List of Korean given names
 | This article possibly contains original research. (April 2024) |
This is a list of Korean given names by type. Most Korean given names consist of two Sino-Korean morphemes each written with one hanja. There are also names with more than two syllables, often from native Korean vocabulary. Finally, there are a small number of one-syllable names. Originally, there was no legal limitation on the length of names, but since 1993, regulations in South Korea have prohibited the registration of given names longer than five syllable blocks, in response to some parents giving their children extremely long names such as the 16-syllable Haneulbyeollimgureumhaennimbodasarangseureouri (하늘별님구름햇님보다사랑스러우리).[1] Lists of hanja for names are illustrative, not exhaustive.
Names by common first and second syllables[edit]
G or k (ㄱ), n (ㄴ), d (ㄷ)[edit]
M (ㅁ), b (ㅂ)[edit]
S (ㅅ)[edit]
Vowels and semivowels (ㅇ)[edit]
J (ㅈ) and ch (ㅊ)[edit]
T (ㅌ) and h (ㅎ)[edit]
Other names[edit]
This section is for names not included in the above sections. Names are listed in South Korean hangul alphabetical order.
| Common spelling | Sex | McCune– Reischauer |
Revised Romanization | Hangul |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ga-young | Feminine | Kayŏng | Ga-yeong | 가영 |
| Kang-min | Masculine | Kangmin | Gangmin | 강민 |
| Kyung-gu | Masculine | Kyŏng'gu | Gyeong-gu | 경구 |
| Kyung-lim | Unisex | Kyŏngnim | Gyeong-nim | 경님 |
| Kyung-mo | Masculine | Kyŏngmo | Gyeong-mo | 경모 |
| Kyung-wan | Unisex | Kyŏng'wan | Gyeong-wan | 경완 |
| Kyung-taek | Masculine | Kyŏngtaek | Gyeong-taek | 경택 |
| Kwang-jo | Masculine | Kwangjo | Gwang-jo | 광조 |
| Na-young | Feminine | Nayŏng | Na-yeong | 나영 |
| Nam-kyu | Masculine | Namgyu | Nam-gyu | 남규 |
| Nam-sun | Unisex | Namsun | Nam-sun | 남순 |
| Deok-su | Masculine | Tŏksu | Deok-su | 덕수 |
| Dong-gun | Masculine | Tong'gŏn | Dong-geon | 동건 |
| Mu-yeol | Masculine | Muyŏl | Mu-yeol | 무열 |
| Mu-young | Masculine | Muyŏng | Mu-yeong | 무영 |
| Mi-ran | Feminine | Miran | Mi-ran | 미란 |
| Mi-rae | Feminine | Mirae | Mi-rae | 미래 |
| Min-seo | Feminine | Minsŏ | Min-seo | 민서 |
| Byung-hun | Masculine | Pyŏnghŏn | Byeongheon | 병헌 |
| Seong-han | Masculine | Sŏnghan | Seong-han | 성한 |
| Sook-ja | Feminine | Sukja | Suk-ja | 숙자 |
| Seung-heon | Masculine | Sŭng'hŏn | Seung-heon | 승헌 |
| Ae-jung | Feminine | Aejŏng | Ae-jeong | 애정 |
| Yeo-jin | Feminine | Yŏjin | Yeo-jin | 여진 |
| Young-shin | Unisex | Yŏng'sin | Yeong-sin | 영신 |
| Young-ae | Feminine | Yŏng'ae | Yeong-ae | 영애 |
| Oh-seong | Masculine | Osŏng | O-seong | 오성 |
| Yo-han | Masculine | Yohan | Yo-han | 요한 |
| Yu-ri | Feminine | Yuri | Yu-ri | 유리 |
| Eun-chae | Feminine | Ŭnchae | Eun-chae | 은채 |
| Eunhasu | Feminine | Ŭnhasu | Eun-ha-su | 은하수 |
| Yi-kyung | Feminine | Yigyǒng | Yi-gyeong | 이경 |
| Yi-soo | Masculine | Yisu | Yi-su | 이수 |
| Il-sung | Masculine | Ilsǒng | Ilseong | 일성 |
| Ja-kyung | Unisex | Chagyŏng | Ja-gyeong | 자경 |
| Jang-mi | Feminine | Changmi | Jangmi | 장미 |
| Jae-gyu | Unisex | Chaegyu | Jaegyu | 재규 |
| Jae-beom | Masculine | Chaebŏm | Jaebeom | 재범 |
| Jae-seop | Masculine | Chaesŏp | Jaeseop | 재섭 |
| Jae-shin | Unisex | Chaesin | Jaesin | 재신 |
| Jae-in | Unisex | Chaein | Jaein | 재인 |
| Ji-hae | Unisex | Chihae | Ji-hae | 지해 |
| Chul-soon | Masculine | Ch'ŏlsun | Cheol-sun | 철순 |
| Chi-won | Masculine | Ch'iwŏn | Chi-won | 치원 |
| Hyun-seung | Masculine | Hyŏnsŭng | Hyeonseung | 현승 |
| Hye-rin | Feminine | Hyerin | Hye-rin | 혜린 |
| Hye-rim | Feminine | Hyerim | Hye-rim | 혜림 |
Names derived from Sino-Korean words[edit]
This section is for names derived from Sino-Korean words, which mostly have specific meanings.
