Discover and Shortlist Your Perfect Baby Names!
Hungarian names are rooted in the country’s Finno-Ugric linguistic heritage and influenced by Christian traditions and historical events. Names like István (crown) and Erzsébet (God is my oath) often reflect Hungary’s royal and religious past. These names preserve the cultural pride and unique linguistic traditions of Hungary.
| Name | Meaning | Origins | Gender | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otka | Otka: Unique Hungarian name meaning "wealthy" or "prosperous" for girls. | Hungarian | Girl | |
| Panni | Panni is a Hungarian name meaning "cloth," often used for girls. | Hungarian | Unisex | |
| Peti | Peti: Hungarian male name meaning "rock," unique and culturally significant. | Hungarian | Boy | |
| Pinterrey | Pinterrey: Unique unisex name combining meanings of "artist" and "king." | Hungarian | Unisex | |
| Piroschka | Piroschka: Unique Hungarian name meaning "red" or "beautiful," feminine. | Hungarian | Girl | |
| Pista | Pista: Rare Hungarian male name meaning "rock," culturally significant yet unique. | Hungarian | Boy | |
| Pisti | Pisti: Hungarian name meaning "faith," symbolizing loyalty and dependability. | Hungarian | Boy | |
| Pistike | Pistike: Rare Hungarian male name meaning "rock" or "stone." | Hungarian | Boy | |
| Rezső | Rezső: a rare Hungarian name meaning "resolute" or "determined." | Hungarian | Boy | |
| Roka | Roka, a unisex Hungarian name, means "fox" and symbolizes cunning. | Hungarian | Unisex | |
| Ronai | Ronai: Unique Hungarian name meaning "joyful," primarily for males. | Hungarian | Boy | |
| Rozsa | Rozsa is a Hungarian feminine name meaning "rose," symbolizing beauty. | Hungarian | Girl | |
| Rubik | Rubik: Unique Hungarian name, masculine, culturally rich, and uncommon. | Hungarian | Boy | |
| Ruzsa | Ruzsa is a Hungarian feminine name meaning "rose," symbolizing beauty. | Hungarian | Girl | |
| Sandor | Sandor means "defender of man," with strong historical and cultural significance. | Hungarian | Unisex | |
| Sigismund | Sigismund means "victorious protector"; historically significant male name with charm. | Czech, German, Hungarian, Polish | Boy | |
| Suzzanna | Suzzanna, a variant of Susanna, means "lily" in Hebrew. | Hungarian | Girl | |
| Szofi | Szofi is a Hungarian variant of the name Sophie, meaning wisdom. | Hungarian | Girl | |
| Telek | Telek: Unique Hungarian name meaning "farmer," gaining global popularity. | Hungarian | Boy | |
| tessla | Tessla derives from Nikola Tesla, symbolizing innovation and electricity. | American, Hungarian, Serbian, Slovenian, Turkish | Either | |
| Tibi | Tibi: Hungarian male name meaning "God is good," unique choice. | Hungarian | Boy | |
| Tiboly | Tiboly: Unique Hungarian name, possibly derived from Tibor, meaning sacred. | Hungarian | Unisex | |
| Timea | Timea: a respected Hungarian name symbolizing honor, wisdom, and femininity. | Hungarian | Girl | |
| Tivadar | Tivadar: Hungarian name meaning "gift of God," unique and masculine. | Hungarian | Boy | |
| Tivadar Tibor | Tivadar Tibor: Hungarian male name meaning "gift of God," "strong." | Hungarian | Boy | |
| Treszk | Treszk is a unique, uncommon name with unclear origins and pronunciation. | Hungarian, Slavic | Unisex | |
| Tuule | Tuule means "wind" in Estonian; originates from Finnish and Estonian. | Estonian, Finnish, Hungarian | Female | |
| Vicuska | Vicuska: Unique Hungarian name meaning "village," with affectionate diminutive suffix. | Hungarian | Girl | |
| Vilmos | Vilmos means "resolute protector"; it originates from Germanic roots. | Hungarian | Boy | |
| Yanos | Yanos: Hungarian name meaning "God is gracious," moderately popular 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.
