Névtani Értesítő

Névtani Értesítő 47. (2025)

2025-09-16T04:11:21+00:00

Methodological challenges associated with compiling the place names of multilingual settlements

2025-09-19T08:18:20+00:00

The methodological challenges associated with compiling the place names of multilingual settlements have become particularly pressing in recent years, particularly in light of the ongoing data compilation efforts related to the Hungarian National Toponym Registry Program, launched in 2022. Comprehensive documentation of place names in such multilingual areas – covering all relevant languages – requires methodological approaches that differ significantly from those applied in monolingual contexts. Key issues that require clarification include the linguistic situation of multilingual settlements both in Hungary and in neighbouring countries; the methodological procedures employed during previous compilations; the techniques of collecting spoken language data under the current program; the challenges of assessing the linguistic characteristics of place names; problems relating to their phonetic transcription; and the various methods of presenting place name data in multilingual contexts. This study addresses the theoretical foundations and methodological experiences associated with these questions, with particular attention to the regions and languages which link the participating researchers and their empirical work.

Theoretical and practical issues relating to the linguistic classification of place names in a bilingual context

2025-09-19T08:18:20+00:00

Linguistic and ethnolinguistic research based on place names has a long tradition, and in recent years, increased attention has been paid to the toponymic systems of multilingual regions. In connection with this, I conducted a study in three bilingual settlements: a Hungarian–Slovak community (Háromhuta), a Hungarian–Swabian community (Hercegkút), and a Hungarian–Rusyn community (Komlóska). During the research, several methodological challenges emerged. One of the main issues is that,
when working with data collected through spoken Hungarian, it is often difficult to clearly delineate whether a name belongs to the Slovak, Swabian, Rusyn, or Hungarian naming system. Another key aspect deserving special attention is the distinction between one-part and two-part place name structures. The most effective approach here is to base the analysis on the actual language and naming practices of the local speech community. The aim of this paper is to draw attention to these issues, which call for consideration not only from a theoretical, but also from a practical perspective. My findings are presented in two parts: first, I address the question of name affiliation with different naming systems; second, I examine the problems related to the delimitation of one-part and two-part place names, along with possible solutions.

The naming and translational characteristics of Hungarian-Slovak street name pairs in Dunajská Streda/Dunaszerdahely in Slovakia

2025-09-19T08:18:20+00:00

This study examines the naming and translation characteristics of contemporary bilingual Hungarian-Slovak street name pairs (183 pairs in total) in the town of Dunajská Streda. The analysis identifies several translation strategies: transfer, transcription, name substitution, semantic calque or partial translation, and partial modification. These translation procedures may also appear in combination. A key factor influencing the translation method is whether the street name (or name element) derives from a proper noun or a common noun. Proper-noun-derived street names are based on personal names and place names. The corpus includes many streets named after historical Hungarian figures or persons associated with the region. Personal name elements are most commonly transferred directly into the target language without modification. In contrast, place-name-derived street names tend to be translated using name substitution, i.e., by replacing the source name with its conventional proper-noun equivalent in the target language. Common-noun-derived street names refer to the spatial relation to external objects or circumstances, intrinsic features of the location, or relative spatial relations to other places. These names are typically translated into the target language using semantic calques.

Onomastic structures in the hydronymy of the 11th century

2025-09-19T08:18:20+00:00

This study presents the results of an onomastic structural analysis of 11^th-century hydronyms. The research had two main objectives: first, to compile a dataset of hydronyms that, based on present scholarly knowledge, can plausibly be attributed to the 11^th century: and second, to provide a comprehensive overview of the structural characteristics of the earliest stratum of hydronymy in the Carpathian Basin. The analysis draws extensively on the results of the past fifteen years of historical linguistic research, particularly on the re-evaluation of early written sources containing fragmentary name material. The dataset comprises approximately 140 hydronyms which have been examined according to referent type (major, medium and small rivers; wells; lakes; fishponds; marshes). This categorization reflects the fact that the structural (morphological) and functional (semantic) formation of name units differs according to the referent type, following naming patterns characteristic of each group. The interpretation of the earliest sporadic sources is fraught with uncertainty, making precise statistical analysis virtually impossible. Nonetheless, even approximate distributions may reveal relevant insights into the Carpathian Basin’s early hydronymic structure.

