Reference
Korean name meanings: 133 names by generation
Korean given names are usually two syllables, and each syllable is a sound that several Chinese characters (hanja) can spell. The meaning of a name is the pair of characters the family chose - so the same sound, say Ji-ho, can mean "wise and vast" in one family and "aspiring and bright" in the next. A growing number of names are native Korean words with no hanja at all.
The list below is the dataset behind Your Korean Name. It is arranged by generation, because a name tells a Korean listener roughly when you were born before it tells them anything else. Pronunciation hints are for English speakers; the "used for" column is a statistical lean, not a rule.
2010s and after
| Name | Say it | Used for | Meaning candidates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 하윤 Ha-yun |
ha, as in "ha-ha" · yoon | usually girls | 夏 summer or 河 river + 潤 glossy, abundant or 允 sincere, trusted |
| 서아 Seo-a |
suh, like "sir" without the r · ah | usually girls | 瑞 auspicious, lucky or 舒 at ease + 雅 elegant or 娥 graceful |
| 하은 Ha-eun |
ha, as in "ha-ha" · un, like "sun" without the s | usually girls | 夏 summer or 河 river + 恩 grace, kindness or 銀 silver |
| 지안 Ji-an |
jee · ahn | usually girls | 智 wisdom or 志 will, aspiration + 安 peace, calm |
| 지우 Ji-woo |
jee · oo | anyone | 智 wisdom or 志 will, aspiration + 宇 universe or 佑 protected, blessed |
| 서윤 Seo-yun |
suh, like "sir" without the r · yoon | usually girls | 瑞 auspicious, lucky or 舒 at ease + 潤 glossy, abundant or 允 sincere, trusted |
| 아린 A-rin |
ah · rin, like "ring" without the g | usually girls | 雅 elegant or 娥 graceful + 潾 clear water or 麟 mythical beast |
| 이서 I-seo |
ee · suh, like "sir" without the r | usually girls | 怡 joyful or 利 benefit + 瑞 auspicious, lucky or 舒 at ease |
| 수아 Su-a |
soo · ah | usually girls | 秀 outstanding or 洙 clear water + 雅 elegant or 娥 graceful |
| 지유 Ji-yu |
jee · yoo | usually girls | 智 wisdom or 志 will, aspiration + 裕 abundance or 柔 gentle |
| 유나 Yu-na |
yoo · nah | usually girls | 裕 abundance or 柔 gentle + 娜 graceful or 奈 endure |
| 채원 Chae-won |
cheh · wuhn | usually girls | 彩 colour, brilliance or 采 gather + 源 source, spring or 元 origin |
| 예린 Ye-rin |
yeh · rin, like "ring" without the g | usually girls | 藝 art or 睿 wise + 潾 clear water or 麟 mythical beast |
| 소율 So-yul |
soh · yool | usually girls | 素 pure, simple or 昭 bright + 律 rhythm, law or 栗 chestnut |
| 하린 Ha-rin |
ha, as in "ha-ha" · rin, like "ring" without the g | usually girls | 夏 summer or 河 river + 潾 clear water or 麟 mythical beast |
| 시아 Si-a |
shee · ah | usually girls | 時 time or 詩 poem + 雅 elegant or 娥 graceful |
| 다은 Da-eun |
dah · un, like "sun" without the s | usually girls | 多 plentiful + 恩 grace, kindness or 銀 silver |
| 예나 Ye-na |
yeh · nah | usually girls | 藝 art or 睿 wise + 娜 graceful or 奈 endure |
| 서현 Seo-hyun |
suh, like "sir" without the r · hyuhn | usually girls | 瑞 auspicious, lucky or 舒 at ease + 賢 wise, virtuous or 炫 shining |
| 나은 Na-eun |
nah · un, like "sun" without the s | usually girls | 娜 graceful or 奈 endure + 恩 grace, kindness or 銀 silver |
