Trends in new name applications in Hungary

Based on new name proposals submitted for approval over the last 12 years (2013–2024)

Abstract

This study offers a comprehensive analysis of first name proposals submitted for official approval in Hungary over the last 12 years, between 2013 and 2024. It begins with an overview of the application procedure and its legal context, emphasizing that the names analysed are not (yet) part of the officially codified stock of Hungarian given names, but instead represent new submissions subject to expert evaluation. The study proceeds with a quantitative overview of annual applications, detailing gender distribution and statistics detailing the proportion of accepted and rejected names. This statistical overview is then followed by a detailed analysis of the 1132 first names proposed for registration over this 12-year period. These first names are analysed according to gender and categorized according to factors such as linguistic origin and formation type. Drawing on this analysis, the study identifies emerging patterns and naming trends, which are then synthesized in the concluding section. While several observed tendencies correspond to the typological categories proposed by Caffarelli and Gerritzen in 2002, the findings suggest that the categories require further revision or expansion in light of recent developments and shifting preferences.