Frisian Names

Frisian names belong to the Frisian language tradition. This collection contains 20 Frisian names with their meanings, cultural backgrounds, and pronunciation guides. You'll find 18 names traditionally given to boys and 2 names for girls, reflecting naming patterns from regions where Frisian is spoken. These names carry the linguistic heritage and cultural values of Frisian-speaking communities. Common themes include love, new, showing what Frisian cultures have valued across generations.

20 total names
18 boy names
2 girl names

Bone

Frisian short form of Old Frisian names beginning with “Bon-“, from the Old Frisian “bon / ban(n)”, meaning “command, proclamation”.

Boy

Suno

This name derives from the Old Frisian “*Sunika,” which in turn derives from Old High German “sunu,” from the Proto-Germanic “*sunuz,” meaning “little boy, son of.” The name is spread in Germany, mainly in the north.

Boy

Leve

The origin of this name is still today quite uncertain. The theories include: 1) Probably from “Leeuw” Dutch for lion. It occurs as a surname, most commonly in the form of De Leeuw, which has a distinct origin in Leeuwen's small town and perhaps in the city of Leuven. 2) From the Ancient Germanic “*leubha-,” meaning “dear, friendly, beloved.”

Boy

Levke

The origin of this name is still today quite uncertain. The theories include: 1) Probably from “Leeuw” Dutch for lion. It occurs as a surname, most commonly in the form of De Leeuw, which has a distinct origin in Leeuwen's small town and perhaps in the city of Leuven. 2) From the Ancient Germanic “*leubha-,” meaning “dear, friendly, beloved.”

Girl

Bonno

Frisian short form of Old Frisian names beginning with “Bon-“, from the Old Frisian “bon / ban(n)”, meaning “command, proclamation”.

Boy

Bonne

Frisian short form of Old Frisian names beginning with “Bon-“, from the Old Frisian “bon / ban(n)”, meaning “command, proclamation”.

Boy

Sunke

This name derives from the Old Frisian “*Sunika,” which in turn derives from Old High German “sunu,” from the Proto-Germanic “*sunuz,” meaning “little boy, son of.” The name is spread in Germany, mainly in the north.

Boy

Sönke

This name derives from the Old Frisian “*Sunika,” which in turn derives from Old High German “sunu,” from the Proto-Germanic “*sunuz,” meaning “little boy, son of.” The name is spread in Germany, mainly in the north.

Boy

Sønnik

This name derives from the Old Frisian “*Sunika,” which in turn derives from Old High German “sunu,” from the Proto-Germanic “*sunuz,” meaning “little boy, son of.” The name is spread in Germany, mainly in the north.

Boy

Söntge

This name derives from the Old Frisian “*Sunika,” which in turn derives from Old High German “sunu,” from the Proto-Germanic “*sunuz,” meaning “little boy, son of.” The name is spread in Germany, mainly in the north.

Boy

Bonnik

Frisian short form of Old Frisian names beginning with “Bon-“, from the Old Frisian “bon / ban(n)”, meaning “command, proclamation”.

Boy

Leeuwe

The origin of this name is still today quite uncertain. The theories include: 1) Probably from “Leeuw” Dutch for lion. It occurs as a surname, most commonly in the form of De Leeuw, which has a distinct origin in Leeuwen's small town and perhaps in the city of Leuven. 2) From the Ancient Germanic “*leubha-,” meaning “dear, friendly, beloved.”

Boy

Söncke

This name derives from the Old Frisian “*Sunika,” which in turn derives from Old High German “sunu,” from the Proto-Germanic “*sunuz,” meaning “little boy, son of.” The name is spread in Germany, mainly in the north.

Boy

Söntke

This name derives from the Old Frisian “*Sunika,” which in turn derives from Old High German “sunu,” from the Proto-Germanic “*sunuz,” meaning “little boy, son of.” The name is spread in Germany, mainly in the north.

Boy

Leefke

The origin of this name is still today quite uncertain. The theories include: 1) Probably from “Leeuw” Dutch for lion. It occurs as a surname, most commonly in the form of De Leeuw, which has a distinct origin in Leeuwen's small town and perhaps in the city of Leuven. 2) From the Ancient Germanic “*leubha-,” meaning “dear, friendly, beloved.”

Girl

Söhnke

This name derives from the Old Frisian “*Sunika,” which in turn derives from Old High German “sunu,” from the Proto-Germanic “*sunuz,” meaning “little boy, son of.” The name is spread in Germany, mainly in the north.

