What's in Dutch's Name?

Yuhendra
Having a single name has never been as complicated as I thought after my coming in Holland. When I began dealing with filling-in-forms bureaucracy, I had to be ready with the same some answers; "It is a normal way for Indonesian parents in naming their children by one name", eventhough I know it doesn't answer their curiosity. And yet, it is still not as easy as such answer for I have to agree to the system by which the Dutch are named. Once I went to a bank to open my bank account, I had to say "yes" when the bank staff put initial "Y" in front of my name, with one simply reason, the computer was programized for Dutch name system which consists two names; first name and family name.

Talking about the Dutch's name would have never been interesting to me if an International Office staff didn't tell me that Dutch name has its own history. The way Dutch gives name has begun since early 18th century. They have voornaam for first name and achternaam for last name or family name.

Despite the history, I found Dutch name is quiet unique (to avoid the word funny) meaning. I don't mean to make a mock or payback because they consider I have strange name, but anyway it remains intriguing for me to know more about their names. Take for an example; Hans van Amsterdam which means Hans who is originally from Amsterdam. He probably got the name because his ancestors moved from Amsterdam to other cities and consider the name of his hometown would probably good and distinguishing for being a name. Well, such a name could still be accepted for me. But, there is a hilarious achternaam; naahtgeboren which means you were naked when you were born. Of course everybody is naked when they are born, aren't they? There are also some last names which force me to smile. There are also names Doosje which means box, or schoen which means shoes, or Potlood which means pencil. I can hardly think what my name would sound like if there is a pencil after it. "Yuhendra Pencil" that must be a great joke for my friends.

So, if Shakespeare onced asked "what's in a name?" Dutch must have perfect answers. They got some tools in their names. Anyhow, it is great to have meaning in their names, while I don't have any.

Photo by; yuhendra