| Common spelling | Sex | McCune– Reischauer |
Revised Romanization | Hangul | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ae-jeong | Feminine | Aechŏng | Ae-jeong | 애정 | Love, affection. |
| Ahn-jeong | Feminine | Anchŏng | An-jeong | 안정 | Stability. |
| Baek-hap | Feminine | Paekhap | Baek-hap | 백합 | Lily flower. |
| Bo-bae | Feminine | Popae | Bo-bae | 보배 | Treasure. |
| Do-hwa | Feminine | Tohwa | Do-hwa | 도화 | Peach blossom. |
| Geum-seong | Feminine | Kŭmsŏng | Geum-seong | 금성 | The planet Venus. |
| Gwang-chae | Unisex | Kwangch'ae | Gwang-chae | 광채 | Radiance. |
| Haeng-bok | Unisex | Haeng-pok | Haeng-bok | 행복 | Happiness. |
| Jang-mi | Feminine | Changmi | Jang-mi | 장미 | Rose. |
| Jeong-won | Unisex | Chŏngwŏn | Jeong-won |
정원 |
From the Sino-Korean word jeongweon (정원), which means "garden". |
| Jeong-han | Masculine | Chŏnghan | Jeong-han | 정한 | From the adjective jeonghada (정하다), which means "clear". |
| Ji-hye | Feminine | Chihye | Ji-hye | 지혜 | Wisdom. |
| Jin-ju | Feminine | Chinchu | Jin-ju | 진주 | Pearl. |
| Chan-yang | Masculine | Ch'anyang | Chan-yang | 찬양 | Praise. |
| Cheon-sa | Unisex | Ch'ŏnsa | Cheon-sa | 천사 | Angel. |
| Mi-rae | Feminine | Mirae | Mi-rae | 미래 | From the Sino-Korean word mirae, which means "future". |
| Mok-hwa | Feminine | Mokhwa | Mok-hwa | 목화 | Cotton. |
| Mo-ran | Feminine | Moran | Mo-ran | 모란 | Peony flower. |
| On-yu | Unisex | Onyu | On-yu | 온유 | From the adjective onyuhan (온유한), meaning "gentle". |
| Eun-ha-su | Feminine | Ŭnhasu | Eun-ha-su | 은하수 | Milky Way. |
| Eun-ha | Feminine | Ŭnha | Eun-ha | 은하 | Shortened form of Eun-ha-su. |
| Hui-mang | Feminine | Hŭimang | Hui-mang | 희망 | Hope. |
| Yeong-gwang | Unisex | Yŏnggwang | Yeong-gwang | 영광 | Glory. |
| Yeong-woong | Masculine | Yŏngung | Yeong-ung | 영웅 | Hero. |
| Pyeong-gang | Masculine | P'yŏnggang | Pyeong-gang | 평강 | Peace. |
| Pyeong-hwa | Feminine | P'yŏnghwa | Pyeong-hwa | 평화 | Peace. |
| Tae-yang | Masculine | Taeyang | Tae-yang | 태양 | The planet Sun. |
| Yoo-ra | Feminine | Yura | Yu-ra | 유라 | Silky. |
| San | Masculine | San | San | 산 | Mountain. |
| Seong-woon | Masculine | Sŏngun | Seong-un | 성운 | Nebula. |
| Seon-yool | Feminine | Sŏnyul | Seon-yul | 선율 | Melody. |
| Sin-bi | Feminine | Sinpi | Sin-bi | 신비 | Mystery. |
| So-mang | Feminine | Somang | So-mang | 소망 | Hope. |
| So-won | Feminine | Sowŏn | So-won | 소원 | Wish. |
| Su-han | Masculine | Suhan | Su-han | 수한 | From the Sino-Korean word sunsuhan (순수한), meaning "pure" or "innocent". |
| Su-ho | Masculine | Suho | Su-ho | 수호 | Guardian. |
| Woo-jeong | Masculine | Uchŏng | U-jeong | 우정 | Friendship. |
| Woo-joo | Unisex | Uchu | Uju | 우주 | The Universe. |
| Wol | Feminine | Wŏl | Weol | 월 | The planet Moon. |
Single-syllable names[edit]
| Common spelling | Sex | McCune– Reischauer |
Revised Romanization | Hangul | Hanja |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gun | Masculine | Kŏn | Geon | 건 | 建 (䢖), 乾 (漧, 乹), 件, 健, 巾, 虔, 楗, 鍵, 愆, 腱, 蹇, 騫, 搴, 湕, 踺, 揵, 犍, 犍, 褰, 謇, 鞬 |
| Kwang | Masculine | Kwang | Gwang | 광 | 光 (炛, 炚), 廣 (広), 鑛, 狂, 侊, 洸, 珖, 桄, 匡, 曠, 壙, 筐, 胱, 恇, 框, 爌, 獷, 磺, 絖, 纊, 茪, 誆, 誑, 硄 |
| Ran | Feminine | Ran | Ran | 란 | 卵, 亂, 蘭, 欄, 瀾, 瓓, 丹, 欒, 鸞, 爛, 鑾, 嬾, 幱, 攔, 灓, 襴, 闌, 斕, 欗 |
| Lee | Unisex | Ri | Ri | 리 | 里, 理, 利, 梨, 李, 吏, 離 (离), 裏 (裡), 履, 俚, 莉, 莉, 俐 (悧), 唎, 浬, 狸, 痢, 籬, 罹, 羸, 釐 (厘), 鯉, 涖, 𢻠, 犂 (犁), 摛, 剺, 哩, 嫠, 莅, 蜊, 螭, 貍, 邐, 魑, 黐, 漓, 灕 |
| Lin | Feminine | Rin | Rin | 린 | 鄰 (隣), 潾, 璘, 麟 (𪊭), 吝, 燐, 藺, 躪, 鱗, 撛, 鏻, 獜, 橉, 粦, 粼, 䗲, 繗, 嶙, 悋, 磷, 驎, 躙, 轔, 斴, 焛, 暽, 瞵 |
