Balázs (Hungarian pronunciation: [ˈbɒlaːʒ]) is a Hungarian surname and male given name, equivalent to the French name Blaise. The name can be traced back to the Latin Blaesus (later Blasius) family. One branch of the gens Cornelia distinguished itself with this name from the rest of the family. The Hungarian variant was formed by consonant cluster reduction in the Latin version by inserting an 'a' sound.[1]

Balázs
Gendermasculine
Language(s)Hungarian
Name dayFebruary 3
Origin
Language(s)Latin
MeaningDisputed
Other names
Nickname(s)Bazsi, Bali, Balu
Anglicisation(s)Blaise

Etymology

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The etymology of the word is disputed. In some explanations, the Latin name Blasius has been identified with the Greek Basileus, meaning 'royal'.[1] Other sources explain the meaning of the name as a combination of two words. According to those, the prefix is blandus ('affable') or belasius~bel ('dress'), while in the suffix syros ('small') lies.[1]

As a settlement name

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The name often appears as a toponym as well,[1] but sometimes it is only present or recognizable in the Hungarian variant of the settlement's name:

Notable persons

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As a surname:

As a given name:

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Fercsik; Raátz 2009, p64–66

Sources

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  • Fercsik, Erzsébet; Raátz, Judit (2009). Keresztnevek enciklopédiája (PDF) (in Hungarian). Budapest: Tinta Könyvkiadó. ISBN 978 963 9902 18 3.