Korean names - Baby names with the origin Korean

Korean Names

Korean names are known for their unique structure and meaning. In Korea, the family name is placed first, followed by the given name. Korean names can have various hanja (Chinese characters) meanings, and some even come from ancient legends.

Structure of Korean Names

Korean names typically consist of three syllables. The first syllable is the family name, followed by the given name. The family name is shared by all members of the same family, and is used to distinguish them from other families. The given name is usually chosen by the parents and can have various meanings, often related to virtues such as intelligence, beauty, and strength.

Meaning of Korean Names

Korean names often have positive meanings. For example, the name “Ji-hoon” can mean “wisdom and intelligence”, while “Ye-jin” can mean “beautiful and precious”. Many names are derived from ancient legends, such as “Seo-yeon”, which means “a woman from the stars”. Other names are based on the elements of nature, such as “Hae-sun”, which means “ocean and mountain”.

Popular Korean Names

Some of the most popular Korean names include Seo-yeon, Soo-ji, Ji-hoon, Ye-jin, Hae-sun, and Min-seo. These names are popular among both boys and girls, and are often chosen for their positive meanings.

Conclusion

Korean names are unique and meaningful. They consist of three syllables, with the family name placed first, followed by the given name. Korean names often have positive meanings, and some are derived from ancient legends. Popular Korean names include Seo-yeon, Soo-ji, Ji-hoon, Ye-jin, Hae-sun, and Min-seo.

Name Contains

Starts with

Gender

Celebrity Name

Name Meaning

Name	Origins	Gender	Celebrity Name?	Celebrity Baby Name?
Chaeli	American, Korean, English	Female	N	N	Shortlist
Jaejuan	American, Korean, Spanish	Male	N	N	Shortlist
Baedyn	American, Korean, Welsh	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Sahn	Arabic, Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Beajae	Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Cherokim	Cherokee, Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Dasean	Chinese, Hebrew, Irish, Vietnamese, Korean	Male	N	N	Shortlist
Jun	Chinese, Japanese, Korean	Unisex	Y	N	Shortlist
Kun	Chinese, Japanese, Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Su	Chinese, Japanese, Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Ju	Chinese, Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Yong	Chinese, Korean, Asian	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Min	Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Yi	Chinese, Korean, Greek, Vietnamese, Thai	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Gi	Chinese, Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Jin	Chinese, Korean, Japanese	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Junn	Chinese, Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
San	Chinese, Korean, Sanskrit	Unisex	Y	N	Shortlist
Ji	Chinese, Korean, Sanskrit, Vietnamese	Unisex	Y	N	Shortlist
Han	Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese	Unisex	Y	N	Shortlist
Chun	Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese	Unisex	Y	N	Shortlist
Jing	Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Mee	Chinese, Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Yoomee	Korean, German	Female	N	N	Shortlist
Faegon	English, Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Jontae	French, Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Damijae	Greek, Korean	Male	N	N	Shortlist
Yohan	Hebrew, French, German, Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Yo	Hebrew, Japanese, Korean, Spanish	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Teom	Hebrew, Korean	Male	N	N	Shortlist
Jaeleene	Hebrew, Korean, English	Female	N	N	Shortlist
Jaemyson	Hebrew, Korean, English	Male	N	N	Shortlist
Yon	Hebrew, Korean, Spanish	Unisex	Y	N	Shortlist
Keontae	Irish, Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Buan	Irish, Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Dantae	Italian, Latin, Hebrew, Korean	Male	N	N	Shortlist
Suzu	Japanese, Chinese, Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Ryu	Japanese, Chinese, Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Ko	Japanese, Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Yoome	Japanese, Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Ki	Japanese, Korean, Chinese, African	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
So	Japanese, Korean, Chinese, African	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Sumi	Japanese, Korean, Hindu	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Rin	Japanese, Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Yura	Japanese, Ukrainian, Russian, Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Haeran	Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Galeun	Korean	Male	N	N	Shortlist
Hansol	Korean	Male	N	N	Shortlist
Jaesan	Korean	Male	N	N	Shortlist
Ryun	Korean	Male	N	N	Shortlist
Sunki	Korean	Male	N	N	Shortlist
Da-Hee	Korean	Female	N	N	Shortlist
Daeah	Korean	Female	N	N	Shortlist
Eunah	Korean	Female	N	N	Shortlist
Jaeah	Korean	Female	N	N	Shortlist
Seonya	Korean	Female	N	N	Shortlist
Shingae	Korean	Female	N	N	Shortlist
Yeou-Miin	Korean	Female	N	N	Shortlist
You-Miin	Korean	Female	N	N	Shortlist
Beomia	Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Chul	Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Chung-Hee	Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Dae	Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Danbi	Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Dawon	Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Gaho	Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Geona	Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Inbee	Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Jaemun	Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Jaesin	Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Jaesun	Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Jinon	Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Jiny	Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Jungay	Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Kaemoon	Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Kiho	Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Piao	Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Pyo	Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Rang	Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist
Seonah	Korean	Unisex	N	N	Shortlist