| 지아 Ji-a |
jee · ah | usually girls | 智 wisdom or 志 will, aspiration + 雅 elegant or 娥 graceful |
| 유주 Yu-ju |
yoo · joo | usually girls | 裕 abundance or 柔 gentle + 珠 pearl or 宙 space, cosmos |
| 윤서 Yun-seo |
yoon · suh, like "sir" without the r | usually girls | 潤 glossy, abundant or 允 sincere, trusted + 瑞 auspicious, lucky or 舒 at ease |
| 은서 Eun-seo |
un, like "sun" without the s · suh, like "sir" without the r | usually girls | 恩 grace, kindness or 銀 silver + 瑞 auspicious, lucky or 舒 at ease |
| 다인 Da-in |
dah · een | anyone | 多 plentiful + 仁 benevolence or 寅 tiger sign |
| 하율 Ha-yul |
ha, as in "ha-ha" · yool | anyone | 夏 summer or 河 river + 律 rhythm, law or 栗 chestnut |
| 서준 Seo-jun |
suh, like "sir" without the r · joon | usually boys | 瑞 auspicious, lucky or 舒 at ease + 俊 talented, handsome or 準 steady standard |
| 도윤 Do-yun |
doh · yoon | usually boys | 道 the way or 度 measure, grace + 潤 glossy, abundant or 允 sincere, trusted |
| 시우 Si-woo |
shee · oo | usually boys | 時 time or 詩 poem + 宇 universe or 佑 protected, blessed |
| 하준 Ha-jun |
ha, as in "ha-ha" · joon | usually boys | 夏 summer or 河 river + 俊 talented, handsome or 準 steady standard |
| 은우 Eun-woo |
un, like "sun" without the s · oo | usually boys | 恩 grace, kindness or 銀 silver + 宇 universe or 佑 protected, blessed |
| 예준 Ye-jun |
yeh · joon | usually boys | 藝 art or 睿 wise + 俊 talented, handsome or 準 steady standard |
| 이준 I-jun |
ee · joon | usually boys | 怡 joyful or 利 benefit + 俊 talented, handsome or 準 steady standard |
| 지호 Ji-ho |
jee · ho | usually boys | 智 wisdom or 志 will, aspiration + 浩 vast, grand or 昊 wide sky |
| 주원 Ju-won |
joo · wuhn | usually boys | 珠 pearl or 宙 space, cosmos + 源 source, spring or 元 origin |
| 민준 Min-jun |
min · joon | usually boys | 敏 quick, clever or 珉 jade + 俊 talented, handsome or 準 steady standard |
| 유준 Yu-jun |
yoo · joon | usually boys | 裕 abundance or 柔 gentle + 俊 talented, handsome or 準 steady standard |
| 지후 Ji-hu |
jee · hoo | usually boys | 智 wisdom or 志 will, aspiration + 厚 generous |
| 건우 Gun-woo |
guhn · oo | usually boys | 建 build or 健 healthy + 宇 universe or 佑 protected, blessed |
| 우진 Woo-jin |
oo · jin | usually boys | 宇 universe or 佑 protected, blessed + 眞 true or 珍 precious |
| 선우 Sun-woo |
suhn · oo | usually boys | 善 good, kind or 仙 immortal + 宇 universe or 佑 protected, blessed |
| 연우 Yeon-woo |
yuhn · oo | anyone | 娟 beautiful or 蓮 lotus + 宇 universe or 佑 protected, blessed |
| 이안 I-an |
ee · ahn | usually boys | 怡 joyful or 利 benefit + 安 peace, calm |
| 시윤 Si-yun |
shee · yoon | usually boys | 時 time or 詩 poem + 潤 glossy, abundant or 允 sincere, trusted |
| 준우 Jun-woo |
joon · oo | usually boys | 俊 talented, handsome or 準 steady standard + 宇 universe or 佑 protected, blessed |
| 지환 Ji-hwan |
jee · hwahn | usually boys | 智 wisdom or 志 will, aspiration + 煥 shining or 歡 delight |
| 도현 Do-hyun |
doh · hyuhn | usually boys | 道 the way or 度 measure, grace + 賢 wise, virtuous or 炫 shining |
| 승우 Seung-woo |
sung · oo | usually boys | 承 inherit or 勝 victory + 宇 universe or 佑 protected, blessed |
