Discover and Shortlist Your Perfect Baby Names!
Hungarian Names
Hungarian names are unique and have a rich history. They are typically composed of two parts: the given name and the family name. The given name is chosen by the parents and can be influenced by various factors such as tradition, religion, and personal preference. The family name, on the other hand, is inherited from the father's side and is usually derived from the name of the family's ancestral village or profession.
Given Names
Given names in Hungary have a long history and are influenced by various cultures. Traditional Hungarian names are gender-specific, and they were often derived from the names of saints or biblical figures. For example, the name István (Stephen) is a popular name for boys, and it means "crown" or "king." Another popular name for boys is János (John), which means "God is gracious."
However, in recent years, there has been a shift towards more modern and unique names. Parents are now choosing names that are not necessarily Hungarian in origin but are still easy to pronounce and spell in Hungarian. Some popular modern names for boys include Bence, Áron, and Máté, while popular names for girls include Zsófia, Lili, and Hanna.
Family Names
Family names in Hungary are typically derived from the name of the family's ancestral village or profession. For example, the name Kovács means "smith," while the name Szabó means "tailor." Other family names are derived from the name of a person's father, such as Kovács János, which means "János, the son of Kovács."
It is worth noting that family names in Hungary were not standardized until the 19th century. Before that, people often used their given name and their father's given name as their surname. For example, if János had a son named István, István's surname would be Jánosfi, which means "son of János."
Naming Conventions
In Hungary, it is customary to address people by their surname and given name. For example, if someone's name is Kovács János, they would be addressed as Kovács János. However, in more formal settings, such as in the workplace, people are often addressed by their last name only.
It is also common for Hungarians to have a nickname or a diminutive form of their given name. For example, János might be called Jancsi, or Zsófia might be called Zsóka. These nicknames are often used by family and close friends.
Conclusion
Hungarian names are unique and have a rich history. They are typically composed of two parts: the given name and the family name. Given names in Hungary have a long history and are influenced by various cultures, while family names are typically derived from the name of the family's ancestral village or profession. Naming conventions in Hungary are also unique, with people often being addressed by their surname and given name, and having a nickname or diminutive form of their given name. Overall, Hungarian names are an important part of the country's culture and heritage.
| Name | Meaning | Origins | Gender | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iluska | Iluska: Hungarian diminutive of Ilona, meaning "little torch" or "light." | Hungarian | Girl | |
| Istvan | Istvan means "crown" in Hungarian, derived from Latin "Stephanus." | Hungarian | Boy | |
| Izabella | Izabella: Hebrew name meaning "devoted to God" and "beautiful." | Hungarian | Girl | |
| Jacint | Jacint means "hyacinth," symbolizing beauty, nobility, and vibrant heritage. | Catalan, Hungarian, Spanish | Unisex | |
| Janos | Janos: Hungarian name meaning "God is gracious," elegant and distinctive. | Hungarian | Boy | |
| Jenci | Jenci: Hungarian name meaning "noble," associated with rich cultural heritage. | Hungarian | Unisex | |
| Jeno | Jeno: Hungarian name meaning "noble friend," symbolizing strength and loyalty. | Hungarian | Boy | |
| Jenoe | Jenoe: Hungarian name meaning "well-born" or "noble," historically significant. | Hungarian | Boy | |
| Jolan | Jolan: Hungarian name meaning "violet flower," unique and melodious choice. | Hungarian | Boy | |
| Jozsa | Jozsa is a Hungarian name meaning "God will add," historically significant. | Hungarian | Unisex | |
| Jozsef | Jozsef means "God will add," originating from Hebrew Yosef. | Hungarian | Boy | |
| Jozsefa | Jozsefa: Hungarian name meaning "God will add," unique and traditional. | Hungarian | Girl | |
| Jozsefina | Jozsefina: Hungarian name meaning "God will add," unique and elegant. | Hungarian | Girl | |
| Jozsefne | Jozsefne: Rare Hungarian female name meaning "God will add." | Hungarian | Girl | |
| Juczi | Juczi: Unique, ambiguous name; possibly derived from Hungarian "Juci." | Hungarian | Unisex | |
| Juditta | Juditta: Hebrew name meaning "praised," variant of Judith, signifies strength. | Hungarian | Girl | |
| Jutka | Jutka is a Hungarian diminutive of Judith, meaning "Jewish woman." | Hungarian | Girl | |
| Kamilla | Kamilla: Latin name meaning "helper to the priest," historically significant. | Hungarian | Girl | |
