Zalan

♂ Boy

Pronounced ZAH-lahn /ˈzɑː.lɑːn/Medium

Meaning: A Hungarian name (Zalan), known from medieval chronicles as a prince defeated by the arriving Magyars, and revived by the poet Mihaly Vorosmarty in his epic on the flight of Zalan. The etymology is debated — Slavic and Turkic roots have both been proposed — so we note the uncertainty.Low

In 30 seconds: A Hungarian name out of legend: Zalan comes from medieval chronicle and epic poetry (said 'ZAH-lahn'). Meaning debated, which we note.

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Origin MediumHungarian

MeaningA Hungarian name (Zalan), known from medieval chronicles as a prince defeated by the arriving Magyars, and revived by the poet Mihaly Vorosmarty in his epic on the flight of Zalan. The etymology is debated — Slavic and Turkic roots have both been proposed — so we note the uncertainty.

U.S. rank (2024)#14198 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2010

Total births (all-time)≈ 77

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Zalan is a Hungarian name known from medieval chronicles, where Zalan is a prince defeated by the arriving Magyars. It was revived in the nineteenth century by Mihaly Vorosmarty's epic poem on the flight of Zalan, and has been used as a given name in Hungary since. Scholars have proposed both Slavic and Turkic roots for the name, and the question is unsettled, which we note (said 'ZAH-lahn').

It appears only rarely for boys in the U.S. Rare here, familiar in Hungary.

Did you know? The Hungarian poet Mihaly Vorosmarty made Zalan famous in the 1820s with an epic poem about the flight of Zalan — a work that helped kindle a national literary revival.

Overall data confidence 38%

References — Zalan — Hungarian name; medieval chronicle; Vorosmarty's epic; etymology debated

Variations

ZalannZolanZalanka

Nicknames

ZalLan

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Zalan mean?

Zalan is a Hungarian name from medieval chronicle and epic poetry; its root is debated, with Slavic and Turkic origins both proposed. We note the uncertainty.

How do you pronounce Zalan?

It's said ZAH-lahn /ˈzɑː.lɑːn/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Zalan a boy or girl name?

Zalan is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Zalan?

Zalan is a very rare name for boys in the U.S., though used in Hungary.