Kyselá

Kyselá is the feminine form of the Czech surname Kyselý. Both are derived from the Czech word kyselý, meaning "sour". In Czech onomastics, suffix variation marks grammatical gender (masculine -ý, feminine -á), so Kyselá is used for women. Surname origins often arose from nicknames, and Kyselý likely referred to a person perceived as having a sullen or sour disposition—a common type of descriptive surname in many cultures.

Distribution

The surname Kyselá is concentrated in the Czech Republic, with a predominantly gender‑specific usage (females carry the -á ending, while males use -ý). It is typical of Czech and Slovak naming conventions, where surname forms often change to reflect the bearer's sex. The masculine version Kyselý is more widespread regionally and ranks modestly among Czech surnames, according to databases such as Forebears.

• Meaning: “Sour” – referring to a person with a sharp temper or melancholic nature
• Origin: Czech, from the adjective kyselý (“sour, acidic”)
• Type: Gender‑inflected descriptive surname (feminine form)
• Usage regions: Czech Republic primarily; less common in Slovakia and among Czech‑speaking diaspora