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Help[Facts] Re: Why are so many biblical names rarely used in continental Europe, unlike English-speaking countries?
in reply to a message by WilhelmReichelt
Possibly your looking at the wrong names? Many biblical names have been used in The Netherlands but you might not recognise them as such. Jan and Piet are incredibly common names, but are you recognising them as Biblical names? If you look at the top 10 for boys for The Netherlands, more than half are biblical...
In general, currently what The Netherlands doesn't really do is syllable surplusses. Levi and Adam are really common, but Jeremias and Jonathan are not. Just like for every Sarah you can find a Saar and boys named Sam for outnumber the ones named Samuel. Giving your child a name you don't plan on using is bordering on ridiculous, so no Jeremiah "Jerry", but just Jerry as a full name is used.
Having said that another thing to consider is that we'll over half of the Dutch people are not considering themselves to be religious. (And fun fact apparently even 8% of Catholics do not believe a god exists) For me, having a name be very biblical is a strike against it rather than a upside when choosing a name for a child. Religious vibes makes me think people might assume my child is from the "bible belt" or we are religious. Not that a name would be put completely, but it's definitely not an added bonus. I'm pretty sure most Levi's in our country are not names because the name is in the bible, but chosen for the sound.
Another thing is that I, as a Dutch person, consider Jonathan or Nathan more of a German / Flemish name. I'm not altogether sure where you get the idea those names aren't used.
In general, currently what The Netherlands doesn't really do is syllable surplusses. Levi and Adam are really common, but Jeremias and Jonathan are not. Just like for every Sarah you can find a Saar and boys named Sam for outnumber the ones named Samuel. Giving your child a name you don't plan on using is bordering on ridiculous, so no Jeremiah "Jerry", but just Jerry as a full name is used.
Having said that another thing to consider is that we'll over half of the Dutch people are not considering themselves to be religious. (And fun fact apparently even 8% of Catholics do not believe a god exists) For me, having a name be very biblical is a strike against it rather than a upside when choosing a name for a child. Religious vibes makes me think people might assume my child is from the "bible belt" or we are religious. Not that a name would be put completely, but it's definitely not an added bonus. I'm pretty sure most Levi's in our country are not names because the name is in the bible, but chosen for the sound.
Another thing is that I, as a Dutch person, consider Jonathan or Nathan more of a German / Flemish name. I'm not altogether sure where you get the idea those names aren't used.
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