névtelen

Névtelen is a Hungarian adjective meaning anonymous or nameless. It is used to describe a person or thing whose name is not given or is unknown, and it can indicate a lack of identification in various contexts. In everyday language it appears in phrases such as névtelen feladó (anonymous sender), névtelen forrás (anonymous source), or névtelen hozzászóló (anonymous commenter). In journalism and online discourse, névtelen forrás or névtelen kommentátor is common, reflecting the debate around attribution, credibility, and accountability.

Etymology: the word is formed from név, meaning name, and the suffix -telen, which denotes absence or negation. Thus névtelen literally translates to “without a name.”

In literature and culture, névtelen can function as a descriptive label for unnamed or faceless figures, or as a thematic device related to anonymity, identity, or privacy. It may also appear in fictional titles or as a generic stand-in when the author wishes to emphasize the lack of identification or the idea of an everyman figure.

See also: Anonymous, anonymity, pseudonym. The concept of anonymity, including its legal and ethical dimensions in journalism and digital communication, continues to shape discussions about source credibility, privacy, and freedom of expression.