List of Dutch people
Below are lists of Dutch people who are famous and/or have an article:
Art
Architecture
- Jaap Bakema (1914-1981)
- Hendrik Petrus Berlage (1856-1934)
- Jo van den Broek (1898-1978)
- Pierre Cuypers (1827-1921)
- Willem Marinus Dudok (1884-1974)
- Aldo van Eyck (1918-1999)
- Rem Koolhaas (born 1944)
- Jacobus Oud (1890-1963)
- Gerrit Rietveld (1888-1964)
- Dolf de Maar (born 1944)
Movies
- Willeke van Ammelrooy, (born 1944), actress
- Jan de Bont, (born 1943), cinematographer (Speed)
- Rene Daalder, (born 1944), director
- Bracha van Doesburgh, (born 1981), actress
- Bobbi Eden, (born 1980), porn actress
- Laura Gemser, (born 1950), porn actress
- Theo van Gogh, (born 1957, died 2004), director
- Rutger Hauer, (born 1944), actor
- Johannes Heesters, (born 1903), actor
- Deidre Holland, (born 1966), porn actress
- Carice van Houten, (born 1976), actress
- Famke Janssen, (born 1965), actress
- Jeroen Krabbé, (born 1944), actor, director
- Sylvia Kristel, (born 1952), actress
- Anneliese van der Pol, (born 1984), actress
- Renée Soutendijk, (born 1957), actress
- Johanna ter Steege, (born 1961), actress
- Terri Summers, (born 1976), porn actress
- Monique van de Ven, (born 1952), actress
- Paul Verhoeven, (born 1938), director
- Zara Whites, (born 1968), porn actress
Music
- Thomas Acda (1967-), singer, actor
- Sharon Den Adel, singer of Within Temptation
- Jan Akkerman, guitar player
- Amber, singer
- Elly Ameling, singer classical music
- Louis Andriessen (1939-), composer
- Dick Annegarn (1952-), singer, musician
- Anouk, singer
- Joris van Beek Klezmer & Balkan violinist
- Bart Berman, pianist, composer
- Marco Borsato (1966-), singer
- Willem Breuker (1944-), jazz musician
- Herman Brood (1946-2001), rock musician and artist
- Theo Bruins, pianist, composer
- Armin van Buuren, popular Trance DJ
- Gerard Cornielje (1962-), jazz musician and poet
- Ferry Corsten, popular Trance DJ
- Esmée Denters, singer, made famous through YouTube
- Cristina Deutekom, singer classical music
- Alphons Diepenbrock, composer
- Candy Dulfer, saxophone player
- Margriet Ehlen (1943-), composer
- Tess Gaerthé (1991-), actress and singer
- Jan van Gilse (1881-1944), composer
- Boudewijn de Groot (1944-), singer, actor
- Stephen van Haestregt, drummer of Within Temptation
- Alex Van Halen, drummer of Van Halen
- Eddie Van Halen, guitarist of Van Halen
- Barry Hay (1948-), singer of Golden Earring
- André Hazes (1951-2004), singer
- Ilse Huizinga (1966-), jazz singer
- Dominique van Hulst, singer, popularly known as Do
- Janine Jansen, violinist
- Ruud Adrianus Jolie, guitarist of Within Temptation
- Tim Kliphuis, jazz violinist
- Peter Koelewijn (1940-) founder of Dutch Rock & Roll
- Arjen Anthony Lucassen, composer and musician
- Willem Mengelberg (1871-1951), conductor
- Rogier van Otterloo, composer
- Willem van Otterloo (1907-1978), composer
- Willem Pijper, composer
- Abbie de Quant, flautist
- Natalia Rogalski, singer
- Julius Röntgen (1855-1932), composer
- Marc van Roon (1967 - ), jazz pianist, co-founder Art in Rhythm
- Ramses Shaffy (1933-), singer
- Jaap Spaanderman, pianist, cellist, conductor
- Martijn Spierenburg, keyboardist of Within Temptation
- Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck, composer and organist
- Marc van Roon, jazz pianist, facilitator
- Jelle van Tongeren Jazz violinist
- Jeroen van Veen (bassist) (1974–), bassist with the group Within Temptation
- Jeroen van Veen (pianist) (1969–), classical pianist and composer
- Herman van Veen (1945-), singer, theater performer
- Matthijs Vermeulen (1888-1967), composer
- Matthijs Verschoor, classical pianist
- Tijs Verwest, DJ (better known as DJ Tiësto)
- Klaas de Vries (1944-), composer
- Edo de Waart, conductor
- Johan Wagenaar (1862-1941), composer
- Robert Westerholt, guitarist of Within Temptation
