Nouvelle-Hollandeproper nounEtymologyexpand(1644) name given by the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman. In 1824, the United Kingdom formalized by decree the renaming of the continent to Australia.Definitions1. Name given to the Dutch possessions in Brazil, seized and then returned to the Portuguese between 1630 and 1654.expand2. Name given in 1644 by the Dutch to what would become (in 1824) Australia.expand3. Name sometimes given to the Dutch North American colony of New Netherland (in Dutch, Nieuw Nederland), also called New Belgium, which would become the British colony of New York. (1614-1664, 1673-1674)expandSynonymsNouveaux-Pays-BasNouvelle BelgeNouvelle-NéerlandeNouvelle-YorkNouvelle YorkNovum Belgium