Balla

Balla is a toponym and surname found in Europe, used to refer to places as well as families.

As a place name, Balla most commonly refers to a village in County Mayo, Ireland, located in the western part of the country. The locality is part of the Irish rural landscape and appears in regional and local histories, maps, and genealogical records.

As a surname, Balla is present in several European traditions, most notably in Hungary, where it is a relatively common family name. In Hungarian contexts, the surname may be toponymic or derived from geographic origins, and it is carried by individuals and families in Hungary and among Hungarian diaspora communities.

The name Balla also appears in various other European contexts as a place name or surname, reflecting historical patterns of migration, settlement, and language contact. Etymologically, the origins of Balla differ by region: Gaelic-derived use in Ireland and Hungarian-derived use in Central Europe are among the most frequently cited explanations.

Due to its multiple uses, Balla may refer to different places or people depending on context. In scholarly, genealogical, or travel references, clarification is often required to distinguish between the Irish village, Hungarian surname usage, and any other regional toponyms sharing the same spelling.