| San | Masculine | San | San | 산 | 山, 産, 傘, 珊 |
| Sang | Unisex | Sang | Sang | 상 | 上, 常, 賞, 商, 相, 霜, 想, 傷, 喪, 嘗, 裳, 詳, 祥, 象, 像, 床, 桑, 狀, 償, 庠, 湘, 箱, 翔, 爽, 塽, 孀, 峠, 廂, 橡, 觴, 樣, 牀, 慡, 潒, 徜, 晌, 殤, 甞, 緗, 鎟, 顙, 鬺 |
| Seol | Feminine | Sŏl | Seol | 설 | 雪, 說, 設, 舌, 薛, 楔, 屑, 泄, 洩, 渫, 褻, 齧, 禼 (卨), 蔎, 契, 偰, 㨹, 媟, 揲, 暬, 爇, 碟, 稧, 紲, 枻 |
| Seong | Unisex | Sŏng | Seong | 성 | 姓, 性, 成, 城, 誠, 盛, 省, 聖 (聖), 聲, 星, 珹, 娍, 瑆, 惺, 醒, 宬, 猩, 筬, 腥, 貹, 胜, 成, 城, 誠, 盛, 晟 (晟, 晠), 𦖤, 騂 |
| Woong | Masculine | Ung | Ung | 웅 | 雄, 熊 |
| Eun | Unisex | Ŭn | Eun | 은 | 恩, 銀, 隱, 垠, 殷, 誾, 溵, 珢, 慇, 濦, 㒚, 听, 𤨒, 圻, 蘟, 檼, 檃, 訢, 蒑, 泿, 蒽, 憖, 圁, 嶾, 𪙤, 𰜩, 嚚, 垽, 狺, 癮, 訔, 鄞 |
| Jae | Unisex | Chae | Jae | 재 | 才, 材, 財, 在, 栽 (㘽), 再, 哉, 災, 裁, 載, 宰, 梓, 縡, 齋, 渽, 滓, 齎, 捚, 賳, 溨, 夈, 崽, 扗, 榟, 灾, 纔 |
| Ji | Unisex | Chi | Ji | 지 | 只, 支, 枝, 止, 之, 知 (𥎵), 地, 指, 志, 至, 紙, 持, 池, 誌, 智 𥏾), 遲, 旨, 沚, 址, 祉, 趾, 祗, 芝, 摯, 鋕, 脂, 咫, 枳, 漬, 砥, 肢, 芷, 蜘, 識, 贄, 洔, 厎, 汦, 吱, 馶, 劧, 忯, 坁, 搘, 禔, 觗, 坻, 墀, 榰, 泜, 痣, 秪, 篪, 舐, 踟, 躓, 軹, 阯, 鮨, 鷙, 扺, 扺, 潪 |
| Jin | Unisex | Chin | Jin | 진 | 辰, 眞 (真), 進, 盡 (尽), 振, 鎭, 陣, 陳, 珍 (鉁), 震, 晉 (晋), 瑨 (𤨁), 瑱, 津, 津, 秦, 軫, 塵, 禛, 診, 縝, 塡, 賑, 溱, 抮, 唇, 嗔, 搢, 桭, 榛, 殄, 殄, 疹, 瞋, 縉, 臻, 蔯, 袗, 䑐, 蓁, 昣, 枃, 槇, 稹, 儘, 靕, 敒, 眹, 侲, 珒, 螴, 趁, 鬒, 愼, 滇, 誫, 轃 |
| Chan | Masculine | Ch'an | Chan | 찬 | 贊 (賛), 讚 (讃), 撰, 纂, 粲, 澯, 燦, 璨, 瓚, 纘, 鑽, 竄, 餐, 饌, 攢, 巑, 儹 (儧), 篡 (簒), 欑, 㜺, 劗, 爨, 趲, 攛 |
| Chul | Masculine | Ch'ŏl | Cheol | 철 | 鐵 (鉄), 哲 (喆), 徹, 澈, 撤, 轍, 綴, 凸, 輟, 悊, 瞮, 剟, 啜, 埑, 惙, 掇, 歠, 銕, 錣, 飻, 餮 |
| Hyuk | Masculine | Hyŏk | Hyeok | 혁 | 革, 赫, 爀, 奕, 焱, 侐, 焃, 𧹽, 嚇, 弈, 洫, 鬩 |
| Hyun | Unisex | Hyŏn | Hyeon | 현 | 現, 賢, 玄, 玄, 絃, 縣, 懸, 顯 (顕), 見, 峴, 峴, 泫, 炫, 玹, 鉉, 眩, 昡, 絢, 呟, 俔, 睍, 舷, 衒 (䝮), 弦, 儇, 譞, 怰, 䧋, 鋗, 㢺, 琄 , 嬛, 娊, 妶, 灦, 㭹, 駽, 痃, 繯, 翾, 蜆, 誢, 讂 |
| Ho | Masculine | Ho | Ho | 호 | 虎, 皓 |
| Hoon | Masculine | Hun | Hun | 훈 | 訓, 勳 |
Native Korean names[edit]
 | This section needs additional citations for verification. (August 2018) |
| Native Korean names | |
| Hangul | 고유어 이름 |
|---|---|
| Hanja | 固有語 이름 |
| Revised Romanization | Goyueo ireum |
| McCune–Reischauer | Koyuŏ irŭm |
Eric is a North Korean given name which comes from native Korean vocabulary, rather than Sino-Korean roots. These names have been used on occasion for centuries, but they only began to become widespread in South Korea in the late 20th century.[2][3] They do not have corresponding hanja, though in some cases, these names might be represented using hanja with the correct Korean pronunciation but an unrelated meaning (for example, 曙羅, with hanja meaning "sunlight" and "net", for Sora). However, this is not possible for all names; for example, for Ha-neul, there are no hanja with the reading "neul" (늘) on the South Korean government's official list of hanja which may be registered for use in given names.[4]
Since the late 1970s, the frequency of parents giving their children names that are native Korean words, usually of two syllables, has increased. Popular given names of this sort include Haneul (하늘; "Heaven" or "Sky"), Areum (아름; "Beauty"), Yiseul (이슬; "Dew") and Seulgi (슬기; "Wisdom").[5] Between 2008 and 2015, the proportion of such names among South Korean newborns rose from 3.5% to 7.7%. The most popular native names in 2015 were Hangyeol (한결; "Unity") for boys and Sarang (사랑; "Love") for girls.[6] Despite this trend away from traditional practice, people's names are still recorded in both hangul and hanja (if available) on official documents, in family genealogies, and so on.
