[Surname] Re: Wajda
in reply to a message by Katie
A few dictionaries say the name comes from Hungarian 'wajda' - 'a commander'. A few add that this Hungarian word is a shortened form of an old Slavic word 'wojewoda' (the same meaning). The name is popular in Poland and in Hungary.
Replies
Yes, if there is a Hungarian word "vajda" comind from Slavic "wojewoda", then this name can be of Hungarian origin. Note, however, the spelling: the letter W is not used in Hungarian while the letter "V" is not used in Polish. So, that name has a Polish spelling.
True, but I've heard that this name in Hungary is also spelled Wajda (I'm not sure of that, though. I've read it somewhere in the web).
The letter W does feature in some Hungarian surnames, the spelling having being established before the written language was standardised and the W discarded.