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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Hendrika

29 replies

edgeware · 16/11/2023 11:39

My lovely grandmother was called Hendrika. Everyone called her Rietje (Ree - tche). There is no name in the world that you make from this that you could saddle a baby girl with, is there?

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StamppotAndGravy · 21/11/2023 09:34

I like it! It's got loads of potential for nick names in both languages Hen, Henny, Hendy, Rika, Rita, Rikje, Henje, Kika, Kiki. Even plays on old fashioned male names like Heina, Heintje, Henkje, Drissje. I've not met any Dutch baby Hendrika's yet, they're all called Nora round here.

Flidina · 21/11/2023 07:08

Really like the name Hendricka, and you could always shorten it, as in a nickname.

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 21/11/2023 07:02

No heard Hendrika before but actually really quite like it.

junbean · 21/11/2023 04:38

I think it's lovely. Reminds me of Henrietta, which is also the name of a town in Texas I used to drive through a lot. It sounds very strong and wild, yet feminine too, in the best way.

user1492757084 · 21/11/2023 04:30

A surprise twin! How amazing for the family.
I love the name as it is Hendrika and also the nick names are all interesting, smart and acceptable.
I also like Henrika.

LilyLemonade · 20/11/2023 20:46

I like it, it’s a very solid name so a counterpoint to the very cutesy names that have been in fashion in recent years. But I can’t judge of course how it would sound to Dutch ears. Rietje sounds nice.

Einevinefine · 20/11/2023 19:11

Love it!

PastorCarrBonarra · 20/11/2023 19:09

Another thumbs up from me!

O0oO0o · 20/11/2023 18:12

I like it too.

timoteigirl · 20/11/2023 15:03

Go for it!

OwlBasket · 19/11/2023 16:26

@edgeware it’s fab. I live in NL and have met a couple of little Hendrikjes recently. A lot of that sort of names seem to be coming back! It’s not like calling her Miep or Jannie.

user628468523532453 · 19/11/2023 16:06

Rika is nice. Just give her the name you plan to call her.

LadyMcLadyface · 19/11/2023 16:01

It's lovely, I'd give her the proper name and use nickname Rika.

Original poster
edgeware · 19/11/2023 15:46

@UnbreakMyFart HenDREEka.

Glad so many people like the name. I think I find it hard to seperate it from the Dutch connotations, it’s a very old fashioned name in Dutch. My grandmother herself didn’t even like it, hence why she made everyone call her Rietje!

OP posts:
Caspianberg · 18/11/2023 15:26

I love it.

I would probably use:
Rika as a standalone name
or
Henrietta - Etta, Henri, Hattie, Hattie

Rika is really nice actually. Easy to pronounce, unusual in uk but not bizarre.

UnbreakMyFart · 18/11/2023 15:22

Hendrika feels a bit lumpen to me, but I love Henny as a NN. Which syllable is emphasised?

SkaneTos · 18/11/2023 15:12

I think Hendrika is a lovely name! Really pretty.

peaceinourtime · 17/11/2023 09:42

I think it’s nice name

theduchessofspork · 17/11/2023 02:02

It’s just a form of Henrietta / Harriet. As Hendrik is a form of Henry.

I know a Henrietta who is known as Rita day to day, which is just the English language version of your granny’s name.

So either the Dutch or the English forms really - with short forms Rita/Rika, Etta, Hennie, Hatty, Harrie, depending what you go for

ZinniaB · 16/11/2023 19:42

I love it. I love classic Dutch names, it’s so refreshing, it’s sweet on a little girl sophisticated on a woman, it has lovely family meaning etc etc. She could be Hen, Hettie, Dree, Rika etc

Original poster
edgeware · 16/11/2023 14:32

@NoraLuka it’s Dutch, to be honest I think it’s just a female version of Hendrik. My grandmother was a surprise twin, I think they just thought let’s just call her after her dad and call it a day!

OP posts:
CloverHilla · 16/11/2023 12:12

I think they're lovely, meaningful, if slightly unusual names.
I like the name Rika, which is less of a mouthful for a child and feels a bit more modern.

Go with what you want though!

Olika · 16/11/2023 12:12

Never heard this name before but I really like it.

toastofthetown · 16/11/2023 12:10

I used to know a Henny. I was never sure if it was short for something or a full name. I think Hendrika would be fine as a middle name. I actually think it would be fine as a first name too, but not if you really don’t like it.

NoraLuka · 16/11/2023 12:10

I never heard this name before but I think it sounds nice.

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