- Jaap van Zweden, violinist and conductor
- All Missing Pieces, band (2005-)
Visual Arts
- Pieter van Abeele (1622-1677), medallist
- Bernard Accama (d.1756), painter
- Karel Appel (1921-2006), painter
- Hendrick Avercamp (1585-1634), painter
- Ludolf Backhuysen (1631-1708), painter
- Helen Berman (1936-), painter
- Tord Boontje designer
- Hieronymus Bosch (1450-1516), painter
- Ambrosius Bosschaert (1573-1612), painter
- Jan de Bray (1627-1697), painter
- Dick Bruna (born 1927), graphical artist
- Paul Citroen (1896-1983), painter
- Anton Corbijn, photographer
- Aelbert Cuyp (1620-1691), painter
- Theo van Doesburg (1883-1931), painter
- Willem Drost (1630-1680), painter and print maker
- M. C. Escher (1898-1972), graphical artist
- Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890), painter
- Jan van Goyen (1596-1656), painter
- Frans Hals (1580-1666), painter
- Pieter de Hooch (1629-1684), painter
- Willem de Kooning (1904-1997), painter
- Han van Meegeren (1889-1947), forger of paintings
- Piet Mondrian (1872-1944), painter
- Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669), painter
- Geertgen tot Sint Jans (active 1465-1495), painter
- Jan Steen (1626-1679), painter
- Thierry Veltman (1939-) painter and sculptor
- Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675), painter
- Hendrik Nicolaas Werkman (1882-1945), typographer and illustrator
- Ton Willems (1954-), sculptor and painter
- Jacob de Wit (1695-1754), painter
- ((Alain Clark) Singer, songwriter, producer
Writing
- A. C. Baantjer (born 1923), writer of detective fiction
- Remco Campert, novelist, poet
- Jacob Cats, poet
- Isabelle de Charrière, novelist
- Anne de Vries, writer from Drenthe, wrote the novel Bartje
- Anne Frank, Jewish diarist during World War II
- Geert Groote
- Arnon Grünberg, (born 1971)
- Hella Haasse, novelist
- Jan de Hartog (1914-2002), novelist and playwright
- Herman Heijermans (1864-1924)
- Willem Frederik Hermans, novelist
- Xaviera Hollander, writer
- Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft, (1581-1647)
- Constantijn Huygens
- Gerrit Krol, novelist, poet
- Harry Mulisch, (born 1927), novelist
- Multatuli, novelist
- Nescio
- Cees Nooteboom, novelist
- Willem Oltmans (1925-2004), journalist
- Gerard Reve, novelist
- Tjalie Robinson, (1911-1974)
- Joost van den Vondel (1587-1674), poet, playwright
- Janwillem van de Wetering, (1931-2008), novelist
- Jan Wolkers, (1925-2007)
Exploration
- Willem Barentsz, (1550?—1597), several expeditions to Arctic waters. Discovered Spitsbergen
- Abraham Blauvelt (died 1663), Central America
- Adriaen Block (1567-1627), New Netherlands
- Hendrik Brouwer (1580-1643), discovered the Roaring Forties
- Olivier Brunel (ca.1540-1585), tried to find a passage around Siberia to China
- Jan Carstenszoon, (c.1595—?), New Guinea coast, navigated the Gulf of Carpentaria in 1623
- Dirk Hartog, (1580—1621), VOC captain, charted mid-western coast of Australia
- Jacob van Heemskerk, (1567–1607), captain of one of Barent's ships on his last fatal expedition
- Cornelis de Houtman, (1565—1599), brother to Frederick, established Dutch trading route to the Spice Islands
- Frederick de Houtman, (1571—1627), brother to Cornelis, charted several constellations in the southern skies, explored coast of Western Australia
- Willem Janszoon, (c.1570—1630), first European expedition to make landfall on the Australian continent
- Jacob Le Maire (c.1585-1616), Cape Horn, 1616 circumnavigation
- Cornelius Jacobsen Mey, New Jersey (1614-1620)
- Olivier van Noort (1558-1627), 1598 circumnavigation
- Jacob Quaeckernaeck (died 1606), reached Japan via Street of Magellan and Moluccas
- Matthijs Quast (died 1641), Japan, Bonin Islands, and legendary islands East of Japan
- Jan Rijp, saved remainder of Willem Barentsz' crew in 1597
