Eefje is a feminine Dutch given name, derived as a Diminutive of Eef. The latter is itself a short form of names beginning with Ev, such as Eva or Evert. Etymology and Roots Ultimately, Eefje traces back to Eve, the biblical first woman. The form Eva (used in the Latin New Testament) has been widely adopted across Europe, including in the Netherlands. The suffix -je is a common Dutch diminutive ending, giving Eefje an endearing or affectionate connotation. The name is thus a classic example of Dutch onomastic practice, where diminutives are frequently used as standalone given names. Cultural Significance and Notable Bearers Eefje is most prominent in the Netherlands and Dutch-speaking regions. Notable bearers include: Eefje Boons (born 1994), a Dutch hurdler; Eefje Depoortere (born 1987), known as Sjokz, a Belgian television presenter and esports player; Eefje Muskens (born 1989), a Dutch badminton player; and Eefje de Visser (born 1986), a Dutch singer-songwriter. One tragic association is Eefje Lambrecks, a victim of the serial killer Marc Dutroux. Additionally, the minor planet 8289 An-Eefje is named after the singer Anouk van Vugt who played a character named Eefje on a Dutch TV series, further embedding the name in modern culture. Related Forms Eefje is connected to variants across languages, such as Hawa (Swahili), Hawwa (Dhivehi), Eva (Swedish), Yeva (Ukrainian), Həvva (Azerbaijani), and Eve (Estonian). Bearers of the name are almost exclusively found in the Netherlands and Belgium. Meaning: Diminutive of Eef, ultimately tracing to Eve Origin: Dutch Type: Feminine given name Usage regions: Netherlands, Belgium