| Karika | Karika: a unique, graceful Hungarian name for girls, rarely used. | Hungarian | Girl | |
| Katal | Katal: a unique unisex name meaning "pure" with Hungarian roots. | Hungarian | Unisex | |
| Katalin | Katalin means "pure," originating from Greek name Aikaterine. | Greek, Hungarian | Girl | |
| Kinga | Kinga means "brave" in Polish; derived from Hungarian origins. | Hungarian | Girl | |
| Kíra | Kíra: Hungarian name meaning "lord," elegant, unique, and gaining popularity. | Hungarian | Girl | |
| Kiss | Kiss is a unique, gender-neutral name symbolizing love and affection. | Hungarian | Unisex | |
| Kitti | Kitti: Hungarian name meaning "pure," elegant, and uniquely charming. | Hungarian | Girl | |
| Klarisza | Klarisza is a feminine name meaning "bright," with historical significance. | Hungarian | Girl | |
| Kornal | Kornal: a unique Hungarian name meaning "strong" or "vigorous." | Hungarian | Boy | |
| Korona | Korona, a Polish unisex name, means "crown" and symbolizes royalty. | Czech, Hungarian, Latin, Polish | Unisex | |
| Koronna | Koronna: Unique Hungarian name meaning "crown," symbolizing royalty and nobility. | Hungarian | Girl | |
| Laca | Laca: Hungarian name meaning "famous ruler," unique and masculine choice. | Hungarian | Boy |
The name 'Hungarian' originates from the medieval Latin term 'Hungarus', which was used to refer to the people of the region. This term itself is believed to have been derived from the name of the Onogur tribes, which were part of the Turkic tribal federation known as the Onogurs or Hungarus. The Hungarians call themselves 'Magyar', which is derived from the name of one of the seven major tribes that formed the Hungarian nation.
Hungarians are called Magyars because 'Magyar' is the name Hungarians use to refer to themselves in their own language. The term 'Magyar' is believed to have originated from the name of the Magyar tribe, which was the leading tribe of the Hungarian confederation during their migration into the Carpathian Basin. The international term 'Hungarian' is not used by Hungarians when speaking of themselves in their native language.
There is no direct historical connection between the Huns and the name 'Hungarian', despite some early theories suggesting a link. The confusion likely arose due to the similarity in the names and the presence of the Huns in Europe before the arrival of the Magyar tribes. However, modern scholarship has largely discredited any direct link between the Huns and the Magyars, who arrived in Europe several centuries later.
The term 'Onogur' is believed to mean 'ten arrows' or 'ten tribes', referring to the alliance of the Turkic tribes. The name 'Hungarian' is thought to be derived from a Latinized form of 'Onogur', as the Magyars were part of this tribal federation before settling in the Carpathian Basin. The Byzantine sources used 'Onogur' to refer to the ancestors of the Hungarians.
The name 'Hungarian' first appeared in historical records in the 12th century. It was used in medieval Latin sources to describe the people who had settled in the Carpathian Basin. The term evolved from 'Ungri' or 'Ungari' in Latin texts, which were based on earlier Slavic forms of the name.
The Magyars became known as Hungarians due to the Latin-speaking world's reference to them as 'Hungari'. This exonym was adopted by other European nations and became the commonly used name in various languages. The Magyars themselves continued to use their own endonym, 'Magyar', within their community.
The etymology of the word 'Magyar' is not entirely clear, but it is believed to be of Uralic or Turkic origin. It is the self-designation of the Hungarian people and the name of their language in Hungarian. The term is thought to have ancient roots that predate the Magyars' arrival in the Carpathian Basin.
The terms 'Hungarian' and 'Magyar' are not completely interchangeable as they are used in different contexts. 'Hungarian' is the English term for the people or things related to Hungary, while 'Magyar' is the native term Hungarians use to refer to themselves and their language. In English, 'Magyar' is often used to emphasize a cultural or ethnic distinction.
The adoption of the name 'Hungarian' was influenced by the Magyars' settlement in the Carpathian Basin in the late 9th century and their interactions with Latin-speaking clerics and chroniclers. As the Magyars established the Kingdom of Hungary, Latin became the language of administration and record, which led to the use of 'Hungari' in official documents. Over time, this term was adopted by other European languages and became the standard reference to the nation and its people.
Hungarians generally accept the name 'Hungarian' as the international designation for their nationality. However, they maintain a strong sense of identity with the name 'Magyar', which is deeply rooted in their history and culture. The dual identity reflects the distinction between the internal self-perception and the external label given by other nations.
