UK boy's name
Zoltan
Of Hungarian origin, meaning "defender of the king or kingdom".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Zoltan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Zoltan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4270, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2015, with 10 births.
This profile covers 96 England and Wales registrations across 15 recorded years from 2002 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 40% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 95 living people in the UK are called Zoltan. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Zoltan ranked #4270 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2015, when 10 boys were registered as Zoltan.
- • About 95 living people in the UK are estimated to have Zoltan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4270
2024
Births in 2024
4
Latest year
Peak year
2015
10 births
Estimated living
95
2026
Meaning
What does Zoltan mean?
The name Zoltan originates from the Hungarian language and culture, with roots dating back to the 9th century. It is derived from the old Hungarian word "zoltán," which means "lord" or "ruler." The name was likely given to nobility or those of high social status during the Middle Ages in Hungary.
Zoltan has a strong historical presence in Hungarian literature and folklore. One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the Gesta Hungarorum, a 13th-century chronicle that recounts the origin story of the Hungarian people. The name is also mentioned in various medieval documents and records related to the Hungarian nobility.
The earliest recorded person with the name Zoltan was Zoltan of Transylvania, a Hungarian nobleman who lived in the 15th century. Other notable historical figures bearing the name include Zoltan Kodaly (1882-1967), a renowned Hungarian composer and ethnomusicologist who helped revive and preserve traditional Hungarian folk music.
In the realm of literature, Zoltan Meskó (1833-1905) was a prominent Hungarian writer and dramatist during the 19th century. His works often explored the themes of Hungarian nationalism and the struggles of the common people.
Moving into the 20th century, Zoltan Tildy (1889-1961) was a Hungarian politician who served as the first president of the Second Hungarian Republic after World War II. He played a crucial role in the country's transition to democracy during that turbulent period.
Another notable figure was Zoltan Ovary (1940-2022), a Hungarian-American biologist and inventor who made significant contributions to the field of reproductive biology and assisted reproductive technologies, including the development of the first successful human in vitro fertilization procedure.
Zoltan has remained a popular name in Hungary throughout the centuries, carrying a sense of tradition and cultural significance. While its usage may have fluctuated over time, the name continues to be embraced by Hungarian families, often as a way to honor their heritage and national identity.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Zoltan over time
The chart below shows babies named Zoltan registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2002 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Zoltan, the clearest high point is 2015. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2024, compared with 10 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Zoltan by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Zoltan was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #3350 | 29 | 5 |
| 2010s | #2671 | 61 | 8 |
| 2000s | #3876 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Zoltan
- Zachary 29,362
- Zak 9,988
- Zain 7,620
- Zac 7,272
- Zack 7,101
- Zakariya 5,447
- Zach 4,754
- Zayn 4,326
- Zachariah 3,234
- Zion 3,141
- Zane 2,818
- Zayd 2,609
FAQ
Zoltan: questions and answers
How popular is the name Zoltan in the UK right now?
In 2024, Zoltan was ranked #4270 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Zoltan most popular?
The peak year on record was 2015, with 10 babies registered as Zoltan in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Zoltan?
Of Hungarian origin, meaning "defender of the king or kingdom".
How many people are called Zoltan in the UK?
A total of 96 babies have been registered as Zoltan across the 15 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.