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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ildi | Ildi: Rare Hungarian name meaning "warrior woman," symbolizing strength. | Hungarian | Girl | |
| Ilka | Ilka: Hungarian name meaning "bright," diminutive of Ilona, feminine. | Hungarian | Girl | |
| Ilone | Ilone: Unique Hungarian name meaning "torch," symbolizing light and elegance. | Hungarian | Girl | |
| Ilonka | Ilonka means "torch" or "light," symbolizing hope and warmth. | Hungarian | Girl | |
| 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 |
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.