| Common spelling | Sex | McCune– Reischauer |
Revised Romanization | Hangul | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ga-on | Unisex | Kaon | Ga-on | 가온 | The center of the world |
| Ga-ram | Unisex | Karam | Ga-ram | 가람 | River |
| Ga-eul | Feminine | Kaŭl | Ga-eul | 가을 | Autumn, fall |
| Gal | Feminine | Kal | Gal | 갈 | Shortened form of gaeul (가을). |
| Gyeo-wool | Unisex | Kyŏul | Gyeo-ul | 겨울 | Winter |
| Gyeo-woon | Masculine | Kyŏun | Gyeo-un | 겨운 | From the adjective jeonggyeoun (정겨운), which means "to be warm and friendly". |
| Gyeol | Unisex | Kyŏl | Gyeol | 결 | Shortened form of gyeoul (겨울). It also means "wave". |
| Gyeo-re | Feminine | Kyŏre | Gyeore | 겨레 | Korean word which means "the people". |
| Go-eun | Feminine | Koŭn | Go-eun | 고은 | From goun (고운), meaning "pretty". |
| Gu-reum | Feminine | Gurŭm | Gu-reum | 구름 | Cloud |
| Gu-seul | Feminine | Gusŭl | Gu-seul | 구슬 | Glass bead, crystal ball, jewel |
| Geu-rin | Unisex | Gŭrin | Geu-rin | 그린 | From the Korean word geuriun (그리운), meaning "the person I deeply miss/I'm longing to see again". |
| Geu-roo | Unisex | Gŭru | Geu-roo | 그루 | A word used when counting trees |
| Gi-ppeum | Feminine | Gippŭm | Gi-ppeum | 기쁨 | From the adjective gippeuda (기쁘다), meaning "joy". |
| Kkot | Feminine | KKot | Kkot | 꽃 | Flower |
| Na-gil | Masculine | Nakil | Na-gil | 나길 | My way |
| Na-ra | Feminine | Nara | Na-ra | 나라 | Country, nation, kingdom |
| Narabit | Unisex | Narapit | Na-ra-bit | 나라빛 | Modern derivation of nara (나라) combined with bit (빛), formed to mean "shining country, shining nation". |
| Narauram | Masculine | Narauram | Na-ra-u-ram | 나라우람 | Modern derivation of nara (나라) combined with uram (우람), formed to mean "robust or vigorous country, robust or vigorous nation". |
| Na-rae | Feminine | Narae | Na-rae | 나래 | Wing |
| Na-ri | Feminine | Nari | Na-ri | 나리 | Lily |
| Na-moo | Unisex | Namu | Na-mu | 나무 | Tree, wood |
| Na-na | Unisex | Nana | Na-na | 나나 | My child |
| Na-bom | Feminine | Napom | Na-bom | 나봄 | My spring |
| Na-bi | Feminine | Napi | Na-bi | 나비 | Butterfly |
| Na-bit | Feminine | Napit | Na-bit | 나빛 | My light |
| Na-eol | Masculine | Naŏl | Na-eol | 나얼 | My soul |
| Na-byeol | Feminine | Napyŏl | Na-byeol | 나별 | My star |
| No-eul | Unisex | Noŭl | No-eul | 노을 | Sunset |
| Noo-ri | Unisex | Nuri | Nu-ri | 누리 | Ancient Korean variation of the word ubak (우박), meaning "hail". |
| Da-rae | Feminine | Tarae | Da-rae | 다래 | Gooseberry |
| Da-som | Feminine | Tasom | Da-som | 다솜 | Ancient Korean variation of the word sarang (사랑), meaning "love". |
| Da-son | Unisex | Tason | Da-son | 다손 | From the ancient Korean adjective form of the verb dasoda (다소다), meaning "loving". |
| Dasoni | Unisex | Tasoni | Da-so-ni | 다소니 | From the ancient Korean adjective form of the verb dasoda (다소다), meaning "a loving and affectionate person". |
| Dasol | Feminine | Tasol | Da-sol | 다솔 | A young pine tree. |
| Da-ye | Feminine | Taye | Da-ye | 다예 | A person that has a pretty face. |
| Da-won | Unisex | Tawŏn | Da-won | 다원 | The person that everyone wants and loves. |
| Da-woon | Masculine | Taun | Da-un | 다운 | From the adjective dapda (답다), meaning "to have the property/feeling of [something]". |
| Dan-bi | Feminine | Tanpi | Dan-bi | 단비 | Sweet rain, welcome rain, timely rain. |
| Dan-mi | Feminine | Tanmi | Dan-mi | 단미 | Beautiful and lovely woman. |
| Dan-a | Feminine | Tana | Dan-a | 단아 | From the combination of adjective dalda (달다), and word ai (아이), meaning "sweet child". |
| Dal | Unisex | Tal | Dal | 달 | Moon |
| Dalbit | Unisex | Talpit | Dal-bit | 달빛 | Moonlight |
| Dal-rae | Feminine | Talrae | Dal-rae | 달래 | From dalraeda (달래다), meaning "soothing, lull". Also, Korean wild chive. |
