Origin and meaning of the name Imre

The given name "Imre" is of Hungarian origin. It is a variant of Emmerich or Emeric, which have Germanic roots. The name is derived from the elements "emero" meaning "earth" and "ric" meaning "power" or "rule." Imre has been used as a given name in Hungary since the Middle Ages. Famous people with this name include Imre Nagy, who was a Hungarian communist politician and Premier of Hungary from 1953 to 1955.

Learn more about the origin of the name Imre

The meaning, etymology, and origin of the name Imre

Imre is a given name of Hungarian origin, derived from the Old Hungarian name Emmerich, which stems from the German name Emeric or Eméricus. The name Emmerich means "richearth" in German, originally referring to someone whose property was fertile and productive. The name was popularized by Saint Emeric of Hungary (1007–1031), the son of King Stephen I of Hungary. In Hungarian, Imre is often a diminutive or abbreviated form of the more common name Endre, which also derives from Emmerich. The name Imre has been in use since medieval times and remains a popular given name among Hungarians today.

Character traits associated with the name Imre

Imre is often associated with traits such as independence, determination, and creativity. Individuals named Imre are typically independent thinkers who value their own ideas and are not afraid to challenge the status quo. They possess a strong sense of determination, working diligently towards their goals and refusing to be deterred by obstacles. Their creative nature allows them to come up with innovative solutions to problems and find new approaches to familiar challenges. Imre individuals are also known for being passionate about their interests and pursuits, dedicating themselves fully to the things they care about. However, they may sometimes struggle with impulsiveness and a tendency to act without considering potential consequences. Overall, Imre is a name that suggests a strong-willed, imaginative, and ambitious individual.

Popularity of the name Imre

Imre is a male given name of Hungarian origin, derived from the Hebrew name "Hermann." In Hungary, it was popular during the 20th century but has seen a decline in usage since then. According to data from the Central Statistical Office of Hungary, in 2019, Imre ranked at number 438 among the most common given names for newborn boys, with only 56 babies born with this name that year. However, it remains a well-known and recognizable name within Hungarian communities due to its historical significance. Notable figures named Imre include Imre Nagy, a former Prime Minister of Hungary who played a significant role in the Hungarian Revolution of 1956.

Famous people with the name Imre

Imre (Emil) Jakab (1889-1962) was a Hungarian physicist known for his contributions to X-ray crystallography and its application to biology. He was a student of Ludwig Boltzmann and discovered the Jakob-Winslow equation, which relates the electric conductivity of a gas to the mean free path of the electrons. Imre Kertész (1929-2016), born Imre Lévy, was a Hungarian writer who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2002 for his novel "Fateless". The book is an autobiographical account of his experiences as a Jewish teenager in Auschwitz. Imre Nagy (1896-1958) was a Hungarian communist politician who served as Prime Minister of Hungary from 1953 to 1955. He led the anti-Soviet Hungarian Revolution of 1956, but was executed by the Soviets after the revolution was crushed. Imre Madách (1823-1864) was a Hungarian playwright and poet best known for his epic drama "The Tragedy of Man" (1862), which is considered one of the great works of Hungarian literature.

Variations of the name Imre

Imre is a male given name of Hungarian origin, which has several variants and spellings in different languages. Here are some variations:

1. Emmerich - A German version of Imre, derived from the Old High German "Imma" meaning "home" or "dwelling" combined with the Frankish "rich" meaning "power".
2. Emeryk - The Polish variation of Imre, which is also used in other Slavic languages.
3. Imro - A Hungarian diminutive form of Imre.
4. Eme - A shortened form or nickname for Imre in some informal settings.
5. Emito - A possible Italian variation of Imre, although this is less common and may be a typographical error or misinterpretation.
6. Imri - A Hebrew name that has the same pronunciation as Imre but means "my light" in Hebrew.
7. Emri - An Albanian name that bears some resemblance to Imre, although it has a different etymology and meaning (meaning "ruler" or "king" in Albanian).
8. Aemilius - A Latin name not directly related to Imre but shares similar phonetics; it was a common Roman family name.
9. Imrihan - An Arabic name that combines the elements "Imr" (meaning "lady") and "-an" (a suffix meaning "son of"). It could be seen as a distant relative to Imre, although the connection is tenuous at best.

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the first name "imre"
• Global distribution of the first name on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 29 July 2025

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