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ArchivesDutch nicknames question
I'd love some input from Dutch-speakers on this one. I need to confirm some nicknames in the book I'm publishing soon, just to be absolutely sure there are no inadvertent inaccuracies.
I know Jaap and Jaapje are nickname forms of Jakob, but is Jaapetje also used as a superdiminutive form?
Is Brammetje a nickname form for Bram?
Would Emmetje be used for Emilia?
I've seen the nickname Floortje for Floor, but also wanted to double-check just in case. It got pretty confusing keeping track of which diminutive endings are used depending on a name or word's final letter or syllable.
The other nickname forms I've used are ones I know are legit, like Dries for Andries, Gusta for Augusta, Kees for Cornelius, Elma for Anselma, Sander for Alexander, Urseltje for Ursula, Gepje for Rachel, and Ruud for Rudolf.
Also, what would the nicknames be for Leendert, Govert, and Jeronymus? (I know Jeronymus is a bit of an old-fashioned name, but it suits him better than the modern form Jeroen.)
I know Jaap and Jaapje are nickname forms of Jakob, but is Jaapetje also used as a superdiminutive form?
Is Brammetje a nickname form for Bram?
Would Emmetje be used for Emilia?
I've seen the nickname Floortje for Floor, but also wanted to double-check just in case. It got pretty confusing keeping track of which diminutive endings are used depending on a name or word's final letter or syllable.
The other nickname forms I've used are ones I know are legit, like Dries for Andries, Gusta for Augusta, Kees for Cornelius, Elma for Anselma, Sander for Alexander, Urseltje for Ursula, Gepje for Rachel, and Ruud for Rudolf.
Also, what would the nicknames be for Leendert, Govert, and Jeronymus? (I know Jeronymus is a bit of an old-fashioned name, but it suits him better than the modern form Jeroen.)
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Replies
I'm Dutch! I'm glad to help :)
- I know Jaap and Jaapje are nickname forms of Jakob, but is Jaapetje also used as a superdiminutive form?
Superdiminutive sounds like a good term for it. I think only a mother would use it on a young child, or a spouse (endearingly). I've not heard it much, though.
- Is Brammetje a nickname form for Bram?
Yes. Again, this wouldn't be used by his friends (maybe teasingly), more by people like his (grand)parents, siblings, maybe his girl-/boyfriend.
- Would Emmetje be used for Emilia?
It's possible for a young child. I have a friend called Emma and I call her Em usually.
- I've seen the nickname Floortje for Floor, but also wanted to double-check just in case. It got pretty confusing keeping track of which diminutive endings are used depending on a name or word's final letter or syllable.
Floortje is the correct nickname for Floor (my sister's name, by the way). Yeah, diminutives are hard in Dutch. Dutch is a nasty, confusing language in general, very hard to learn if you haven't grown up with it.
- Also, what would the nicknames be for Leendert, Govert, and Jeronymus? (I know Jeronymus is a bit of an old-fashioned name, but it suits him better than the modern form Jeroen.)
Jeronymus might be Jerry/Jerrie. I have no idea for the other two, because nicknames aren't as big in the Netherlands as in other countries - most nicknames are meant for children, we don't have many nicknames like Matt or Kate, etc. Leendert and Govert would be called by their full names, I suppose.
If you have any other questions, feel free to ask me!
- I know Jaap and Jaapje are nickname forms of Jakob, but is Jaapetje also used as a superdiminutive form?
Superdiminutive sounds like a good term for it. I think only a mother would use it on a young child, or a spouse (endearingly). I've not heard it much, though.
- Is Brammetje a nickname form for Bram?
Yes. Again, this wouldn't be used by his friends (maybe teasingly), more by people like his (grand)parents, siblings, maybe his girl-/boyfriend.
- Would Emmetje be used for Emilia?
It's possible for a young child. I have a friend called Emma and I call her Em usually.
- I've seen the nickname Floortje for Floor, but also wanted to double-check just in case. It got pretty confusing keeping track of which diminutive endings are used depending on a name or word's final letter or syllable.
Floortje is the correct nickname for Floor (my sister's name, by the way). Yeah, diminutives are hard in Dutch. Dutch is a nasty, confusing language in general, very hard to learn if you haven't grown up with it.
- Also, what would the nicknames be for Leendert, Govert, and Jeronymus? (I know Jeronymus is a bit of an old-fashioned name, but it suits him better than the modern form Jeroen.)
Jeronymus might be Jerry/Jerrie. I have no idea for the other two, because nicknames aren't as big in the Netherlands as in other countries - most nicknames are meant for children, we don't have many nicknames like Matt or Kate, etc. Leendert and Govert would be called by their full names, I suppose.
If you have any other questions, feel free to ask me!
1
They can be used, though Bernie/Bern/Bernt/Bernd seem more logical to me.
1