hebrew to Dutch. It takes the current vowel trend to a new level, but its subdued sound makes it more sophisticated than faddish. Aya currently ranks at #36 in Belgium and #886 in the US. 

Fien

Originally a nickname for Jozefien, this short form has now surpassed the longer classic. Though it may raise some eyebrows, it could work well as a feminine alternative to Finn. In the US, Josephine and Josie are the more common variations. 

Anaïs 

Another French choice, Anaïs has ranked on the top 1000 a few times over the past few decades. It comes from the name Anne, meaning "grace," and there are a few notable namesakes with the moniker - author Anaïs Nin and musician Anaïs Mitchell among them. 

Ines 

Ranking in eight different European countries, this variation of Agnes is especially popular due to its association with a Spanish love story. Pronounced "AYE-ness" or "EE-ness," it's short, elegant, and traditional without being overused. 

Male Names

Mathis 
Alternatives to Biblical favorite Matthew are on the rise everywhere - from Mateo to Mathias to Matt. This French version is pronounced like the artist Matisse, though many Americans may sooner connect the name to mid-century singer Johnny Mathis.

Maxime 
Looking for an unusual longer name with the nickname Max? Maxime is one uncommon choice, though it may be confused with the feminine Maxine. Still, it's been slowly increasing in popularity: thirty-eight baby Maxime's were born last year.

Seppe
Though it's never been recorded in the United States, it's already at #25 in Belgium. Seppe is originally a short form of Giuseppe or Joseph, and is pronounced "SEP-pah." I'm interested to see how it will take off in the US - there's a great discussion about it on this Nameberry forum!

Stan 
While Stanley has been on the decline for a few decades, bright and friendly Stan may still find an audience. With short boys' names like Sam and Jack on trend, Stan could definitely fit in on the playground while maintaining its retro air.

Wout
Pronounced "Vowt" or "Wowt," this Dutch nicknamed for Wouter (Walter) may have a hard time in the United States. On the other hand, it's close enough to Wyatt to merit a mention! Walter itself has been on the rise in the US as well - thanks, Breaking Bad?

Timeo
Are you a fan of Mateo, but looking for something less common? Timeo may be right up your alley! It comes from a Greek name meaning "honor," and could honor a familial Timothy. It's also related to the Disney favorite Timon and can be found in Shakespeare.

Yanis 
Another Greek choice, Yanis is actually a relative of John, meaning "gift of God." It's got a unique sound and form, setting it apart from most trends. Yanis was given to twenty-nine boys in the United States last year - and six girls.

Tell me your favorites in the comments!

Top Baby Names in Germany

Guten Morgen, Lesern!

Here's the fourth installment of my global names series! These are some of the most popular names in Germany (as of 2014). All of them are outside of the top 250 in the US - and some aren't even on the US list at all!

I'll include the English or other known equivalents next to the names for clarification.

Female names

Lena/Lina
This name - with two spellings in the top 20 - is originally a diminutive of a bunch of other names: Carolina, Helena, Evangelina. Celebrity Lena Dunham of Girls might have brought this to the US, but it's still only at #279. Both names could make great alternatives to popular Lily or Leah, and the cross-cultural factor is a definite plus!

Leonie
With Leo getting popular for boys, why not let the girls have a turn with this lion of a name? The cute -ie ending makes the name friendly, but it's still very unique - only 28 Leonie's were born in the US last year. Check out similar names Lottie, Peony, or Fiona if you like the sound!

Luisa/Louisa
A favorite song of mine growing up was "I Love Louisa", sung by Fred Astaire in The Band Wagon. And as Louisa makes its first appearance on the US top 1000 since 1969, there seem to be a few parents out there who love Louisa too! It means "renowned warrior", has the cute nickname Lou, and could honor a familial Louis or Louise.

Johanna
Another name that has a great musical number equivalent - "Johanna", from Sweeney Todd - this name feels like a timeless classic. Meaning "God is gracious", the lovely -anna ending fits in with modern trends but keeps its vintage appeal. There are tons of great namesake Johanna's too!

Nele/Neele - Cornelia
Pronounced "NEE-lee" or "NEE-leh", this cute diminutive doesn't have too many sound-alike equivalents - Nellie, maybe? It works on its own, but Cornelia might be too elegant of a retro name to pass up. It could also work as a great honorific for a Neil or Cornelius.

Male names

Jonas - Jonah
Number 5 in Germany, but number 500 in the US - perhaps popular Jonah has drawn the attention away from Jonas? In any case, Jonas also means "dove", has a great ends-in-s sound, and was the name of the main character in one of my favorite children's books, The Giver. A great find!

Felix
For so many years, the association with the eponymous cat kept Felix from reaching stardom. And now as it moves up the list, let's focus on its positive attributes! The cool x-ending, dozens of namesakes, and lovely meaning - "lucky, fortunate" - will probably help it move higher. Spanish variation Feliziano is also a great option.

Moritz - Maurice
More accessible than Fritz but cooler than Morris, Moritz is a fantastic option that will stand out in a crowd. It means "dark-skinned", and there are a lot of Saint Moritz's in history. Retro nickname Morrie or preppy nickname Ritz would be cute as well!

Emil 
Take away the Y from one of the most popular girls' names and you get an uber-cool boy's name. Like Emily, it means "rival" and has a lot of international appeal. Other variations include Emile and Emilio - let the boys have a turn!

Philipp - Philip or Phillip
This name allows you to mix and match the L's and P's however you like! Philipp means "lover of horses", and would be way cute for a ranch baby. Nickname Phil is a little dated, so try Pip or Flip. And of course, Philippa and Pippa are getting popular on the other list!

Which are your faves? Any great German names I left out? Tell me in the comments!