What are some Hungarian baby boy names with religious or historical significance?

There are quite a few Hungarian baby boy names with religious and historical significance. For example, Adojan implies ‘from the Adriatic.’ Agoston, a Hungarian variant of Gustaaf, signifies staff of the gods. The popular name Dominik means ‘one who is born out of Gods.’ Marton means ‘a warring individual.’ The Hungarian name Árpád is also historically significant. Árpád was the leader of the confederation of the Magyar tribes in the 9th and 10th centuries. Likewise, the Hungarian name Béla is also linked to the countrys history. Béla IV was the king of Hungary, and his reign was marked by serious Mongol invasions.

How have Hungarian baby boy names evolved over time?

The history of the Hungarian language starts with the Uralic era, in the Neolithic age (3). At this time, the linguistic ancestors of all Uralic languages existed together in the Ural Mountains. Numerous Hungarian words, especially in the languages basic vocabulary, have a Uralic origin. The Turkish occupation of Hungary in the 16th and 17th centuries influenced the naming tradition, with many Iranian and Turkish words entering the language (4). At this time, Hungarians developed culturally. Their borrowed vocabulary had terms referring to elegant dressing. Words of a learned upper-class society also entered the language. These factors played a role in Hungarian baby boy names as we know them today.

What cultural or societal factors influence the choice of Hungarian baby boy names?

In Hungary, children often take their father’s surnames. Some names correspond to a saint. These have an associated date when the specific saint’s day is celebrated.

How do Hungarian baby boy names differ from those of neighboring Central European countries?

Hungary is a unique European nation because Hungarians speak a language unrelated to any other major European language (5). Hungarians usually first put family names, except foreign names, in their speech and text. The Hungarian language has distinct orthographic rules. So, names may have different spelling patterns than those in neighboring European countries.

What is the process for legally naming a baby boy in Hungary?

In Hungary, a baby’s name must be selected from a list of pre-approved names. You must apply for approval if your chosen name is absent from the list. Applications are considered by the Research Institute for Linguistics of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences following a set of principles (7).

What are the unique baby boy naming traditions or customs in Hungary?

Hungarian names often have a single given name. They also have only one surname. Surnames are taken from common sources like trades, traits, ethnic origins, and names of places. A title of nobility is inserted before the surname. When a baby is baptized, they can get an additional or baptismal name. This is true, especially if there is no saint with their name. The child then takes a name associated with a patron saint (7).

What are the Hungarian names for Hunter?

Vadász and Vadászó are two names that mean hunter and hunter-man, respectively.

What is the Hungarian name for Gypsy?

The Hungarian word Cigany, which has been a part of the Hungarian language since the Middle Ages, means gypsy. The most common surname of Romanian/Gypsy/Hungarian origin is Móré. It implies Romanian or Gypsy (8).

Home • Baby Names

7 Hungarian Boy Names with Meanings, Starting With J

Written by Shikha Thakur, MBA Specialty: Relationships and Baby NamesExperience: 7 years

Shikha is a writer-turned-editor at MomJunction, with over seven years of experience in the field of content. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in writing articles that guide couples through their courtship to marriage and parenthood.

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Edited by Siddharth Kesiraju, MA, Certification in Relationship Coaching Specialty: Love, Marriage and RelationshipsExperience: 7 years

Siddharth holds a certification in Relationship Coaching and a masters degree in communication and journalism from the University of Hyderabad. He has around seven years of experience in various fields of writing and editing.

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Fact-checked by Praggya Joshi, MA, BEd Specialty: Child education & activitiesExperience: 2 years

Praggya Joshi holds a bachelor's degree in Education and a master's in Ancient Indian History from University of Delhi. She has a robust knowledge of literature, society, and ethics. Praggya has been a content writer since 2021, researching and writing on education, health and wellness, and travel.

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Last Updated on Oct 3, 2023

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

Name	Gender	Meaning
Jonas	Boy	Dove; God is gracious
Jonatan	Boy	God's gift
Jeno	Boy	Well-born; Noble
Jozsef	Boy	God will add
Jakab	Boy	The God looks after him
Jensey	Boy	High-class birth or noble birth
Jozefa	Girl	He will add