People from the Netherlands are called Dutch in English.

Quick Scoop: The Name Explained

Short answer

  • Demonym (what the people are called): Dutch.
  • Country: the Netherlands (not “Netherland”).
  • In their own language, people from the Netherlands call themselves Nederlanders.

Why “Dutch” and not “Netherlander”?

  • “Dutch” is related to the old Germanic word for “the people,” and is connected to the same root as German Deutsch.
  • Historically, English speakers used similar words for both German and Dutch people; over time, “German” stuck for Germany and “Dutch” stuck for the Netherlands.

Holland vs. the Netherlands

  • The Netherlands is the full country; Holland is technically just a region within it (North and South Holland), though many people casually say “Holland” when they mean the whole country.
  • People from Holland are also Dutch, but not all Dutch people are from Holland.

Mini FAQ

Are “Netherlanders” or “Hollanders” ever used?

  • In formal English, “Netherlander” exists but is rare; “Dutch” is overwhelmingly preferred.
  • “Hollander” is used mainly for someone specifically from the Holland region, not as the general term for all citizens of the Netherlands.

TL;DR: If you’re asking “what are people from the Netherlands called?” the natural, correct everyday answer in English is: they’re called Dutch.

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