- Jakob Roggeveen (1659-1729), First European to reach Easter Island Easter 1722
- Willem Schouten (1567-1625), Cape Horn, 1616 circumnavigation
- Simon van der Stel (1639-1702), explored South Africa North and East of Cape Town
- Abel Tasman, (1603—1659), extensive voyages around Australia and southwest Pacific, discovered a.o. Tasmania, New Zealand & Tonga
- François Thijssen, charted 1000 miles of the Australian South Coast in 1627
- Alexandrine Tinné (1839-1869), Sahara desert crossing
- Willem de Vlamingh (1640-17??), Western Australia
- Sebald de Weert (died 1602), discovered Falkland Islands
Historians
- Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft (1581-1647)
- Johan Huizinga (1872-1945)
- Loe de Jong (1914-2005)
- Geert Mak (born 1946)
- Jan Romein (1893-1962)
- Petrus Scriverius (1576-1660)
- Boudewijn Sirks (born 1953)
Military
- Karel Doorman, (1889-1942), naval officer
- Piet Pieterszoon Hein, (1577-1629), naval officer
- Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange, (1584-1647), general and stadtholder
- Hendrick Lucifer, naval officer turned pirate
- J. B. van Heutsz, (1851-1924), governor general
- Maurice of Nassau, Prince of Orange, (1567-1625), general and stadtholder
- Michiel de Ruyter, (1607-1676), naval officer
- Cornelis Tromp, naval officer
- Maarten Tromp, (born 1598), naval officer
- Cornelis de Witt, 1623-72), naval officer and statesman
Philosophy
- Isaac Beeckman (1588-1637)
- Evert Willem Beth (1908-1964)
- Herman Dooyeweerd, philosopher Vrije Universiteit
- Desiderius Erasmus, writer, polemicist, humanist Protestant Reformation
- Hugo Grotius (1583-1645), also lawyer, playwright, & poet
- François Hemsterhuis (1721-1790)
- Johannes Jacobus Poortman (1896-1970)
- Baruch de Spinoza, (1632-1677), philosopher
- Cornelis Petrus Tiele (1830-1902), theologian and historian of religion
Politics
Before 20th century
- Pier Gerlofs Donia, (1480 - 1520), legendary warrior, folk hero, freedom fighter and rebel
- Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange, (1584-1647), general and stadtholder
- Maurice of Nassau, Prince of Orange, (1567-1625), general and stadtholder
- Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, (1547-1619), statesman
- Johan Rudolf Thorbecke, (1798-1872), prime minister
- William the Silent, (1533-1584), stadtholder
- William III of Orange, (1650-1702), stadtholder and king of England
- Johan de Witt, (1625-1672), statesman
20th-21st century
- Dries van Agt, (1931-), Prime Minister of the Netherlands (1977-1982)
- Jan Peter Balkenende, (1956-), Prime Minister of the Netherlands (2002-)
- Louis Beel, (1902-1977), Prime Minister of the Netherlands (1946-1948, 1958-1959)
- Barend Biesheuvel, (1920-2001), Prime Minister of the Netherlands (1971-1973)
- Els Borst, (1932-), Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport
- Wouter Bos, (1963-), Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance
- Ben Bot, (1937-), Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Hans van den Broek, (1936-), Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Commissioner (1993-1999)
- Jo Cals, (1914-1971), Prime Minister of the Netherlands (1965-1966)
- Hendrikus Colijn, (1869-1944), Prime Minister of the Netherlands (1925-1926, 1933-1939)
- Pieter Cort van der Linden, (1846-1935), Prime Minister of the Netherlands (1913-1918)
- Ferdinand Domela Nieuwenhuis, (1846–1919), First prominent Socialist
- Willem Drees, (1886-1988), Prime Minister of the Netherlands (1948-1958)
- Wim Duisenberg, (1935–2005), Minister of Finance, President of the European Central Bank (1998-2003)
- Pim Fortuyn, (1948-2002), Popular Politician, Candidate for Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Assassinated during the Election of 2002
- Cornelis van Geelkerken, (1901-1979), National-Socialist, co-founder of the NSB