| Dam-bi | Feminine | Tampi | Dam-bi | 담비 | Marten, sable |
| Du-ri | Unisex | Turi | Du-ri | 두리 | Two, couple, second |
| Ra-on | Feminine | Raon | Ra-on | 라온 | Ancient Korean variation of the word jeulgeoun (즐거운), meaning "joyful". |
| Ra-woom | Feminine | Raum | Ra-um | 라움 | From areumdaum (아름다운), meaning "beautiful". |
| Ro-woon | Masculine | Roun | Ro-un | 로운 | From the adjective iroun (이로운), meaning "to be beneficial/advantageous". |
| Ru-da | Feminine | Ruta | Ru-da | 루다 | From the verb iruda iruda (이루다), meaning "to achieve, to accomplish, to fulfill". |
| Ru-ri | Feminine | Ruri | Ru-ri | 루리 | Meaning "[I will] achieve/accomplish/fulfill". Also from the verb iruda (이루다), with causative suffix ~ri (~리). |
| Ma-ri | Feminine | Mari | Ma-ri | 마리 | Ancient Korean version of the word choiseon (최선), meaning "the best". |
| Ma-eum | Feminine | Maŭm | Ma-eum | 마음 | Mind, heart |
| Meari | Feminine | Meari | Me-a-ri | 메아리 | Echo |
| Mi-reu | Unisex | Mirŭ | Mi-reu | 미르 | Dragon |
| Mirinae | Feminine | Mirinae | Mi-ri-nae | 미리내 | Milky Way, galaxy |
| Miri-byeol | Feminine | Miripyŭl | Mi-ri-byeol | 미리별 | Modern derivation of miri (미리), shortened form of mirinae (미리내), meaning "galaxy" and byeol (별), which means "star", together formed to mean "star of the Milky Way". |
| Mit-eum | Masculine | Mitŭm | Mit-eum | 믿음 | Belief, trust |
| Mindeulle | Feminine | Mindŭlre | Min-deul-re | 민들레 | Dandelion |
| Ba-da | Unisex | Pata | Ba-da | 바다 | Sea |
| Ba-ram | Unisex | Param | Ba-ram | 바람 | Wind |
| Beo-deul | Masculine | Pŏtŭl | Beo-deul | 버들 | From beodeunamu (버드나무), meaning "willow". |
| Byeol | Feminine | Pyŏl | Byeol | 별 | Star |
| Byeol-bi | Feminine | Pyŏlpi | Byeol-bi | 별비 | Rain of stars |
| Byeol-bit | Feminine | Pyŏlpit | Byeol-bit | 별빛 | Starlight |
| Byeol-ha | Unisex | Pyŏlha | Byeol-ha | 별하 | Modern derivation of byeol (별) combined with the relative pronoun ~haneun (~하는), formed to mean "a person who is like a star". |
| Byeol-jji | Feminine | Pyŏl'tchi | Byeol-jji | 별찌 | North Korea word meaning "meteor". |
| Bom | Feminine | Pom | Bom | 봄 | Spring |
| Bomi | Feminine | Pomi | Bom-i | 봄이 | A child born in spring. |
| Bo-da | Feminine | Poda | Bo-da | 보다 | From the verb boda (보다), meaning "to see, to look at". |
| Bo-ra | Feminine | Pora | Bo-ra | 보라 | Purple |
| Bo-ram | Feminine | Poram | Bo-ram | 보람 | Valuable, worthwhile |
| Ba-ron | Unisex | Paron | Ba-ron | 바론 | From the verb bareuda (바르다), meaning "to be rightful, to be correct, to be honest". |
| Ba-rom | Unisex | Parom | Ba-rom | 바롬 | From the verb bareuda (바르다), meaning "to be rightful, to be correct, to be honest". |
| Bo-reum | Feminine | Porŭm | Bo-reum | 보름 | Half-month, two weeks, fortnight, fifteen days |
| Bitgaram | Masculine | Pitkaram | Bit-ga-ram | 빛가람 | Modern derivation of bit (빛) combined with garam (가람), formed to mean "shining river". |
| Bit-gyeol | Unisex | Pitkyŏl | Bit-gyeol | 빛결 | From the combination of bit (빛) and gyeol (결), meaning "wave of light". |
| Bit-na | Feminine | Pitna | Bit-na | 빛나 | Shining |
| Bitnara | Feminine | Pitnara | Bit-na-ra | 빛나라 | Modern derivation of bit (빛) combined with nara (나라), formed to mean "shining country, shining nation". |
| Bi | Feminine | Pi | Bi | 비 | Rain |
| Sa-rang | Feminine | Sarang | Sa-rang | 사랑 | Love |
| Sandara | Feminine | Santara | San-da-ra | 산다라 | Wise, clever |
| San-deul | Unisex | Santŭl | San-deul | 산들 | A cool breeze or zephyr. |
| Saem | Masculine | Saem | Saem | 샘 | Spring, fountain. |
| Saeroi | Masculine | Saeroi | Sae-ro-i | 새로이 | From saeroun (새로운), meaning "new". |
