Kis is a Hungarian surname, primarily a variant of Kiss, one of the most common surnames in Hungary. Both Kis and Kiss originate from the Hungarian adjective kis, meaning "small" or "little." This nickname was likely originally used to describe a person of short stature, as a term of endearment, or to differentiate a younger individual (e.g., a son from a father) in a community where descriptive names were common before hereditary surnames became fixed. The surname thus belongs to a widespread category of European surnames based on physical characteristics or familial distinctions. Kis is a less common variant of the more frequent Kiss. According to Hungarian onomastic conventions, variants often occur due to regional pronunciation differences, simplifications in spelling over time, or official changes in surname form during administrative reforms. The root word kis remains the same, but Kiss (with double s) is by far the standard spelling, likely influenced by the Hungarian orthographic tradition where — like in many languages — single and double consonants can distinguish morphologically different forms (though in this case they represent the same pronunciation). The single-s spelling Kis may reflect an older or more archaic graphical tradition. Though not as common as Kiss, Kis is distributed across Hungary, particularly in central and eastern regions. It is also found in small numbers among emigrant Hungarian communities in Romania (Transylvania), Slovakia, and other neighboring states. It’s important not to confuse this surname with the unrelated linguistic term or the Korean personal name; in context, Kis is uniquely Hungarian. The surname has no documented notable bearers of widespread fame in English-language sources. Because Kis is a minor variant of a majority surname, genealogical context is important: records often normalize to Kiss, so family history research might encounter double s form in official documents even where individuals used singular Kis in private life. The lack of inflected forms in modern surname use distinguishes it from German or Slavic equivalents like Klein or Malý, which carry similar meanings through different linguistic family roots. Meaning: “small, little” (nickname for size/age) Origin: Hungarian Type: Surname (variant of Kiss) Usage regions: Hungary, Hungarian diaspora