Zoltan

• This common Hungarian name, quite uncommon outside Hungary, is usually said to mean "life," from the Greek "zoe." However, it is an ancient name in Hungary, and Hungarian sources usually link it to the Persian "sultan." Many famous Hungarians, from composers to poets to artists to scientists to athletes, have born this name, and being Hungarian, I want to pass pride in that heritage to my children. For the sake of a child living in the US, as it is not very well-received to many American ears, I would only choose this as a middle name.
• Zoltan Wolfgang is likely what we'll name our first son. Zoltan is Hungarian for "life" or "Sultan" (depending on where you look). My husband helped a customer at work a while back with this name and we've been talking about it ever since. And now my parents have received a call to serve as missionaries in Budapest for 2 years and they'll be learning Hungarian, so there's another reason. Wolfgang mean "wolf path" in German. I love Mozart and I love the nickname Wolf. Zoltan is also the first name of a composer; Zoltán Kodály, so...double prizes.

This Hungarian name has uncertain origins. It may be connected to the Turkish word for "king" (from which we get the modern word "sultan").

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