Belgium Naming Customs

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Belgium

Personal Names

Understanding customs used in surnames and given names can help you identify your ancestors in records. Learn to recognize name variations and see clues in names.

Online Tools

• Behind the Name: Flemish Surnames
• Behind the Name: Flemish Given Names
• Behind the Name: Dutch Surnames
• Behind the Name: Dutch Given Names
• Behind the Name: French Surnames
• Behind the Name: French Given Names
• Behind the Name: German Surnames
• Behind the Name: German Given Names

Languages of Belgium

Belgium is home to two main linguistic groups or communities: the Dutch-speaking Flemish Community, which constitutes about 60 percent of the population, and the French-speaking Community, which constitutes about 40 percent of the population. A small German-speaking Community, numbering around one percent, exists in the East Cantons.

Find the Personal Names article for the language used by your ancestors:

• Netherlands Personal Names
• France Personal Names
• Germany Personal Names