- Dirk Jan de Geer, (1870-1960), Prime Minister of the Netherlands (1926-1929, 1939-1940)
- Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, (1948-), Minister of Foreign Affairs, Secretary General of NATO (2004-)
- Hans Janmaat, (1934-2002), Right-Wing Nationalist
- Piet de Jong, (1915-), Prime Minister of the Netherlands (1967-1971)
- Wim Kok, (1938-), Prime Minister of the Netherlands (1994-2002)
- Abraham Kuyper, (1837-1920), Prime Minister of the Netherlands (1901-1905)
- Ruud Lubbers, (1938-), Prime Minister of the Netherlands (1982-1994), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (2001-2005)
- Joseph Luns, (1911-2002), Minister of Foreign Affairs, Secretary General of NATO (1971-1984)
- Victor Marijnen, (1917-1975), Prime Minister of the Netherlands (1963-1965)
- Anton Mussert, (1894-1946), National-Socialist, Founder of the NSB
- Pieter Oud, (1886-1966), Founder of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy
- Alexander Pechtold, (1965-), Minister for Government Reform and Kingdom Relations
- Jan Pronk, (1940-), Minister for Development Cooperation, Minister of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, Head of the United Nations Mission in Sudan (2004-2006)
- Jan de Quay, (1901-1985), Prime Minister of the Netherlands (1959-1963)
- Johan Remkes, (1951-), Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Interior
- Charles Ruijs de Beerenbrouck, (1873-1936), Prime Minister of the Netherlands (1918-1925, 1929-1933)
- Pieter Jelles Troelstra, (1860-1930), Political Activist for Universal suffrage
- Joop den Uyl, (1919-1987), Prime Minister of the Netherlands (1973-1977)
- Rita Verdonk, (1955-), Minister for Integration & Immigration, Member of the House of Representatives
- Hans Wiegel, (1941-), Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Interior, Queen's Commissioner of Friesland
- Geert Wilders, (1963-), Prominent Islam Critic, Member of the House of Representatives
- Gerrit Zalm, (1952-), Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance
- Jelle Zijlstra, (1918-2001), Prime Minister of the Netherlands (1966-1967)
Royal Family
- William I of the Netherlands (1772 - 1843), King
- William II of the Netherlands (1792 - 1849), King
- William III of the Netherlands (1817 - 1890), King
- Emma of Waldeck and Pyrmont (1858 - 1934), Queen consort, Queen regent (1890 - 1898)
- Wilhelmina of the Netherlands (1880-1962), Queen
- Juliana of the Netherlands (1909-2004), Queen
- Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld (1911 - 2004), Prince-consort
- Beatrix of the Netherlands (born 1938), Queen
- Prince Claus (1926-2002), Prince-consort
- Princess Irene of the Netherlands (born 1939)
- Princess Margriet of the Netherlands (born 1943)
- Princess Christina of the Netherlands (born 1947)
- Willem-Alexander, Prince of Orange (born 1967)
- Princess Máxima of the Netherlands (born 1971)
- Prince Friso of Orange-Nassau (born 1968)
- Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands (born 1969)
- Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands (born 2003)
- Princess Alexia of the Netherlands (born 2005)
- Princess Ariane of the Netherlands (born 2007)
Science and technology
Before 20th century
- Daniel Bernoulli, (1700-1782), mathematician and physicist
- Herman Boerhaave, (1668-1738), physician
- C.H.D. Buys Ballot, (1817-1890), chemist & meteorologist
- Ludolph van Ceulen, (1540-1610), mathematician
- Laurens Janszoon Coster, (1370-1440), printer
- Cornelius Drebbel, (1572-1633), inventor & engineer
- Eise Eisinga, (1744-1828), astronomer
- David Fabricius, (1564-1617), astronomer
- Jacobus Henricus van 't Hoff, (1852-1911), chemist
- Christiaan Huygens, (1629-1695), mathematician and physicist
- Jan Ingenhousz, (1730-1799), physiologist, botanist and physicist.