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Korean names FAQs

What is the origin of the name 'Korean'?

The name 'Korean' originates from the Goryeo dynasty. Goryeo (918–1392) was a Korean dynasty that was known for its cultural achievements and is the source of the English name 'Korea'. The term 'Korea' is derived from 'Goryeo' as it was transliterated by visiting Persian merchants and later adopted by Europeans.

How did the name 'Korea' come into the English language?

The name 'Korea' entered the English language via early trade and travel. It was adopted from the name 'Goryeo', which foreign traders and travelers used when referring to the peninsula. Over time, 'Goryeo' was transliterated into various forms, including 'Korea', which became the standard in English.

Is there a native Korean name for Korea?

Yes, the native Korean name for Korea is 'Hanguk' in South Korea and 'Chosŏn' in North Korea. 'Hanguk' is derived from 'Han', a term associated with the Han River and 'guk' meaning 'country'. 'Chosŏn' refers to the earlier Joseon dynasty and means "Land of the Morning Calm".

Why are there different names for Korea in Korean and English?

Different names for Korea in Korean and English are due to historical and linguistic evolution. The native names, 'Hanguk' and 'Chosŏn', are based on historical kingdoms and dynasties, while 'Korea' is derived from the Goryeo dynasty, as perceived by foreign traders. The English name 'Korea' became standardized in Western languages through historical interactions with Europeans.

What does 'Goryeo', the origin of the name 'Korea', mean?

'Goryeo' means "high and clear". This name was chosen to describe the dynasty's ideals and the clearness of the water and the highness of the mountains of their homeland. The term 'Goryeo' itself was derived from the earlier kingdom of Goguryeo, which was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea.

Are 'Korea' and 'Corea' both correct spellings?

Both 'Korea' and 'Corea' are historically correct spellings, but 'Korea' is the widely accepted form in English today. 'Corea' was used in earlier English-language texts and by some countries due to different transliteration standards. Over time, 'Korea' became the dominant spelling in international usage.

Did the name 'Korea' change over time?

Yes, the name 'Korea' has evolved over time. It began as 'Goryeo', which was the name of a dynasty, and through various transliterations and adaptations, it became 'Korea' in English. The changes occurred due to the interactions with and the phonetic interpretations by different cultures and languages.

What is the historical significance of the name 'Goryeo'?

The historical significance of 'Goryeo' lies in its representation of a significant period in Korean history. The Goryeo dynasty was known for its cultural and technological advancements, including the creation of the Jikji, the world's oldest extant book printed with movable metal type. The name 'Goryeo' itself became the root for the modern exonym 'Korea'.

How do South and North Korea refer to themselves in international contexts?

In international contexts, South Korea refers to itself as 'Korea' or 'Republic of Korea', and North Korea refers to itself as 'Democratic People's Republic of Korea'. Both countries use the English name 'Korea' as part of their official English-language designations. The use of 'Korea' in both names reflects the shared historical and cultural heritage of the Korean peninsula.

Why do some countries have different names for Korea?

Some countries have different names for Korea due to their own linguistic traditions and historical relations with the Korean peninsula. Each language has developed its own way of referring to foreign places, often based on historical contacts and phonetic adaptations. For example, in Japanese, Korea is referred to as 'Kankoku' for South Korea and 'Chōsen' for North Korea, reflecting historical terms and readings.