Flanders

Flanders is a gender neutral name of German and Dutch origins that might sound familiar if you’re a fan of the animated sitcom The Simpsons! In this series, Ned Flanders is the well-meaning neighbor of Homer, Marge, and their family. You and baby Flanders can also find their name on the map, as Flanders is a region in Belgium. Throughout history, Flanders may have been a last name given to those who were “from Flanders,” though the name could have other translations. Some sources link Flanders to an Old German word for a “waterlogged” place, which is very fitting given that the Flanders region is known for its marshy landscape. Flanders may also derive from the Flemish words vlakte, meaning “plain,” and wanderen, meaning “to wander,” a sign that there could be lots of exploring in your and baby Flanders' future.