Surname Kovacs - Meaning and Origin
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Kovacs: What does the surname Kovacs mean?
The last name Kovacs is of Hungarian origin and is derived from the Latin word "covaci", which means blacksmith. This follows the tradition of occupations that many Hungarians adopted as their last name. Kovacs is a common last name in Hungary and other countries such as Romania and Slovenia.
Kovacs means approximately the same across countries, however, in some cases it is also believed to have evolved from an older meaning of “falcon” or “raven” – birds which were revered in the past as symbols of freedom and strength.
The surname Kovacs is sometimes spelled with an “h” at the end, making the word “Kovach”. This isn’t much of a difference in the meaning, but it may be due to the different languages and customs of the countries in which this surname is found.
The Kovacs surname has its roots in the interchanging of cultures and languages, and stands for freedom and strength. It should come to no surprise that those with the last name of Kovacs are often found to be strong-willed and determined. This can often lead them to success in business, family life, and other areas.
Order DNA origin analysisKovacs: Where does the name Kovacs come from?
The surname Kovacs is quite a common surname in Central and Eastern European countries such as Hungary and Slovakia. It is also quite common among Hungarian speakers in other countries such as Serbia and Romania. In the United States, Kovacs is found primarily among immigrants from these countries, including the many who were part of the massive migration of Hungarian-speaking people to the United States during the early to mid-20th century.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Kovacs is currently the 837th most commonly used surname in the United States, and has been steadily growing in popularity since the 1920s. Most of the people with this surname are found primarily in states with strong Hungarian populations, such as New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and California. According to a 2016 report, the three states with the highest concentration of Kovacs are California, New York, and Texas. This most likely reflects the number of Hungarians who migrated to the U.S. during the 19th and 20th centuries in search of economic opportunity.
Despite its Hungarian origin, Kovacs is now encountered around the world, especially in locations where Hungarian speakers settled in past decades. In Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada, it is not uncommon to find Kovacs among descendants of Hungarian immigrants. In all three countries, the name is listed among the top 500 most common surnames. Additionally, it can be found in multiple countries around the globe, such as Mexico, Colombia, Japan, Namibia, and even Kenya.
Variations of the surname Kovacs
The surname Kovacs is a common Hungarian surname thought to have originated with the meaning of “blacksmith” or “metalworker” from the Old Slavonic word “kovati”. It's variants are often spelled Kaplon, Kaploun, Kovács, Kovacs, Kovách, Kovac, and Kovach.
In Hungary’s ancient language, Kovacs meant “son of blacksmith” as descendants of a Hungarian master blacksmith. It is believed to have emerged as a family name in the former Austro-Hungarian Empire, which was comprised of parts in Romania, Poland, Slovakia, Serbia, and Croatia.
The surname is one of the most common family names throughout Romania and Hungary. Romanian spellings for the name consist of Kovács, Kovacs, Kováş, Kovas, or Kovăş. Similarly, it's Croatian spelling is Kovac or Kovacic. The surname is also relatively common in Slovakia, with the spelling Kováč, Kovacs, or Kovach.
In the United States, the surname is most common in California, New York, and Ohio. Throughout Europe, the surname also flourishes in the United Kingdom, Austria, and Germany. Aside from Kovacs, other spellings of the surname also includes Kowal, Kowalski, Koval, and Kowalko, while surnames of similar origin are Kowatsch and Kowalewski.
Kovacs is a multi-ethnic surname derived from many European countries. It is an enduring name and is often found in many innovative areas such as business, entertainment, politics, science, and sports.
Surnames of similar origin not exclusively include Kovacs, but also variants and spellings of the same name such as Kovács, Kaplon, Kaploun, Kováci, Kovac, Kovach, Kovachic, Kováš, Kowal, Kowalko, Kowalski, Koval, Kowatsch, and Kowalewski.
Famous people with the name Kovacs
- Ernie Kovacs (1919–1962): Actor and comedian known for his hilariously absurd visual gags and style of comedy.
- Diane Kovacs: Amateur bodybuilder who was the first female president of the International Federation of Body Builders.
- John Kovacs (1924–1923): Hungarian-American actor known for his role in the film The Stranger Beside Me.
- Abigail Kovacs (b. 1991): American electronic musician signed to Mute Records.
- Zoltan Kovacs (1925–2008): Hungarian actor who appeared in over 100 films.
- Yvette Nicole Brown (b. 1971): American actress best known for her roles in the series Community and The Odd Couple. She was born Yvette Nicole Kovacs.
- Nandor Kovacs (b. 1953): Hungarian-born handball player considered one of the greatest of all time.
- Peter Kovacs (b. 1948): Hungarian boxer and Olympian who won a bronze medal for Hungary at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
- Gyorgy Kovacs (b. 1954): Hungarian psychologist and educator who has written extensively on issues related to lifelong learning and adult education.
- Ilona Kovacs (1927–2020): Her career spanned multiple decades and she was known for her roles in both stage and film. She was born in Romania and also acted in a few movies in the US.