200+ Korean First Names – List of Korean First and Surnames

Explore a diverse list of over 200 Korean first names and surnames. Discover the beauty and meaning behind Korean first names.

List of Korean First and Surnames

Explore lists featuring prevalent South Korean family names and Korean first names below. All information is presented in English (US) for your convenience.

List of Korean Surnames and Meanings

Discover a compilation of popular Korean surnames presented in both English and Hangul, accompanied by their respective meanings. This list provides insights into the significance of each surname, all presented in English (US) language for your convenience.

List of Korean First Names and Meanings

Explore our compilation of popular Korean first names presented in both English and Hangul, accompanied by the meanings of each native Korean word. Delve into the rich cultural tapestry of Korea through this collection, providing insights into the significance and beauty of these names. Please note that the content is written in English (US) language for your convenience.

Korean First Names Traditions

In Korean culture, first names hold significant importance and are often chosen with care to convey meaningful messages or aspirations for the child’s future. Here are some common traditions and aspects associated with Korean first names:

1. Syllables and Hanja:
   • Korean names are typically composed of two syllables, though some may have just one or three.
   • Hanja (Chinese characters) are sometimes used in Korean names, especially by those who want to convey a particular meaning. However, this practice has become less common in recent years.
2. Generational Meanings:
   • It’s common for siblings to share a common syllable in their names, creating a sense of unity within the family.
   • Each generation within a family may share a certain character in their names, creating a generational connection.
3. Birth Order Significance:
   • The order of birth can influence the choice of characters in a name. For example, the first-born might have a name expressing hope or expectation, while the second-born may have a name related to achievement or success.
4. Meaningful Aspirations:
   • Parents often choose names with positive meanings or aspirations for their children. Common themes include intelligence, beauty, success, and virtue.
5. Sound Harmony:
   • The harmony of sounds in a name is considered important. Parents often choose names that sound pleasant when spoken together, and they may avoid combinations that create awkward or disharmonious sounds.
6. Modern Trends:
   • In recent times, there’s been a trend towards using unique and creative names, departing from traditional and common names. However, traditional names are still widely appreciated.
7. Influence of Popular Culture:
   • Names of famous personalities or characters from literature, movies, or television shows can also influence naming trends. Parents might choose a name associated with a beloved figure or a popular cultural phenomenon.
8. Respect for Ancestors:
   • Some families may choose names that honor or carry on the legacy of ancestors. This could involve using characters from the names of grandparents or other respected family members.
9. Consulting Professionals:
   • Some parents seek advice from professionals like name consultants or fortune tellers to ensure that the chosen name brings positive energy and fortune to the child.

How to Pronounce Korean First Names in Korean

Pronouncing Korean names correctly involves understanding the Korean alphabet, Hangul, and the specific sounds associated with each character. Here’s a general guide to help you pronounce Korean first names:

1. Understand Hangul:
   • Familiarize yourself with the Korean alphabet, Hangul. It consists of characters representing consonants and vowels. Each syllable is typically composed of one or more consonants and a vowel.
2. Consonant Pronunciation:
   • Some common consonants include ㄱ (g/k), ㄴ (n), ㄷ (d/t), ㄹ (r/l), ㅁ (m), ㅂ (b/p), and ㅇ (ng, silent at the beginning of a syllable).
   • Pay attention to the sound change of certain consonants based on their position in a syllable. For example, ㄱ may sound like “g” at the beginning but more like “k” at the end.
3. Vowel Pronunciation:
   • Common vowels include ㅏ (a), ㅓ (eo), ㅗ (o), ㅜ (u), and ㅣ (i).
   • Vowels can be pronounced with short or long sounds, and some vowels may change their sounds when combined with certain consonants.
4. Double Consonants and Vowels:
   • Pay attention to double consonants (e.g., ㄲ, ㄸ, ㅃ) and double vowels (e.g., ㅐ, ㅔ, ㅢ). These are pronounced with extra emphasis or duration.
5. Dipthongs:
   • Be aware of diphthongs, which are combinations of vowels that create a single sound. Common examples include ㅑ (ya), ㅕ (yeo), ㅛ (yo), ㅠ (yu), and ㅢ (ui).
6. Romanization:
   • Romanization systems like the Revised Romanization of Korean or the McCune-Reischauer system are often used to represent Korean words using the Latin alphabet. However, relying solely on Romanization may not capture all the nuances of Korean pronunciation.
7. Listen and Imitate:
   • The best way to learn the correct pronunciation is to listen to native speakers and practice imitating the sounds. Online resources, language apps, and language exchange with native speakers can be helpful.
8. Seek Feedback:
   • If possible, seek feedback from native speakers to improve your pronunciation. They can provide guidance on specific sounds that may be challenging for non-native speakers.

Remember that Korean pronunciation may differ from English, and practicing regularly is key to improving your skills. Additionally, variations in regional accents and individual preferences may contribute to different pronunciations.

How to Write Korean First Names in English

Writing Korean first names in English typically involves using the Romanization system to represent the sounds of the Korean characters with Latin alphabet letters. The most widely used Romanization systems are the Revised Romanization of Korean and the McCune-Reischauer system. Here’s a guide to writing Korean first names in English:

Revised Romanization of Korean:

1. Consonants:
   • ㄱ (g/k), ㄴ (n), ㄷ (d/t), ㄹ (r/l), ㅁ (m), ㅂ (b/p), ㅅ (s), ㅇ (ng, silent at the beginning), ㅈ (j), ㅊ (ch), ㅋ (k), ㅌ (t), ㅍ (p), ㅎ (h)
2. Vowels:
   • ㅏ (a), ㅓ (eo), ㅗ (o), ㅜ (u), ㅡ (eu), ㅣ (i), ㅐ (ae), ㅔ (e), ㅚ (oe), ㅢ (ui)
3. Diphthongs:
   • ㅑ (ya), ㅕ (yeo), ㅛ (yo), ㅠ (yu), ㅒ (yae), ㅖ (ye), ㅟ (wi), ㅞ (we)

McCune-Reischauer System:

1. Consonants:
   • g, n, d, r, m, b, s, ng (silent at the beginning), j, ch, k, t, p, h
2. Vowels:
   • a, ŏ (eo), o, u, ŭ (eu), i, ae, e, oe, ui
3. Diphthongs:
   • ya, yŏ, yo, yu, yae, ye, wi, we

Examples:

Using the Revised Romanization:

• 김 (Kim) – This common Korean surname is written as “Kim” in English.
• 지원 (Jiwon) – This given name is written as “Jiwon” in English.

Using the McCune-Reischauer System:

• 김 (Kim) – In the McCune-Reischauer system, the same surname is written as “Kim.”
• 지원 (Chiwŏn) – The given name is written as “Chiwon” in the McCune-Reischauer system.

When writing Korean names in English, it’s important to note that there may be variations and personal preferences in the Romanization. Additionally, some sounds in Korean may not have exact equivalents in English, so there might be variations in pronunciation.

Also, see

Korean Last Names