| 태오 Tae-o |
teh · oh | usually boys | 泰 great, at peace or 太 grand + 旿 bright daylight or 吾 self |
| 시온 Si-on |
shee · ohn | anyone | 時 time or 詩 poem + 溫 warm |
| 도하 Do-ha |
doh · ha, as in "ha-ha" | anyone | 道 the way or 度 measure, grace + 夏 summer or 河 river |
| 주하 Ju-ha |
joo · ha, as in "ha-ha" | anyone | 珠 pearl or 宙 space, cosmos + 夏 summer or 河 river |
| 온유 On-yu |
ohn · yoo | anyone | 溫 warm + 裕 abundance or 柔 gentle |
| 하람 Ha-ram |
ha, as in "ha-ha" · rahm | anyone | native Korean - a native-Korean name heard as "sky" |
| 라온 Ra-on |
rah · ohn | anyone | native Korean - joyful, pleasant - an old Korean word |
| 다온 Da-on |
dah · ohn | anyone | native Korean - may every good thing come |
| 한결 Han-gyeol |
hahn · gyuhl | anyone | native Korean - steady, unchanging |
| 한별 Han-byeol |
hahn · byuhl | anyone | native Korean - one big, bright star |
| 이든 I-deun |
ee · dun | anyone | native Korean - kind and dependable |
| 유담 Yu-dam |
yoo · dahm | anyone | 裕 abundance or 柔 gentle + 潭 deep pool or 談 conversation |
| 예람 Ye-ram |
yeh · rahm | anyone | native Korean - a lovely person |
| 로운 Ro-un |
roh · oon | anyone | native Korean - from iroun - helpful, beneficial |
| 리안 Ri-an |
ree · ahn | anyone | 理 reason or 利 sharp, beneficial + 安 peace, calm |
| 시안 Si-an |
shee · ahn | anyone | 時 time or 詩 poem + 安 peace, calm |
| 봄 Bom |
bohm | anyone | native Korean - spring, the season |
| 솔 Sol |
sohl | anyone | native Korean - pine tree |
| 린 Rin |
rin, like "ring" without the g | usually girls | 潾 clear water or 麟 mythical beast |
1990s-2000s
| Name | Say it | Used for | Meaning candidates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 슬기 Seul-gi |
sul · gee | usually girls | native Korean - wisdom |
| 지은 Ji-eun |
jee · un, like "sun" without the s | usually girls | 智 wisdom or 志 will, aspiration + 恩 grace, kindness or 銀 silver |
| 민지 Min-ji |
min · jee | usually girls | 敏 quick, clever or 珉 jade + 智 wisdom or 志 will, aspiration |
| 수빈 Su-bin |
soo · bin | anyone | 秀 outstanding or 洙 clear water + 彬 refined or 斌 cultured and strong |
| 유진 Yu-jin |
yoo · jin | usually girls | 裕 abundance or 柔 gentle + 眞 true or 珍 precious |
| 예은 Ye-eun |
yeh · un, like "sun" without the s | usually girls | 藝 art or 睿 wise + 恩 grace, kindness or 銀 silver |
| 소연 So-yeon |
soh · yuhn | usually girls | 素 pure, simple or 昭 bright + 娟 beautiful or 蓮 lotus |
| 나영 Na-young |
nah · yuhng | usually girls | 娜 graceful or 奈 endure + 英 brilliant or 永 eternal |
| 지현 Ji-hyun |
jee · hyuhn | usually girls | 智 wisdom or 志 will, aspiration + 賢 wise, virtuous or 炫 shining |
| 수진 Su-jin |
soo · jin | usually girls | 秀 outstanding or 洙 clear water + 眞 true or 珍 precious |
| 혜진 Hye-jin |
hyeh · jin | usually girls | 慧 wise or 惠 kindness + 眞 true or 珍 precious |
| 은지 Eun-ji |
un, like "sun" without the s · jee | usually girls | 恩 grace, kindness or 銀 silver + 智 wisdom or 志 will, aspiration |
| 다혜 Da-hye |
dah · hyeh | usually girls | 多 plentiful + 慧 wise or 惠 kindness |
| 보라 Bo-ra |
boh · rah | usually girls | 寶 treasure or 保 protect + 羅 silk |