Comments on the linguistic analysis of forged diplomas

2025-09-19T08:18:20+00:00

The paper presents an analysis of the toponymic elements found in a forged charter from Veszprém in Western Hungary, which bears the date 1082 but was composed in the 1320s. The study has a dual aim; first, to assess the historical, linguistic and onomastic value of the document; and second, to contribute to broader scholarship on medieval forgeries. Following a general introduction to the charter and its context, the discussion addresses the chronological stratification of the toponyms and characteristic paleographic features of the source. The core section of the study consists of a dictionary-style analysis of 31 toponyms, whose historical authenticity might plausibly be attributed to the 11^th–12^th centuries, based on an investigation into the charter’s web of contextual details. Each entry includes localization data and an etymological commentary. Based primarily on phonetic and orthographic features, the study attempts to date the toponymic fragments. The findings indicate that the charter preserves only a small number of elements that may genuinely date from the 11^th–12^th centuries and further suggest that a non-extant charter from 1152 may have served as a source for the present forgery.

The personal names of 16th to 17th-century Bereg County batkos

2025-09-19T08:18:20+00:00

Among the most important sources for onomastic and diachronic name research are the 17^th-century ‘urbaria’ (land surveys) and tax records from the Mukachevo/Munkács and Chynadiyovo/ (Bereg)szentmiklós estates. In the history of Bereg County, the roughly century-long period from the mid-16^th to the mid-17^th century represents one of the most significant eras. During this time, the repopulation of previously uninhabited areas was largely carried out by kenezes (village founders and settler recruiters), while the spiritual and religious needs of the new communities were served by Rusyn priests known as batkos. These untrained clergy members, who were often forced into their positions by circumstances, played an important role in maintaining community cohesion and ensuring the survival of villages. This study examines the name forms of the batkos based on two Latin and three Hungarian-language urbaria, covering nearly eight decades. It seeks to address the following question: why, unlike the occupational title kenez, the title batko did not give rise to a large number of hereditary surnames? Through the analysis of this name type and the associated processes of name formation, the author sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of personal naming practices in the historical county of Bereg.

Trends in new name applications in Hungary

2025-09-19T08:18:20+00:00

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.

Question types relating to proper names consultations at the Language Consulting Service

2025-09-19T08:18:20+00:00

This study aims to present the main types of proper name inquiries, featuring in the correspondence of the Language Consulting Service at the Hungarian Research Centre for Linguistics. The analysis is based on emails received by the service between 2011 and 2022. Using a dynamic and partially hierarchical coding system, we extracted inquiries concerning proper names. The analysis reveals that 90% of the questions related to proper names concern spelling issues. Within this category, we distinguished between (1) relatively straightforward cases answerable based on existing orthographic rules and dictionaries, (2) questions concerning unregulated areas, and (3) questions referring to problematic, inconsistent, and/or contradictory codification. These cases highlight the need for future codification efforts to address inconsistencies and provide clearer guidance.

New orthographical questions relating to proper names

2025-09-19T08:18:20+00:00

This paper provides a brief historical overview of the treatment of proper noun categories in key Hungarian orthographic codifications. It examines a holistic approach to proper nouns and their corresponding spelling (single initial, hyphenation, all capital initials, and separate spelling with an indisputable suffix). The study categorizes revisions to the proper nouns chapter of the 2015 orthographic codification manual according to the nature of the change: deletion of a rule, amendment of a rule, or introduction of a new rule. Particular attention is paid to the increased optionality of proper noun spelling variations, which is more widespread than previously true, particularly in the case of institutional names, especially those containing initials. The second part of the paper outlines the issues and problems represented in the new Osiris Helyesírás [Osiris Orthography], which are either not reflected in the codification, or which raise new questions deserving further consideration. The focus is on phenomena affecting the spelling of geographic and institutional names, such as the spelling of place names, including district names, and the spelling of localization names. The Osiris Helyesírás offers provisional recommendations on these matters, with the responsibility for final codification being deferred to future scholarly consensus or academic orthographic regulation.