- Anton van Leeuwenhoek, (1632-1723), scientist
- Frans van Schooten, (1615-1660), mathematician
- Willebrord Snell, (1580-1626), astronomer & mathematician
- Simon Stevin, (1548-1620), mathematician & engineer
- Thomas Joannes Stieltjes, (1856-1894), mathematician
- Jan Swammerdam, (1637-1680), scientist
- Gustav de Vries, (1866-1934), mathematician
- Hugo de Vries, (1848-1937), geneticist
- Johannes Diderik van der Waals, (1837-1923), physicist
- Hendrik Zwaardemaker, (1857-1930), scientist
Twentieth century
- Wiebe Bijker, (1951), social scientist
- Nicolaas Bloembergen, (1920-), physicist
- Luitzen Egbertus Jan Brouwer, (1881-1966), mathematician
- Nicolaas Govert de Bruijn, (1918-), mathematician
- Hendrik Casimir, (1909-2000), physicist
- Paul J. Crutzen, (1933-), atmospheric chemist
- David van Dantzig, (1900-1959), mathematician
- Peter Debye, (1884-1966), chemist
- Robbert Dijkgraaf, (1960-), physicist
- Edsger Dijkstra, (1930-2002), computer scientist
- David Adriaan van Dorp, (1915-1995), chemist
- Eugène Dubois, (1858-1944), paleontologist & anatomist
- Christiaan Eijkman, (1858-1930), physician & pathologist
- Willem Einthoven, (1860-1927), physician
- Anthony Fokker, (1890-1939), aviation engineer
- Valerie Frissen, (1960), social scientist
- Richard Gill, (1951-), mathematician
- Arend Heyting, (1898-1980), mathematician
- Gerardus 't Hooft, (born 1946), physicist
- Heike Kamerlingh Onnes, (1853-1926), physicist
- Jacobus Kapteyn, (1851-1922), astronomer
- Willem Hendrik Keesom, (1878-1956), physicist
- Pieter Kok, (1972-), physicist
- Tjalling Koopmans, (1910-1985), economist
- Gerard Kuiper, (1905-1973), astronomer
- Hendrik Lorentz, (1853-1928), physicist
- Rheinhard Louis Abraham Leunissen, [1932- ], author, cardiologist
- Simon van der Meer, (1925-), physicist
- Bram Moolenaar, computer programmer, author of text-editor Vim
- Wubbo Ockels, (1946-), astronaut
- Jan Oort, (1900-1992), astronomer
- Anton Pannekoek, (1873-1960), astronomer
- Guido van Rossum, computer programmer, inventor of the Python programming language
- Carel van Schaik, primatologist
- Maarten Schmidt, (1929-), astronomer
- Willem de Sitter, (1872-1934), mathematician, physicist & astronomer
- Hendrik Tennekes, (1936-), aerodynamics professor
- Jan Tinbergen, (1903-1994), economist
- Nico Tinbergen, (1907-1988), ecologist
- Martinus J. G. Veltman, (born 1931), physicist
- Bartel Leendert van der Waerden, (1903-1996), mathematician
- Pieter Zeeman, (1865-1943), physicist
- Frits Zernike, (1888-1966), physicist
Supermodels
- Wilhelmina Cooper (1940–1980)
- Daniella van Graas, (born 1975)
- Rianne ten Haken, (born 1986)
- Querelle Jansen, (born 1985)
- Doutzen Kroes, (born 1985)
- Shemar Moore (born 1970)
- Karen Mulder, (born 1970)
- Yfke Sturm, (born 1981)
- Mark Vanderloo, (born 1968)
- Frederique van der Wal, (born 1967)
- Stefanie Peterman, (born 1986)
Sports
- Christijan Albers (born 1979), Formula 1 driver
- Ryan Babel (born 1986), football player
- Raymond van Barneveld (born 1967), darts player
- Marco van Basten (born 1964), manager and retired football player
- Stan van Belkum (born 1961), water polo player
- Carina Benninga (born 1962), field hockey player
- Dennis Bergkamp (born 1969), manager and retired football player
- Det de Beus (born 1958), field hockey goalkeeper
- Fanny Blankers-Koen (1918-2004), athlete
- Rens Blom (born 1977), 2005 World Champion pole vault
- Frank de Boer (born 1970), retired football player
- Ronald de Boer (born 1970), retired football player
- Floris Jan Bovelander (born 1966), field hockey player
- Mart Bras (born 1950), water polo player
- Jacques Brinkman (born 1966), field hockey player
- Giovanni van Bronckhorst (born 1975), football player
- Inge de Bruijn (born 1974), swimmer
- Ton Buunk (born 1952), water polo player
- Johan Cruijff (born 1947), retired football player and former manager
- Edgar Davids (born 1973), football player
- Marc Delissen (born 1965), field hockey player
