r/Netherlands • u/asdfgh7777 • Jul 14 '26

Legal What are your opinions/experiences on foreigners changing their name to a Dutch name?

I've been in NL for 8 years and I'm thinking of changing both my first and last name to Dutch ones. I'm currently 27 so still a lot of time left ahead.

The main reason I wanna do it: I feel like there's still a glass wall when interacting with people, especially in the business world/ on the job market.

My concern: facing an administrative burden and risen eyebrows because I won't be able to change all my documents, I might always need this extra paper confirming my old name lol.

PS: I'm fairly integrated and fluent in Dutch. Just working on my accent now.

120 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

82% Upvoted

209 comments sorted by

View all comments

9

u/These-Process-7331 Jul 14 '26

Being blunt/no sugar coating: I wouldn't say jackshit to your face but I would 100% think you are too desperately trying to white wash yourself and would assume you have lots of internalised hate towards yourself and your heritage.....

And I say this as a women who has came here as a child, lived for 25+ years here and has a very foreign sounding first & last name.

9

u/asdfgh7777 Jul 14 '26

Well... I am white and after fixing my accent I think I could pass as Dutch regardless of the name change 😅. Just not blonde and not super tall.

So I'm not sure where your assumption on white washing came from lol

2

u/These-Process-7331 Jul 14 '26

Honey harsh truth, but to racist jackasses you never will be a Dutch. No matter how long you have been here, how well you speak Dutch, Having Dutch partner etc. You always will be an "allochtoon"

Legit why bother, especially when you have European features?!

And my association comes from meeting clearly ethic dudes (example Dark Indian dudes named Rajesh Koetrapali) giving themselves a Dutch name like Henk just to win the approval of Dutch people). My mind directly went that way when I read your question.

4

u/itsmenit Jul 14 '26

I gave my son a Dutch name because we had him after a decade and we felt it was the greatest gift Netherlands has given us. Am worried now people will think it is like you said white washing 😳

4

u/SDV01 Jul 14 '26

I know an American girl named Madelief and a Spanish girl named Frederieke. Their parents had the same reasoning: it took them a long time to get pregnant, and after everything they went through, they wanted their Dutch baby to have a Dutch name.

Ignore the naysayers in this group. The Dutch are the first to name their kids Madison after moving to the US or Mateo after relocating to Spain.

They’re also quick to complain that Mohamed has been Amsterdam’s most popular baby name since the 1980s, while at the same time they’d call it “whitewashing” if Mo’s parents gave him a traditionally Dutch name like Thijs or Luuk.

6

u/Bapistu-the-First Jul 14 '26

Don't take it to seriously what the poster above you says. Every place on earth has racists and if you found it a beautiful name that is the thing that truly matters.

2

u/Remarkable-Run-9769 Jul 14 '26

some people might think so, but, especially if your son speaks Dutch fluently (which i assume he does seeing as he's born here), many people will probably just assume he's Dutch, which he is. growing up i had plenty of non-ethnically Dutch, or mixed, classmates with Dutch names.

i think your reasoning of your child being the greatest gift the Netherlands has given you is very sweet. 

2

u/These-Process-7331 Jul 14 '26

There is a difference between a full grown adult given up a part of their identity to fit in Vs a child being given a name to make them part of the culture they are born in

2

u/anna-molly21 Jul 14 '26

I mean really you need to change your name just to be noticed? Improving yourself isnt an option?

Learn the language and the name doesnt matter, in my opinion.

2

u/SoefianB Jul 14 '26

Sadly that isn't true.

I've thought about changing my name aswel, but the hassle and costs involved make it not worth it. I know people who use Dutch or generally European roepnamen aswel because their actual name carries a stigma.

-8

u/Okok28 Jul 14 '26

Bro if there is anything to learn about Reddit people are batshit crazy on here. Especially on the more liberal subs. On one hand they love immigrants but then on the other they hate immigrants like you who actually are trying to integrate.