Hungarian names in one minute
Hungarian names are shaped by a distinctive language, spelling system and naming culture. In traditional Hungarian order, the family name comes before the given name.
What makes Hungarian names distinctive?
Hungarian is not an Indo-European language, and its spelling conventions can look unfamiliar to English speakers. Letter combinations such as sz, zs, cs, gy and ny represent specific sounds. Accents such as á, é, í, ó, ö, ő, ú, ü and ű also matter.
Common international roots, Hungarian forms
Many Hungarian names are local forms of names found elsewhere in Europe: Máté relates to Matthew, Katalin to Catherine, Erzsébet to Elizabeth and Szilvia to Silvia. Others have especially strong Hungarian historical or linguistic associations.
Name order
Traditional Hungarian domestic order places the family name first and given name second. For example, a person called “Nagy Anna” in Hungarian order may appear as “Anna Nagy” in an international context.
Name days
Hungary also has a well-known névnap tradition. Calendars associate given names with dates, and people may receive greetings or small gifts on their name day.
Explore by type
Hungarian girl names
Established feminine names and Hungarian forms.
Hungarian boy names
Traditional and familiar masculine names.
Rare girl names
Distinctive choices with Hungarian usage or history.
Nature names
Flowers, plants and natural associations.