| 유리 Yu-ri |
yoo · ree | usually girls | 裕 abundance or 柔 gentle + 理 reason or 利 sharp, beneficial |
| 세라 Se-ra |
seh · rah | usually girls | 世 world or 細 fine, delicate + 羅 silk |
| 지민 Ji-min |
jee · min | anyone | 智 wisdom or 志 will, aspiration + 敏 quick, clever or 珉 jade |
| 지훈 Ji-hun |
jee · hoon | usually boys | 智 wisdom or 志 will, aspiration + 勳 merit or 訓 teaching |
| 현우 Hyun-woo |
hyuhn · oo | usually boys | 賢 wise, virtuous or 炫 shining + 宇 universe or 佑 protected, blessed |
| 준서 Jun-seo |
joon · suh, like "sir" without the r | usually boys | 俊 talented, handsome or 準 steady standard + 瑞 auspicious, lucky or 舒 at ease |
| 동현 Dong-hyun |
dohng · hyuhn | usually boys | 東 east, dawn or 桐 paulownia tree + 賢 wise, virtuous or 炫 shining |
| 승현 Seung-hyun |
sung · hyuhn | usually boys | 承 inherit or 勝 victory + 賢 wise, virtuous or 炫 shining |
| 민석 Min-seok |
min · suhk | usually boys | 敏 quick, clever or 珉 jade + 碩 great or 石 stone |
| 태양 Tae-yang |
teh · yahng | usually boys | 泰 great, at peace or 太 grand + 陽 sunlight or 洋 ocean |
| 재현 Jae-hyun |
jeh · hyuhn | usually boys | 才 talent or 在 present, here + 賢 wise, virtuous or 炫 shining |
| 성민 Sung-min |
suhng · min | usually boys | 成 achieve or 星 star + 敏 quick, clever or 珉 jade |
| 준호 Jun-ho |
joon · ho | usually boys | 俊 talented, handsome or 準 steady standard + 浩 vast, grand or 昊 wide sky |
| 승민 Seung-min |
sung · min | usually boys | 承 inherit or 勝 victory + 敏 quick, clever or 珉 jade |
| 우빈 Woo-bin |
oo · bin | usually boys | 宇 universe or 佑 protected, blessed + 彬 refined or 斌 cultured and strong |
| 재민 Jae-min |
jeh · min | usually boys | 才 talent or 在 present, here + 敏 quick, clever or 珉 jade |
| 형준 Hyung-jun |
hyuhng · joon | usually boys | 亨 prosper or 炯 bright + 俊 talented, handsome or 準 steady standard |
| 진우 Jin-woo |
jin · oo | usually boys | 眞 true or 珍 precious + 宇 universe or 佑 protected, blessed |
| 태민 Tae-min |
teh · min | usually boys | 泰 great, at peace or 太 grand + 敏 quick, clever or 珉 jade |
| 규민 Kyu-min |
kyoo · min | usually boys | 圭 jade tablet or 奎 star + 敏 quick, clever or 珉 jade |
| 지수 Ji-su |
jee · soo | anyone | 智 wisdom or 志 will, aspiration + 秀 outstanding or 洙 clear water |
1970s-80s
| Name | Say it | Used for | Meaning candidates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 미영 Mi-young |
mee · yuhng | usually girls | 美 beauty or 微 subtle + 英 brilliant or 永 eternal |
| 지영 Ji-young |
jee · yuhng | usually girls | 智 wisdom or 志 will, aspiration + 英 brilliant or 永 eternal |
| 은정 Eun-jung |
un, like "sun" without the s · juhng | usually girls | 恩 grace, kindness or 銀 silver + 正 upright or 貞 steadfast |
| 현주 Hyun-ju |
hyuhn · joo | usually girls | 賢 wise, virtuous or 炫 shining + 珠 pearl or 宙 space, cosmos |
| 미선 Mi-sun |
mee · suhn | usually girls | 美 beauty or 微 subtle + 善 good, kind or 仙 immortal |
| 선영 Sun-young |
suhn · yuhng | usually girls | 善 good, kind or 仙 immortal + 英 brilliant or 永 eternal |
| 혜영 Hye-young |
hyeh · yuhng | usually girls | 慧 wise or 惠 kindness + 英 brilliant or 永 eternal |
| 경희 Kyung-hee |
