László

László is a Hungarian masculine given name commonly used in Hungary and among Hungarian-speaking communities. It is the Hungarian form of the medieval name Ladislaus, which itself derives from the Slavic name Ladislav and the Latin Ladislaus. The meaning is usually linked to concepts of glory and rulership, often interpreted as “glorious ruler.”

Historically, the name has strong associations with Hungarian royalty and saints. Saint Ladislaus I, a king of Hungary in the 11th century, helped popularize the name in the region, and later Hungarian rulers continued to bear the form László. In contemporary times, László remains a widespread given name in Hungary.

Diminutives and variants: The common short form is Laci. Variants in other languages include Ladislav (Czech/Slovak), Ladislao (Italian/Spanish), and Ladislaus (Latin). The name is also found in Hungarian-speaking communities outside of Hungary, sometimes adapted in local forms.

Notable people named László include László Bíró (1899–1985), the inventor of the modern ballpoint pen; László Lovász (born 1948), a mathematician; and László Krasznahorkai (born 1954), a critically acclaimed writer. The name has endured in Hungarian culture as a traditional and recognizable given name linked to historical figures and contemporary figures alike.