szende

Szende is a Hungarian surname and, less commonly, a given name. The name derives from the Hungarian adjective szende, meaning "meek, modest, gentle." Historically used as a descriptive nickname for a person’s disposition, it later became a hereditary surname. In given-name usage, Szende is rare in contemporary Hungary but appears in older or rural records.

The surname is most commonly found in Hungary and among Hungarian communities in neighboring countries, such as Slovakia, Romania (especially Transylvania), and Serbia, as well as within Hungarian diaspora communities abroad. Spelling variants are uncommon, and the name typically retains its original form in modern records.

Pronunciation and linguistic notes: In Hungarian, sz is pronounced like an English s, so Szende is spoken roughly as “SEN-de.” The name is clearly identifiable as Hungarian in multilingual contexts and can be encountered across various professional and social backgrounds due to migration and population movements.

Notable bearers and usage: Szende appears among individuals in historical and contemporary Hungarian records, including people in fields such as arts, academia, and public life. As with many Hungarian names, bearers may carry regional family histories that reflect the broader Hungaro-Slavic and Central European intercultural milieu.