"Saxon woman"
Saskia
The name of Rembrandt's beloved muse and Dutch Golden Age art
Meaning & Origin
"of the Saxons, knife bearer"
The Story of Saskia
Saskia is a Dutch and Low German name, believed to derive from the Old German Sahsa or the Germanic tribal name Saxon, which itself comes from seax meaning a type of short knife or sword. The Saxons were a Germanic tribe who gave their name to the regions of Saxony and Essex. Saskia is therefore essentially a name meaning woman of the Saxons.
Saskia is widely used in the Netherlands and Germany and is gaining popularity in English-speaking countries as parents seek Continental European names with a distinctive but pronounceable sound. The name has an artistic association through Rembrandt's beloved wife and muse Saskia van Uylenburgh.
Saskia van Uylenburgh (1612-1642) was the wife and most famous model of the Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn. He painted her repeatedly throughout their marriage, creating some of the most celebrated portraits in Western art history. Her face is immortalized in dozens of Rembrandt's most famous works, making the name synonymous with Dutch Golden Age art.
Fun Facts
- Saskia van Uylenburgh was Rembrandt's wife and appears in many of his most famous paintings
- The name Saskia comes from the ancient Germanic tribe of the Saxons
- Saskia has been consistently popular in the Netherlands for centuries
Saskia in Other Languages
Famous People Named Saskia
Saskia Schreiber
Athlete
1993
German field hockey player and Olympic gold medalist at the 2016 Rio Olympics
Saskia Reeves
Actor
1961
British actress known for her roles in Close My Eyes, Under the Skin, and Sherlock
Saskia van Uylenburgh
Other
1612
Dutch woman who was the wife and famous model of painter Rembrandt van Rijn, immortalized in dozens of his greatest pain...
Dutch woman who was the wife and famous model of painter Rembrandt van Rijn, immortalized in dozens of his greatest paintings
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #3,698
- Total SSA Count
- 41
- Cultural Origins
- Dutch German English Scandinavian
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Saskia
What does the name Saskia mean?
What is the origin of the name Saskia?
Is Saskia a boy or girl name?
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About the Name Saskia
Saskia is a girl name with Dutch, German, English, and Scandinavian origins . The name means "Saxon woman" in Germanic .
Saskia is currently ranked #3,698 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Saskia has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Saskia include Sas, Kia, and Saski. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.