Abstract
The author examines the occurrences of the names Gáspár (Caspar), Menyhért (Melchior) and Boldizsár (Balthasar) in the naming practices of the nobility in medieval and early modern times. Comparing the period of the first appearances and first portrayals of the Three Magi as patron saints with the era of the occurrences of the names in pairs or in trios within noble families, the author concludes that the cult of these saints in Hungary was at its height in the 15th century and naming practices followed the trend in cult with some slight delay. Striking conformity is observed when locations of the appearances and portrayals as patron saints are compared to the locations of the manors of the name bearers. These three names are considered to be rare; thus, their appearances mainly in regions of Northern Hungary and Transylvania inhabited by German miners as well as in western counties affected by the flourishing cult of the saints in the nearby Holy Roman Empire clearly reflect the influence of the popularity of the saints on naming practices.
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