Elnökelné

Elnökelné is a Hungarian surname. It is derived from the Hungarian word "elnök," meaning president or chairman, with the suffix "-né" indicating that the wearer is the wife of someone with that surname or profession. Therefore, "elnökelné" literally translates to "the wife of the president" or "the wife of the chairman." This is a common way for married women in Hungary to adopt their husband's surname, with the addition of the "-né" suffix.

The surname itself, while uncommon as a standalone given name, signifies a familial connection to a position of leadership or authority. Historically, this could refer to a president of a village, a chairman of a cooperative, or a head of a significant organization. In modern usage, it continues to indicate the marital status and the husband's surname, which may or may not still be associated with a formal leadership role.

The prevalence of surnames like "elnökelné" reflects a traditional aspect of Hungarian naming conventions for married women. While it is still used, contemporary Hungarian women have more options, including retaining their maiden name, hyphenating surnames, or using their husband's surname without the "-né" suffix, depending on personal preference and legal regulations. The historical context of "elnökelné" is rooted in a society where familial titles and professions played a more prominent role in surname formation and recognition.