The role of ICOS (International Council of Onomastic Sciences) in onomastic scholarship

2025-09-19T08:18:20+00:00

This paper provides a brief overview of the objectives and functions of the International Council of Onomastic Sciences (ICOS). To this end, it first situates ICOS within the broader framework of name studies organizations at various levels, as this context is essential for understanding the ICOS’s role, responsibilities and potential. Special attention is given to its key forums and working groups, as well as to its contribution to the training of future generations of scholars. Finally, the paper briefly touches upon the presence and involvement of Hungarian onomasticians within the ICOS.

Pre-Indo-European roots in Romanian toponyms of Hungarian origin?

2025-09-19T08:18:20+00:00

In 2024, Peter Lang published An Etymological Dictionary of the Romanian Language by Sorin Paliga, Associate Professor of Slavic Studies at the University of Bucharest, as part of its South-East European History series. The dictionary devotes considerable attention to toponymy: place name entries account for at least 30% of the entries. What is more, around 70% of the Romanian toponyms discussed are of Hungarian origin. Paliga seeks to demonstrate that all place names previously regarded – often unequivocally – as of Hungarian origin (e.g. Oradea < Várad, Orlat < *Váralatt, Ardeal < Erdély, Chioar < Kővár, Hunedoara < Hunyadvár, Orăștie < *Várasti, Timișoara < Temesvár, Arad < Arad, Ardud < Erdőd, Archiș < Árkos, Ardusat < Erdőszáda) are, in fact, of Pre-Indo-European origin, transmitted into the Romanian language through the medium of Thracian. To support this claim, he identifies phoneme clusters in each name that appear similar to supposed Pre-Indo-European roots (*OR-, *UR-, *AR-). This study considers Paliga’s toponymic etymologies as arbitrary, as he both disregards the findings of earlier place name research and the established methods of historical linguistics and phonetic reconstruction.

Report on the 28th International Congress of Onomastic Sciences

2025-09-19T08:18:20+00:00

The 28^th International Congress of Onomastic Sciences (ICOS) took place in Helsinki, Finland, from 19 to 23 August 2024. After the previous congress – held online due to the global pandemic – this year’s event marked a return to face-to-face participation, while still offering the option of remote attendance and online presentations. The congress was jointly organized by the University of Helsinki and the University of Turku. The overarching theme, Sustainability of names, naming, and onomastics, explored the contemporary challenges and opportunities faced by onomastic research in the digital age. Presentations covered a broad spectrum of topics, addressing the cultural, economic, and ideological dimensions of names, as well as their role in shaping and maintaining identity. The discussions spanned multiple historical periods and geographical settings, ranging from urban environments and national parks to imaginary literary worlds. The congress attracted participants from 29 countries. The academic program included 223 section papers and three plenary lectures, complemented by a poster session and two symposia. The symposia examined, respectively, the regulation of minority place-name usage in Europe and the use of personal names in multicultural contexts. Several ICOS working groups also convened during the congress. At the ICOS General Assembly, a new executive board was elected for the forthcoming three-year term. Notably, Erzsébet Győrffy (University of Debrecen) was among those elected to the board. The Assembly also decided that the 29th ICOS Congress will be hosted in Vienna, Austria, from 16 to 20 August 2027.

