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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zizi | Zizi: Unisex name meaning "radiance," with Hebrew, Hungarian, African origins. | Hungarian | Unisex | |
| Zoltan | Zoltan: Hungarian name meaning "life" or "king," with historical significance. | Hungarian | Boy | |
| Zoltán | Zoltán means "life" in Hungarian; derived from Slavic roots. | Hungarian | Male | |
| Zolten | Zolten means "little soldier," originating from Hungarian and Slavic roots. | Arabic, Hebrew, Hungarian | Male | |
| Zsa | Zsa is a unique Hungarian name meaning "life," popularized by Gabor. | Hungarian | Girl | |
| Zsanett | Zsanett: Hungarian name meaning "God is gracious," unique and elegant. | Hungarian | Girl | |
| zsazsa | Zsazsa is a Hungarian name meaning "lily" or "flower." | American, Hungarian | Female | |
| Zsi Zsi | Zsi Zsi is a playful Hungarian girl's name with unique charm. | Hungarian | Girl | |
| Zsiga | Zsiga: Hungarian name meaning "God is gracious," rich cultural significance. | Hungarian | Boy | |
| Zsofya | Zsofya means "wisdom," is a unique Hungarian variant of Sophia. | Hungarian | Girl | |
| Zsofyah | Zsofyah: Unique name meaning "wisdom," with Hungarian and Greek roots. | Hungarian | Girl | |
| Zsolt | Zsolt: Hungarian name meaning "ruler," symbolizing strength and leadership. | Hungarian | Boy | |
| Zsophee | Zsophee: Unique Greek name meaning wisdom, variation of Sophia. | Greek, Hungarian | Girl | |
| Zsophi | Zsophi: Hungarian variation of Sophie, meaning "wisdom" or "wise." | Hungarian | Girl | |
| Zsophy | Zsophy: Unique Hungarian name meaning "wisdom," derived from Sophie. | Hungarian | Girl | |
| Zsophya | Zsophya: Unique Hungarian name meaning "sparkling wisdom," symbolizing intelligence. | Hungarian | Unisex | |
| Zsuska | Zsuska: Hungarian diminutive of Zsuzsanna, meaning "lily," charmingly unique. | Hungarian | Girl | |
| Zsuzannah | Zsuzannah means "graceful lily," has Hungarian roots, and historical significance. | Hungarian | Girl | |
| Zsuzsa | Zsuzsa, a Hungarian name meaning "lily," is historically significant. | Hungarian | Girl | |
| Zsuzsika | Zsuzsika: Hungarian diminutive of Zsuzsanna, meaning "little graceful lily." | Hungarian | Girl | |
| Zsuzska | Zsuzska: Hungarian diminutive of Susan, meaning "graceful lily," feminine name. | Hungarian | Girl |
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.