| Saenu | Masculine | Saenu | Sae-nu | 새누 | Modern derivation of saeroun (새로운), which means "new" and the ancient Korean word nuri (누리), meaning "world". |
| Sae-ron | Feminine | Saeron | Sae-ron | 새론 | From saeroun (새로운), meaning "new". |
| Sae-rom | Feminine | Saerom | Sae-rom | 새롬 | From saeroun (새로운), meaning "new". |
| Sae-i | Feminine | Saei | Sae-i | 새이 | From the combination of saebyeok (새벽) and ai (아이), meaning "child of dawn". |
| Sae-byeok | Feminine | Saepyŏk | Sae-byeok | 새벽 | Dawn, daybreak |
| Saet-byeol | Feminine | Saetbyŏl | Saet-byeol | 샛별 | Morning star |
| Seolleim | Unisex | Sŏlreim | Seol-re-im | 설레임 | Means "heart flutter", from the verb seolleda (설레다), meaning "excited". |
| Som | Feminine | Som | Som | 솜 | Cotton |
| Somi | Feminine | Somi | Som-i | 솜이 | A child cute and soft a cotton. |
| So-ra | Feminine | Sora | So-ra | 소라 | Conch shell |
| So-ri | Feminine | Sori | So-ri | 소리 | Voice, sound |
| Sol | Unisex | Sol | Sol | 솔 | Pine |
| Seul-ki | Feminine | Sŭlgi | Seul-gi | 슬기 | Wisdom |
| Ah-ra | Feminine | Ara | Ah-ra | 아라 | From the verb ara (아라), meaning "to know, to be wise". |
| Ah-ryeon | Unisex | Aryŏn | Ah-ryeon | 아련 | From old Korean ahryeon (아련) meaning "pretty" and "beautiful". |
| Ah-ram | Feminine | Aram | Ah-ram | 아람 | Ripe chestnut, ripe acorn |
| Ah-rong | Feminine | Arong | Ah-rong | 아롱 | Awkward |
| Ah-reum | Feminine | Arŭm | A-reum | 아름 | Beauty |
| Ah-ri | Feminine | Ari | A-ri | 아리 | Beloved |
| Arisol | Feminine | Arisol | A-ri-sol | 아리솔 | Modern derivation of ari (아리) combined with sol (솔), formed to mean "beloved pine tree". |
| Yoon-seul | Unisex | Yunsŭl | Yun-seul | 윤슬 | A sparkling ripple on water caused by the reflection of sunlight or moonlight. |
| Yeo-reum | Feminine | Yŏrŭm | Yeo-reum | 여름 | Summer |
| Yeo-wool | Feminine | Yŏul | Yeo-ul | 여울 | Rapids |
| Yebin | Feminine | Yepin | Ye-bin | 예빈 | It is derived from the attributive verb yeppida (예삐다), which is the Gyeongsang dialect form of yeppuda, meaning "to be pretty". |
| Yechan | Masculine | Yechan | Ye-chan | 예찬 | From yeppeugo (예쁘고) meaning "pretty" and chan (찬) which means "full", formed to mean "full of beauty". |
| Yedal | Unisex | Yetal | Ye-dal | 예달 | From yeppeugo (예쁘고) meaning "pretty" and dal (달) which means "moon", formed to mean "beautiful moon". |
| Ye-da-um | Feminine | Yedaum | Ye-da-um | 예다움 | To have a sense of beauty and affection. |
| Ye-ni | Unisex | Yeni | Ye-ni | 예니 | Modern derivation from yeppeun (예쁜) combined with ai (아이), formed to mean "a beautiful child". |
| Yerina | Feminine | Yerina | Ye-ri-na | 예리나 | Modern derivation of yeppeuda (예쁘다) combined with ari (아리) and ai (아이), formed to mean "a beautiful beloved child". |
| Ye-seul | Feminine | Yesŭl | Ye-seul | 예슬 | Modern derivation of yeppeuda (예쁘다) combined with seulgi (슬기), formed to mean "beautiful and wise". |
| On | Unisex | On | On | 온 | 100 |
| Woo-ram | Masculine | Uram | U-ram | 우람 | Robust, vigorous, stately, imposing |
| Woo-ri | Unisex | Uri | U-ri | 우리 | We |
| Woo-seul | Unisex | Usŭl | U-seul | 우슬 | From uram (우람) meaning "robust" or "vigorous" and seulgi (슬기) meaning "wisdom". |
| Eu-tteum | Unisex | Ŭttŭm | Eu-tteum | 으뜸 | Basis, foundation, the best, the head, the top |
| Yideun | Masculine | Idŭn | I-deun | 이든 | Kind and trustworthy |
| Yi-re | Feminine | Ire | I-re | 이레 | A week, seven days, the seventh day of the month |
| Yiroun | Masculine | Iroun | I-ro-un | 이로운 | From the adjective iropda (이롭다), meaning "to be beneficial/advantageous". |
| Yiruda | Unisex | Iruda | I-ru-da | 이루다 | From the verb iruda (이루다), meaning "to achieve, to accomplish, to fulfill". |
| Yiruri | Feminine | Iruri | I-ru-ri | 이루리 | Meaning "[I will] achieve/accomplish/fulfill". Also from the verb iruda (이루다), with causative suffix ~ri (~리). |
