Simonyi

Simonyi is a Hungarian surname derived from the given name Simon, often understood as meaning “son of Simon.” It is associated with individuals and, in some cases, with philanthropic foundations and academic endowments named after bearers of the name.

The most widely known bearer of the name is Charles Simonyi (born 1948), a Hungarian‑American software engineer and businessman who played a prominent role at Microsoft, contributing to the development of productivity software such as Word and Excel. After leaving Microsoft, he co‑founded the software company Intentional Software. Simonyi later became a space tourist, flying to the International Space Station on two separate occasions (in 2007 and 2009) aboard Russian spacecraft. In addition to his technical and business activities, he has funded academic initiatives, including endowments and chairs at universities, as part of his philanthropy.

As a surname of Hungarian origin, Simonyi appears in various contexts beyond one individual, including family lines and institutional benefactors who have chosen the name for endowed professorships and other gifts. The term itself does not designate a single institution or concept, but rather a family name associated with notable contributions in technology, spaceflight, and philanthropy.