Hauke, pronounced [ˈhɔukə], is a fairly common Frisian masculine given name. According to onomatologist Rienk de Haan, this name developed from a reduced form of Germanic names starting with either Habuk- (meaning "hawk") or with Hug- (meaning "brain").[1] If the last etymology is correct, Hauke would be the Frisian version of Hugo.
In the West Frisian language, masculine given names can usually be adapted to equivalent feminine given names. In the case of Hauke, this is accomplished by dropping the voiceless final syllable and adding a diminutive suffix in its place (in this case -je), resulting in Haukje. This is a reasonably common name in the Dutch province of Friesland,[1] though often spelled Houkje, as Hauke is often spelled Houke there.[2]