Toponymic patterns in medieval Hungary

2025-09-16T04:10:53+00:00

This dissertation’s main aim is to delineate the toponymic patterns of three major regions in the eastern part of the Carpathian Basin – defined by natural geographical features and demarcated by the catchment areas of four significant rivers (Sebes-Körös, Upper Szamos, Maros, and Kis-Küküllő) – through a functional analysis of their early Old Hungarian onomastic material. The application of more recent methods to the investigation, such as relative chronology and historical place-name reconstruction, ensures this work contributes new insights to the still-debated chronological questions of historical place-name typology, as well as reconsidering selected earlier place-name etymologies. The chief scholarly contribution of all these inquiries lies, through the lessons of name and language history, in clarifying linguistic and ethnic issues relating to the Carpathian Basin’s early history.

PhD theses on Onomastics defended in 2024: Éva Hankusz

2025-09-16T04:10:51+00:00

The brief summaries and the most important data of onomastic PhD dissertations defended successfully at doctoral schools in Hungary are published regularly in Névtani Értesítő: year of completion, size of dissertation, consultant, opponents, date of defence. – The dissertations can be found in the libraries of the respective universities and repositories. – The dissertation presented here: Éva Hankusz: Toponym studies in the Hungarian-Romanian-Ukrainian border region.

Oliviu Felecan – Alina Bugheşiu eds., Name and Naming. Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Onomastics „Name and Naming”. Multiculturalism in Onomastics

2025-09-16T04:10:49+00:00

Ferenc Vörös ed., A nyelvföldrajztól a névföldrajzig XI. Múltidéző neveink. A 2020. október 2-i kolozsvári online névföldrajzi tanácskozás előadásai

2025-09-16T04:10:47+00:00

Ferenc Vörös, Név- és nyelvhasználat a magyar nyelvterület peremvidékén

2025-09-16T04:10:45+00:00

Ottó Vörös, Szülőföld, nyelv, tudomány

2025-09-16T04:10:40+00:00

Zsuzsa Szilágyi-Varga, Helynév-szociológiai vizsgálatok a Partiumban

2025-09-16T04:10:32+00:00

Zsuzsa Szilágyi-Varga, A bihari Felső-Hegyköz helynevei

2025-09-16T04:10:22+00:00

Magdaléna Kiss, A Körösmente folyóvízneveinek névrendszertani vizsgálata

2025-09-16T04:10:08+00:00

Frédéric Giraut – Myriam Houssay-Holzschuch coord., The Politics of Place Naming. Naming the World

2025-09-16T04:09:52+00:00

Eszter Sztrákos, Az elnevezés ereje. Címadás a magyar képzőművészetben

2025-09-16T04:09:24+00:00

Leonid Chernovatyi – Eugen Schochenmaier, Reference dictionary of Ukrainian Names. With pronunciation and etymology. English–Ukrainian and Ukrainian–English

2025-09-16T04:09:05+00:00

Emese Fazakas ed., B. Gergely Piroska

2025-09-16T04:08:39+00:00

Recently received books on Hungarian onomastics

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Onoma 59. (2024)

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Names. A Journal of Onomastics 72. (2024)

2025-09-16T04:08:04+00:00

Rivista Italiana di Onomastica 30. (2024)

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Namenkundliche Informationen 116. (2024)

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Onomastica 67. (2023)

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Onomastica 68. (2024)

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Acta onomastica 65. (2024)

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Problems of Onomastics / Вопросы oномастики 21. (2024)

2025-09-16T04:07:26+00:00

Nordisk tidskrift för socioonomastik 3. (2023)

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Nordisk tidskrift för socioonomastik 4. (2024)

2025-09-16T04:07:22+00:00

Namn och bygd 112. (2024)

2025-09-16T04:07:19+00:00

Attila Hegedűs (1954–2025)

2025-09-16T04:07:14+00:00

László Fülöp (1944–2025)

2025-09-16T04:07:08+00:00

To our authors

2025-09-16T04:07:01+00:00