Korean Letter Names: An Insight into the Structure, Meaning, and Tradition

Korean names are much more than mere identifiers; they carry deep cultural, philosophical, and even astrological significance. Unlike in many Western cultures where names are often chosen based on personal preference or family tradition, Korean names are selected with careful consideration of meaning, virtue, and family heritage. Each part of a Korean name—whether the family name (or surname) or the given name—holds symbolic importance, and even the letters that compose the name contribute to its overall significance.

While Hangul (the Korean alphabet) is the most commonly used script for writing names today, Hanja (Chinese characters) has been the traditional method for writing Korean names for centuries. Understanding Korean letter names involves not only knowing the structure of these names but also understanding how the characters, or letters, work together to convey specific meanings. In this article, we will explore the structure of Korean Letter Names, the role of Hangul and Hanja characters, and how each letter contributes to the meaning behind the name.

The Structure of Korean Letter Names

Korean names follow a distinct pattern that differs from many Western naming conventions. A typical Korean Letter Names consists of three parts:

1. Family Name (Surname): A Korean family name is traditionally one syllable long. There are only a handful of family names in Korea, with Kim (김), Lee (이/리), and Park (박) being the most common. The family name is passed down through generations, typically from the father, and signifies the person’s clan or ancestry.
2. Given Name: The given name is usually two syllables long. These syllables are chosen carefully to reflect virtues, desirable qualities, or wishes for the individual’s future. Each syllable in the given name is composed of one or more characters (written in Hangul or Hanja), and each character carries specific meaning.

Family Name: The First Syllable

The family name is a single-syllable word and usually corresponds to one Hanja character. In Korean tradition, the family name is the most important part of a person’s name because it represents the individual’s clan, ancestry, and lineage. The most common family names in Korea (Kim, Lee, Park) have characters that are both easy to write and are historically significant.

For example:

• 김 (Kim): The character 김 (金) means “gold” or “metal,” symbolizing strength, nobility, or wealth.
• 이 (Lee): The character 이 (李) means “plum tree,” representing beauty, vitality, and growth.
• 박 (Park): The character 박 (朴) means “simple” or “plain,” conveying a sense of humility and integrity.

These family names are passed down through generations and carry the legacy of a specific family or clan. The character for the family name is often chosen for its historical significance and positive connotations.

The Given Name: Meaningful Syllables

The given name in Korean Letter Names is usually two syllables long. Each of these syllables typically corresponds to one Hanja character, and the characters are chosen based on their meanings and the virtues or traits they symbolize. While family names are inherited, given names are often selected with careful consideration by the parents or, in some cases, a naming expert (often using Saemirok, an ancient method of name selection based on astrology and Chinese characters).

Choosing Hanja Characters for Given Names

The two syllables in a given name are usually not randomly chosen, but instead selected to convey a specific meaning. The characters for each syllable represent certain qualities, virtues, or concepts. For example, in many cases, parents might choose a name based on the child’s birthdate, incorporating elements of astrology or balance, or to express their hopes for the child’s future.

Some names may be drawn from the five elements of traditional Korean Letter Names philosophy—wood, fire, earth, metal, and water—to create a name that is balanced or brings luck.

Let’s look at a few examples:

• 지민 (Ji-min)
  • 지 (智) meaning “wisdom” or “intelligence.”
  • 민 (敏) meaning “quick” or “clever.”
• Ji-min combines wisdom and quickness, symbolizing a child who is both intelligent and sharp-witted.
• 하늘 (Ha-neul)
  • 하 (하) can mean “great” or “grand.”
  • 늘 (늘) means “eternal” or “forever.”
• Ha-neul refers to “great eternity” or “vast sky,” symbolizing grandeur and an unbounded future.
• 서준 (Seo-jun)
  • 서 (徐) meaning “gentle” or “calm.”
  • 준 (俊) meaning “handsome,” “talented,” or “outstanding.”
• Seo-jun is a name symbolizing calmness and excellence, a combination of beauty and talent.

The Role of Hangul and Hanja in Korean Letter Names

Historically, Hanja characters were the dominant writing system for Korean names. Hanja are Chinese characters that were adapted to the Korean language, and they are still used in many names today, especially for more formal or traditional contexts. However, Hangul, the modern Korean alphabet, is now commonly used for writing names in everyday life.

Hangul vs. Hanja

• Hangul: The Korean alphabet is a phonetic system that represents the sounds of the Korean Letter Names language. It was created in the 15th century under King Sejong’s reign, with the goal of providing a simpler, more accessible way for common people to write and read the Korean language. While Hangul does not carry the same symbolic weight as Hanja, it is easier to use and is widely adopted today in modern Korean writing.
• Hanja: Hanja characters, derived from Chinese, carry specific meanings, and they were traditionally used in Korean names. Although Hanja is not widely used in day-to-day writing in Korea anymore, many people still use Hanja to write their names, especially in formal documents or legal papers. Each character in Hanja has a meaning beyond the sound, and it’s this meaning that is often the basis for choosing names.

For example:

• The name 민수 (Min-su) might be written in Hangul as 민수, but the Hanja for the name might be 閔秀 (Min – elegant or refined, Su – outstanding or talented).

Even though Hangul is commonly used for writing names, Hanja gives the name an added dimension by reflecting the deeper meaning behind the name.

The Meaning Behind Korean Names

Each syllable in a Korean name is carefully selected to carry positive meanings. Many names are chosen to represent qualities such as:

• Wisdom (智)
• Strength (强)
• Kindness (仁)
• Beauty (美)
• Peace (平)
• Hope (望)

The choice of characters used in the name can vary depending on astrological beliefs, family traditions, and the five elements theory. Korean numerology or Saju (Four Pillars of Destiny), which uses the time, date, and year of birth, may also influence the selection of a name to ensure balance and harmony in the child’s life.

Popular Korean Names and Their Meanings

Here’s a list of some popular Korean names with their meanings:

Male Names:

• 민준 (Min-jun): 민 (敏) meaning “quick” or “clever,” 준 (俊) meaning “handsome” or “talented.”
• 준호 (Joon-ho): 준 (俊) meaning “outstanding” or “handsome,” 호 (浩) meaning “vast” or “grand.”
• 지훈 (Ji-hoon): 지 (智) meaning “wisdom,” 훈 (勳) meaning “merit” or “virtue.”

Female Names:

• 지아 (Ji-a): 지 (智) meaning “wisdom,” 아 (娥) meaning “elegant” or “graceful.”
• 서영 (Seo-young): 서 (徐) meaning “gentle” or “calm,” 영 (英) meaning “brilliant” or “heroic.”
• 수빈 (Su-bin): 수 (秀) meaning “excellence” or “outstanding,” 빈 (彬) meaning “refined” or “elegant.”

Unisex Names:

• 하늘 (Ha-neul): 하 (하) meaning “great” or “grand,” 늘 (늘) meaning “eternal” or “forever.”
• 소울 (So-ul): 소 (小) meaning “small” or “humble,” 울 (울) meaning “cry” or “sound.”