kyuhng · hee | usually girls | 敬 respect or 慶 celebration + 喜 joy or 熙 bright, splendid |
| 수연 Su-yeon |
soo · yuhn | usually girls | 秀 outstanding or 洙 clear water + 娟 beautiful or 蓮 lotus |
| 은주 Eun-ju |
un, like "sun" without the s · joo | usually girls | 恩 grace, kindness or 銀 silver + 珠 pearl or 宙 space, cosmos |
| 정훈 Jung-hun |
juhng · hoon | usually boys | 正 upright or 貞 steadfast + 勳 merit or 訓 teaching |
| 상우 Sang-woo |
sahng · oo | usually boys | 尙 esteemed or 祥 auspicious + 宇 universe or 佑 protected, blessed |
| 경민 Kyung-min |
kyuhng · min | usually boys | 敬 respect or 慶 celebration + 敏 quick, clever or 珉 jade |
| 영호 Young-ho |
yuhng · ho | usually boys | 英 brilliant or 永 eternal + 浩 vast, grand or 昊 wide sky |
| 성호 Sung-ho |
suhng · ho | usually boys | 成 achieve or 星 star + 浩 vast, grand or 昊 wide sky |
| 재석 Jae-seok |
jeh · suhk | usually boys | 才 talent or 在 present, here + 碩 great or 石 stone |
| 상현 Sang-hyun |
sahng · hyuhn | usually boys | 尙 esteemed or 祥 auspicious + 賢 wise, virtuous or 炫 shining |
| 태훈 Tae-hun |
teh · hoon | usually boys | 泰 great, at peace or 太 grand + 勳 merit or 訓 teaching |
| 종현 Jong-hyun |
johng · hyuhn | usually boys | 鍾 bell or 宗 lineage + 賢 wise, virtuous or 炫 shining |
| 진호 Jin-ho |
jin · ho | usually boys | 眞 true or 珍 precious + 浩 vast, grand or 昊 wide sky |
| 성진 Sung-jin |
suhng · jin | usually boys | 成 achieve or 星 star + 眞 true or 珍 precious |
| 현석 Hyun-seok |
hyuhn · suhk | usually boys | 賢 wise, virtuous or 炫 shining + 碩 great or 石 stone |
any generation
| Name | Say it | Used for | Meaning candidates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 하늘 Ha-neul |
ha, as in "ha-ha" · nul | anyone | native Korean - sky |
| 나래 Na-rae |
nah · reh | usually girls | native Korean - wing |
| 아름 A-reum |
ah · rum | usually girls | native Korean - beauty |
| 수현 Su-hyun |
soo · hyuhn | anyone | 秀 outstanding or 洙 clear water + 賢 wise, virtuous or 炫 shining |
| 정우 Jung-woo |
juhng · oo | usually boys | 正 upright or 貞 steadfast + 宇 universe or 佑 protected, blessed |
| 혜원 Hye-won |
hyeh · wuhn | usually girls | 慧 wise or 惠 kindness + 源 source, spring or 元 origin |
| 서영 Seo-young |
suh, like "sir" without the r · yuhng | usually girls | 瑞 auspicious, lucky or 舒 at ease + 英 brilliant or 永 eternal |
| 현 Hyun |
hyuhn | usually boys | 賢 wise, virtuous or 炫 shining |
| 준 Jun |
joon | usually boys | 俊 talented, handsome or 準 steady standard |
How to read a hanja meaning
Each syllable lists the most common characters for that sound. 하 (ha) is often 夏 summer or 河 river; 윤 (yun) is 潤 abundant or 允 sincere. 하윤 can therefore be "summer abundance" or "river of sincerity" depending on the family. When a Korean asks "what hanja do you use?", this is what they are asking.
Family names are separate. Kim, Lee and Park cover roughly forty-five percent of the country; the experiment draws a surname by that frequency, which is why so many results are Kims.
Fictional and for entertainment only. Not a statement about anyone’s identity, ethnicity, gender or personality. Names and regions are playful combinations from a fixed dataset, not stereotypes.