- Cees Jan Diepeveen (born 1956), field hockey player
- Sjoukje Dijkstra, figure skater
- Robert Doornbos (born 1981), Formula 1 driver
- Jacco Eltingh (born 1970), tennis player
- Max Euwe (1901-1981), chess player
- Louis van Gaal (born 1951), football player and manager
- Dan Gadzuric (born 1978), NBA player
- Anton Geesink (born 1934), judoka
- Yvonne van Gennip (born 1964), speed skater
- Anky van Grunsven (born 1968), dressage
- Ruud Gullit (born 1962), football player and coach
- Paul Haarhuis (born 1966), tennis player
- Willem van Hanegem (born 1944), football player and coach
- Wil Hartog (born 1948) Grand Prix motorcycle racer
- Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (born 1972), football player
- Guus Hiddink (born 1946), manager and retired football player
- Ellen Hoog (born 1986), field hockey player
- Pieter van den Hoogenband (born 1978), swimmer
- Ernesto Hoost (born 1965), kickboxer
- Jan Janssen (born 1940), cyclist
- Gijs Kind (born 1972), Holland 8, rowing
- Jelle Klaasen (born 1984), darts player
- Bep van Klaveren (1907-1992), boxer
- Patrick Kluivert (born 1976), football player
- Ronald Koeman (born 1963), football player and manager
- Ada Kok (born 1947), swimmer
- Richard Krajicek (born 1971), tennis player
- Ties Kruize (born 1952), field hockey player
- Dirk Kuyt, (born 1980), football player
- Nico Landeweerd (born 1954), water polo player
- Ellen van Langen (born 1966), athlete
- Arie Luyendyk (born 1953), race car driver
- Rie Mastenbroek (1919-2003), swimmer
- Leontien van Moorsel (born 1970), cyclist
- Ruud van Nistelrooy (born 1976), football player
- Teun de Nooijer (born 1976), field hockey player
- Tom Okker (born 1944), tennis player
- Tinus Osendarp (1916-2002), athlete
- Robin van Persie (born 1983), football player
- Frank Rijkaard (born 1962), football player and manager
- Lucia Rijker (born 1967), boxer and kickboxer
- Rintje Ritsma (born 1970), speed skater
- Arjen Robben (born 1984), football player
- Gianni Romme (born 1973), speed skater
- Wim Ruska (born 1940), judoka
- Edwin van der Sar (born 1970), football player
- Ard Schenk (born 1944), speed skater
- Clarence Seedorf (born 1976), football player
- Emil Sitoci (born 1985), showwrestler
- Rutger Smith (born 1981), athlete
- Rik Smits (born 1966), NBA player
- Petra van Staveren (born 1966), swimmer
- Betty Stöve (born 1945), tennis player
- Carole Thate (born 1971), field hockey player
- Jan Timman (born 1951), chess player
- Regilio Tuur (born 1967), boxer
- Jochem Uytdehaage (born 1976), speed skater
- Arnold Vanderlyde (born 1963), boxer
- Jim Van der Meer (born 1980), Dutch-Canadian ice hockey player
- Bart Veldkamp (born 1967), speed skater
- Kees Verkerk (born 1942), speed skater
- Martin Verkerk (born 1978), tennis player
- Jos Verstappen (born 1972), F1 Grand Prix racing driver
- Bert van Vlaanderen (born 1964), long-distance runner
- Harm Wiersma (born 1953), checkers player
- Hans Wouda (born 1941), water polo player
- Marcel Wouda (born 1972), swimmer
- Joop Zoetemelk (born 1946), cyclist
Other
- Pope Adrian VI, (1522-1523), pope from 1522 to 1523
- Hendrikje van Andel-Schipper, (1890-2005), oldest person in world from May 2004 to Aug 30, 2005
- Corrie ten Boom, Christian activist during the Holocaust
- Evert Dudok, president of EADS Astrium Space Transportation
- Gretta Duisenberg, pro-Palestinian activist and the wife of Wim Duisenberg
- Jacob Eelkens, first commander of the first Dutch fort in America (fort Nassau)
- Hugo de Groot, jurist
- Frans van der Hoff (1939-), co-founder of Max Havelaar, the first Fairtrade certification initiative
- Marinus van der Lubbe, (1909-1934), see: Reichstag fire
- Mata Hari, spy
- Anton Philips, co-founder of the Royal Philips Electronics
- Gerard Philips, (1858-1942), co-founder of the Royal Philips Electronics
- Roel Pieper, (1956-), businessman and professor
- Jan Sloot, inventor
- Peter Stuyvesant, (1592-1672), governor of the New Netherland