| Yi-seul | Feminine | Isŭl | I-seul | 이슬 | Dew |
| Ja-ram | Unisex | Charam | Ja-ram | 자람 | From the verb jarada (자라다), meaning "to grow" or "growing". |
| Jan-di | Feminine | Chanti | Jan-di | 잔디 | Grass |
| Ji-ye | Feminine | Chiye | Ji-ye | 지예 | Modern combination of the word jihye (지혜), meaning "wisdom" and yeppeuda (예쁘다), which means "to be pretty". |
| Jool | Feminine | Chul | Jul | 줄 | From the ancient Korean word jeulgeoun (즐거운), meaning "joyful". |
| Joo-ri | Feminine | Churi | Ju-ri | 주리 | From the ancient Korean word jeulgeoun (즐거운) and ai (아이), meaning "joyful child". |
| Joo-na | Feminine | Chuna | Ju-na | 주나 | To spread joyfulness. |
| Chaoreum | Masculine | Ch'aorŭm | Cha-o-reum | 차오름 | The spirit of flying with all your might. |
| Cho-rong | Feminine | Ch'orong | Cho-rong | 초롱 | Silk-covered lantern, also from the onomatopoeia chorong chorong (초롱초롱), meaning "sparkling" or "bright". |
| Cho-eun | Unisex | Ch'oŭn | Cho-eun | 초은 | From the word chorong (초롱), meaning "bright" and eun-eunhan (은은한), meaning "soft". |
| Cho-neul | Unisex | Ch'onŭl | Cho-neul | 초늘 | From the combination of the word chorong (초롱), meaning "bright" and the last syllable of haneul (하늘), which means sky. Together it means "bright sky" |
| Chan-yeol | Masculine | Ch'anyŏl | Chan-yeol | 찬열 | From the phrase "alchan yeolmae" (알찬 열매), which means "to bear fruits" or to "be profitable". |
| Pu-reun | Unisex | Purŭn | Pu-reun | 푸른 | Blue |
| Pu-reum | Unisex | Purŭm | Pu-reum | 푸름 | Blue |
| Ha-na | Feminine | Hana | Ha-na | 하나 | One, firstborn |
| Ha-neul | Unisex | Hanŭl | Ha-neul | 하늘 | Sky |
| Ha-nui | Feminine | Hanŭi | Ha-nui | 하늬 | Westerly winds |
| Ha-da | Unisex | Hata | Ha-da | 하다 | From the verb hada (하다), meaning "to do". |
| Ha-ram | Unisex | Haram | Ha-ram | 하람 | Modern derivation of haneul (하늘) combined with saram (사람), formed to mean "heavenly person". |
| Ha-ru | Unisex | Haru | Ha-ru | 하루 | Day |
| Ha-seul | Unisex | Hasŭl | Ha-seul | 하슬 | Modern derivation of haneul (하늘) combined with seulgi (슬기), formed to mean "heavenly wisdom". |
| Ha-yan | Unisex | Hayan | Ha-yan | 하얀 | White, pure, pale |
| Hayana | Feminine | Hayana | Ha-ya-na | 하야나 | Modern derivation of hayan (하얀) combined with ai (아이), formed to mean "white/pure/pale child". |
| Ha-ye | Feminine | Haye | Ha-ye | 하예 | Beautiful sky |
| Hayera | Feminine | Hayera | Ha-ye-ra | 하예라 | Modern derivation of haneul (하늘) combined with yeppeuda (예쁘다) and jarada (자라다), formed to mean "to grow up beautifully like the sky". |
| Han-gyeol | Masculine | Hankyŏl | Han-gyeol | 한결 | Unity |
| Han-gil | Masculine | Hankil | Han-gil | 한길 | One way |
| Han-byul | Unisex | Hanpyŏl | Han-byeol | 한별 | One star, also meaning "big/bright star". |
| Han-saem | Unisex | Hansaem | Han-saem | 한샘 | One fountain |
| Han-wool | Unisex | Hanul | Han-ul | 한울 | Ancient Korean variation of the word haneul (하늘), meaning "heavenly". |
| Hae-rang | Feminine | Haerang | Hae-rang | 해랑 | Modern derivation of hae (해) combined with dative case ~rang (랑), formed to mean "one with the sun". |
| Haeoreum | Masculine | Haeorŭm | Hae-o-reum | 해오름 | Sunrise |
| Haet-nim | Feminine | Haetnim | Haet-nim | 햇님 | Sun |
| Haet-sal | Feminine | Haetsal | Haet-sal | 햇살 | Sunlight |
| Haet-bit | Feminine | Haetbit | Haet-pit | 햇빛 | Sunshine |
| Hye-yum | Feminine | Hyeyum | Hye-yum | 혜윰 | Ancient Korean variation of the word saenggak (생각), meaning "thought". |
| Him-chan | Masculine | Himch'an | Him-chan | 힘찬 | Strong |
There are also some mixed names: those in which a single name contains both a Sino-Korean element and a native Korean element.