Boy

Süncke

This name derives from the Old Frisian “*Sunika,” which in turn derives from Old High German “sunu,” from the Proto-Germanic “*sunuz,” meaning “little boy, son of.” The name is spread in Germany, mainly in the north.

Boy

Sönnick

This name derives from the Old Frisian “*Sunika,” which in turn derives from Old High German “sunu,” from the Proto-Germanic “*sunuz,” meaning “little boy, son of.” The name is spread in Germany, mainly in the north.

Boy

Sönnich

This name derives from the Old Frisian “*Sunika,” which in turn derives from Old High German “sunu,” from the Proto-Germanic “*sunuz,” meaning “little boy, son of.” The name is spread in Germany, mainly in the north.

Boy

Sünke

This name derives from the Old Frisian “*Sunika,” which in turn derives from Old High German “sunu,” from the Proto-Germanic “*sunuz,” meaning “little boy, son of.” The name is spread in Germany, mainly in the north.

Boy

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Popular Themes in Frisian Names

Related Origins

History of Frisian Names

Frisian names developed within the Frisian language tradition. The naming traditions from regions where Frisian is spoken have evolved over centuries, shaped by migration, trade, religion, and cultural exchange. Today's Frisian names carry this history.

Frisian naming traditions reflect the values and beliefs of regions where Frisian is spoken. Names served multiple purposes: identifying individuals, honoring ancestors, expressing hopes for a child's future, and marking religious or cultural affiliation. These functions shaped which names became popular and how they were used.

Today, Frisian names appear far beyond regions where Frisian is spoken. Immigration, global media, and cultural exchange have made many Frisian names familiar worldwide. Parents choose these names to honor heritage, appreciate their meanings, or simply because they like how they sound. The 20 names in this collection range from ancient choices still popular today to names that have fallen out of use but retain historical interest.

Frisian Naming Traditions

Frisian naming traditions have developed their own patterns and preferences. Names may honor family members, reflect religious beliefs, describe hoped-for qualities, or commemorate significant events. These patterns explain which names stayed popular.

These traditional patterns still matter, but modern parents also mix things up. Some combine traditional and contemporary elements, pick names from other cultures, or create unique variations of classic names.

Gender Distribution

20
Total Names
18
Boy Names (90%)
2
Girl Names (10%)

This collection breaks down to 90% masculine names (18) and 10% feminine names (2).

How to Pronounce Frisian Names

Frisian names follow the phonetic rules of their language of origin. English speakers may need to adjust their pronunciation for sounds that don't exist in English. Each name page includes a pronunciation guide to help.

When in doubt about pronunciation, listening to native speakers helps more than reading transliterations. Each name page has a pronunciation guide. If you're considering a Frisian name for your child, say it out loud and think about how others in your community will pronounce it.

Frisian Names Today

The 20 Frisian names in this collection offer choices ranging from familiar options to rare discoveries. Each carries cultural meaning from regions where Frisian is spoken.

Frisian names for boys outnumber those for girls at roughly 9.0:1 in our database. This reflects historical naming patterns, though modern naming trends are shifting.

Current naming trends show renewed interest in heritage names, with parents seeking meaningful connections to cultural roots. Some Frisian names have crossed over to mainstream use, while others remain specific to Frisian-speaking communities.

Frequently Asked Questions About Frisian Names

What are popular Frisian names for boys?

Popular Frisian names for boys include Bone, Suno, Leve, Levke, Bonno. Our database contains 18 Frisian names traditionally given to boys, ranging from classic choices to unique options.

What are popular Frisian names for girls?

Our collection includes 2 Frisian names for girls. Popular choices blend traditional sounds with meaningful origins. Use the feminine tab to explore options organized by popularity.

What do Frisian names typically mean?

Frisian names carry meanings from the Frisian language tradition. Common themes in Frisian names include love, new. Each name in our database includes its specific meaning and cultural context.

How do you pronounce Frisian names?

Frisian names follow the phonetic rules of their language. Each name page includes a pronunciation guide. When uncertain, listening to native speakers provides the most accurate reference.

How many Frisian names are there?

This database contains 20 Frisian names: 18 for boys and 2 for girls. This represents documented names that have been used historically or are in current use. The actual number of Frisian names ever used is certainly higher.

Are Frisian names hard to spell?

Spelling difficulty depends on the specific name and your familiarity with Frisian phonetics. Some Frisian names have been adapted to English spelling conventions, making them straightforward. Others retain original spellings that may be unfamiliar. Consider how important easy spelling is to you when choosing a name.