Kees is a Dutch masculine given name, originally a diminutive of Cornelis, the Dutch form of the Roman family name Cornelius. The name is contracted from Cor-nelis, shortening it to a familiar, single-syllable form. It is widely used in the Netherlands as a standalone name, and an alternate spelling is Cees.EtymologyKees traces back through Cornelis to the Latin Cornelius, which possibly derives from cornu meaning “horn.” In the New Testament, Cornelius is a Roman centurion who converts to Christianity after a vision from an angel (Acts 10). He is traditionally regarded as the first gentile convert. The name was later borne by early saints, including a 3rd-century pope, and became popular in the Netherlands through Dutch influence from the 16th century onward.Notable BearersThe most internationally recognized bearer is Kees van Dongen (1877–1968), a Dutch-French painter associated with the Fauvist movement. Many other notable Dutch figures bear the name: Kees van Baaren (1906–1970), composer and teacher; Kees Bakels (born 1945), conductor; Kees Brusse (1925–2013), actor and film director; Kees Fens (1929–2009), literary critic; Kees Hengeveld (born 1957), linguist; and sportsmen such as speed skater Kees Broekman (1927–1992) and footballer Kees Kist (born 1952).Cultural SignificanceKees is a classic Dutch name, typical of the Dutch onomastic tradition of using shortened forms or pet forms of longer given names. Related Dutch variants include Cor, Cees, and Corné. The feminine form Cornelia exists in Dutch and many other languages. In Scandinavia and English-speaking countries, names like Kai or Connie serve as cognates or equivalents. Despite its contraction, Kees retains the honor of a storied Roman and religious legacy, while standing firmly as a distinct Dutch given name.Meaning: Diminutive of Cornelis (horn)Origin: Dutch, from Latin CorneliusType: Diminutive, given nameUsage regions: The Netherlands