| Common spelling | Sex | McCune– Reischauer |
Revised Romanization | Hangul | Sino-Korean part | Native Korean part |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maruhan | Masculine | Maruhan | Ma-ru-han | 마루한 | 閑, 寒, 恨, 限, 韓, 漢, 旱, 汗, 澣, 瀚, 翰, 閒, 悍, 罕, 澖, 𡽜, 僩, 嫺, 橌, 䦥, 扞, 忓, 邗, 嫻, 捍, 暵, 閈, 駻, 鷳, 鼾, 邯, 雗 | Mountaintop, hilltop (마루) |
| Saem-na | Feminine | Saemna | Saem-na | 샘나 | 那, 奈, 柰, 娜, 拏, 儺, 喇, 懦, 拿, 𣃽, 䏧, 挐, 挪, 𡖔, 梛, 糯, 䛔, 橠 | Spring, fountain (샘) |
| Onnuri | Feminine | Onnuri | On-nu-ri | 온누리 | 溫, 瑥, 媼, 穩 (稳), 瘟, 縕, 蘊, 𥠺, 𥁕 (昷), 榲, 馧, 䭓, 媪, 慍, 氳, 熅, 轀, 醞, 韞, 薀, 㒚 | Hail (누리) |
| Eun-byul | Feminine | Ŭnbyŏl | Eun-byeol | 은별 | 恩, 銀, 隱, 垠, 殷, 誾, 溵, 珢, 慇, 濦, 㒚, 听, 𤨒, 圻, 蘟, 檼, 檃, 訢, 蒑, 泿, 蒽, 憖, 圁, 嶾, 𪙤, 𰜩, 嚚, 垽, 狺, 癮, 訔, 鄞, 齗 | Star (별) |
| Eun-bi | Feminine | Ŭnbi | Eun-bi | 은비 | 恩, 銀, 隱, 垠, 殷, 誾, 溵, 珢, 慇, 濦, 㒚, 听, 𤨒, 圻, 蘟, 檼, 檃, 訢, 蒑, 泿, 蒽, 憖, 圁, 嶾, 𪙤, 𰜩, 嚚, 垽, 狺, 癮, 訔, 鄞, 齗 | Rain (비) |
| Eun-saem | Feminine | Ŭnsaem | Eun-saem | 은샘 | 恩, 銀, 隱, 垠, 殷, 誾, 溵, 珢, 慇, 濦, 㒚, 听, 𤨒, 圻, 蘟, 檼, 檃, 訢, 蒑, 泿, 蒽, 憖, 圁, 嶾, 𪙤, 𰜩, 嚚, 垽, 狺, 癮, 訔, 鄞, 齗 | Spring, fountain (샘) |
| Eun-som | Feminine | Ŭnsom | Eun-som | 은솜 | 恩, 銀, 隱, 垠, 殷, 誾, 溵, 珢, 慇, 濦, 㒚, 听, 𤨒, 圻, 蘟, 檼, 檃, 訢, 蒑, 泿, 蒽, 憖, 圁, 嶾, 𪙤, 𰜩, 嚚, 垽, 狺, 癮, 訔, 鄞, 齗 | Cotton (솜) |
| Channuri | Masculine | Ch'annuri | Chan-nu-ri | 찬누리 | 贊 (賛), 讚 (讃), 撰, 纂, 粲, 澯, 燦, 璨, 瓚, 纘, 鑽, 竄, 餐, 饌, 攢, 巑, 儹 (儧), 篡 (簒), 欑, 㜺, 劗, 爨, 趲, 攛 | Hail (누리) |
| Hanarin | Feminine | Hanarin | Ha-na-rin | 하나린 | 鄰 (隣), 潾, 璘, 麟 (𪊭), 吝, 燐, 藺, 躪, 鱗, 撛, 鏻, 獜, 橉, 粦, 粼, 䗲, 繗, 嶙, 悋, 磷, 驎, 躙, 轔, 斴, 焛, 暽, 瞵 | One, firstborn (하나) |
| Hannuri | Unisex | Hannuri | Han-nu-ri | 한누리 | 閑, 寒, 恨, 限, 韓, 漢, 旱, 汗, 澣, 瀚, 翰, 閒, 悍, 罕, 澖, 𡽜, 僩, 嫺, 橌, 䦥, 扞, 忓, 邗, 嫻, 捍, 暵, 閈, 駻, 鷳, 鼾, 邯, 雗 | Hail (누리) |
See also[edit]
- Korean name
- List of the most popular given names in South Korea
- List of Korean surnames
- List of most popular given names
References[edit]
- ^ "한국에서 가장 긴 이름은?" [What's the longest name in Korea?]. Hankyoreh. 18 January 2008. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
- ^ 金文昌 [Kim Mun-chang] (1991). "고유어식 사람 이름에 대하여" [Regarding old Korean-style personal names]. 《새국어생활》. 1 (1). Retrieved 4 June 2014.
- ^ Jeon, Su-tae (19 October 2009). "사람 이름 짓기" [Making a name]. The Hankyoreh. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
- ^ "인명용 한자표" [Search for hanja for use in personal names]. South Korea: Supreme Court. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
- ^ Jeon, Su-tae (19 October 2009). "사람 이름 짓기" [Making a name]. The Hankyoreh. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
- ^ 신생아 인기 이름 '민준·서연'...드라마 영향? [Popular names for newborns: Min-jun and Seo-yeon ... the effect of TV dramas?]. Seoul Broadcasting System. 9 May 2016. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
신생아에게 한글 이름을 지어주는 경우는 2008년 전체의 3.5%에서 지난해에는 두 배가 넘는 7.7%에 달했습니다. 가장 많이 사용된 한글 이름은 남자는 '한결', 여자는 '사랑'이었습니다.
Further reading[edit]
- Korean personal names. United States: Central Intelligence Agency. 1962. OCLC 453054.
- Price, Fiona (2007). "Chapter 6: Korean names". Success with Asian names: a practical guide for business and everyday life. Intercultural Press. ISBN 9781857883787.