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Korean family names are notable because of their unique naming structure. Unlike other cultures, these names follow a three-syllable structure, with the surname written first. This emphasizes the importance of family and shows that it should come before an individual.
We have handpicked some popular Korean family names and their meanings in the list below.
Key Pointers
- Korean surnames typically follow a three-syllable structure where the surname or family name comes first.
- Some Koreans follow the practice of assigning generation names, influenced by Chinese customs.
- Ahn, Bak, Chung, Jeon, and Kim are a few of the commonly used surnames in Korea.
- Some Korean surnames indicate occupations, such as Hahm for weighing scale sellers and Chong for bow-makers.
- Ra, Roh, and Ryu are Korean surnames derived from Chinese characters.
Naming Tradition Of Koreans
Did you know some Koreans follow a tradition of giving a generation name? This tradition was adopted from China. Many Korean family names are derived from a single syllable, which also depends on the generation of the person. In North and South Korea, the generation level and surname come before the first name of a person.
For instance, two cousins from the same generation might be named Ahn Yujin and Ahn Jaemo, with Ahn being their family name at the generational level. Their next generation’s family name will be derived from some other syllable. Sounds interesting? Let’s have a look at some of the top surnames that are most common in the Koreas.
List Of Top Korean Surnames Or Last Names
1. Ahn
Ahn is one of the most commonly found last names in Korea and it refers to ‘tranquility’.
2. Bae
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Also spelled as ‘Bai’ or ‘Pei’, the word Bae refers to a pear.
3. Baek
This Korean last name has other variants such as Paek, Baik or Paik referring to the color ‘white’.
4. Bai
Originated in China and Mongolia, Bai is a Korean last name that refers to ‘something pure’ or ‘white’.
5. Bak
Bak is the third most common last name in Korea (1) and is derived from the name of the fruit called ‘gourd’.
6. Bang
Bang is derived from the Korean word ‘sarangbang’ referring to a ‘room’.
7. Byun
This is derived from Bian, a Chinese surname or last name that has various references such as ‘excitable’ or ‘impatient’. It can also mean ‘edge’ or ‘border’.
8. Cha
Originated in the 10th century AD in the Korean peninsula, this last name refers to ‘a chariot’.
9. Chai
This last name migrated to Korea from China and refers to ‘firewood’ or ‘brushwood’.
10. Chang
Chang is a variant of Zhang and means ‘prosperous’ or ‘flourishing’. Another reference of this surname is from the vocation of ‘archery’. The name has a Chinese origin.
11. Chay
Chay is a spelling variant of Chai or Chae and refers to ‘brushwood’.
12. Cheong
This last name is a variant of ‘Jeong’ and refers to ‘quiet’ or ‘gentle’.
13. Chew
Chew is a variant of ‘Zhu’ or ‘Chu’ and is a toponymic last name. It is derived from the ancient state of Zhu, and was also the family name of emperors of the Ming dynasty.
14. Chi
It is a spelling variant of ‘Zhi’ and refers to a ‘branch’ or a ‘limb’.
15. Chin
Chin is derived from ‘Chen’ and refers to ‘exhibit’ or ‘ancient’.
16. Cho
Cho is a popular Korean last name derived from ‘Zhao’ , which was an ancient city in Shanxi province.
17. Choe/Choi
This Korean last name refers to ‘a high tower’ or ‘lofty’.
18. Chong
Derived from ‘Zhang,’ this surname refers to ‘stretch’ or ‘extend’. It is also an occupational surname derived from people who were engaged in ‘bow-making’.
20. Chu
Derived from the Chinese word ‘Zhu’ it has two possible meanings. One reference makes it a habitational or toponymic last name referring to the name of an ancient state of Zhu. Another meaning refers to ‘vermilion red’ or ‘cinnabar’.
21. Chun
Also spelled as Jeon, this Korean last name refers to a ‘field’.
22. Chung
Chung is a common Korean surname that is a variant of the toponymic last name ‘Zheng’. It was an ancient state in the Henan province.
23. Do
Do is derived from the word ‘Dao’ that refers to ‘a path’ or ‘a roadway’.
24. Gang
Gang is a Korean surname derived from the Chinese word Jiang referring to ‘ginger’.
Did you know?25. Gim
This surname originated in China and refers to ‘gold’.
26. Goe
It is a variant of ‘Ko’ referring to ‘high’. This last name originated in the Korean peninsula.
27. Ha
It is the romanized version of ‘Xia’ and refers to ‘summer’ or ‘grand’.
28. Hahm
Hahm is a western Korean occupational surname and means ‘seller of weighing scales’.
29. Han
Han refers to ‘country’ or ‘leader’. Other variants of this last name are ‘Hahn’ or ‘Haan’.
30. Heo
Often spelled as ‘Huh,’ this Korean surname means ‘to permit’ or ‘advocate’.
31. Ho
Ho refers to ‘brave’ or fierce’. Im Ho, South Korean actor, is a famous bearer of this surname.
32. Hong
This surname originated in China and refers to ‘expand’ or ‘great’.
34. Hwang
This is derived from the Chinese word ‘Huang’ referring to ‘yellow’.
35. Hyun
This Korean surname refers to ‘profound’ or ‘mysterious’.
36. Im
Im is derived from Sino Korean word ‘Lin’ and refers to a ‘forest’.
37. In
The Korean surname has its roots in Japan and China. It is derived from the word ‘Yin’ and refers to ‘stamp’ or ‘India’.
38. Jang
This surname is a spelling variant of ‘Zhang’ and refers to ‘archer’ or ‘bowyer’.
39. Jee
Jee is a variant of Ji or Zhi and refers to ‘will’ or ‘ambition’.
40. Jeon
Jeon is a spelling variant of ‘Chon’ or ‘Chun’ and refers to a ‘field’.
41. Jeong
Jeong is derived from ‘Zheng’ an ancient state, and this is a toponymic last name.
42. Jin
Jin originated in China and refers to ‘gold’.
43. Joh
Joh, a variant of ‘Cho,’ is a Korean last name derived from ‘Zhao’. It was an ancient city in Shanxi province.
44. Jong
Jong is a spelling variant of ‘Jeong’ derived from ‘Zheng’ that was an ancient state. It is a toponymic Korean last name.
45. Ju
Derived from the word ‘Zhou’, Ju refers to ‘circumference’.
46. Jue
Jue is a spelling variant of Chu and is derived from the Chinese word ‘Zhu’. It is a toponymic last name coming from the name of an ancient state of Zhu. It also refers to ‘vermilion red’ or ‘cinnabar’.
47. Jun
Jun originated from the Chinese character and refers to ‘talented’ or ‘handsome’.
48. Jung
Jung is a variant of ‘Jeong’ derived from the name of an ancient state called ‘Zheng’. This is a toponymic last name.
49. Kang
A spelling variant of ‘Jiang,’ this surname refers to ‘ginger’.
50. Keng
Keng is also derived from the word ‘Jiang’. The other variant of the surname is ‘Kang’.
51. Ki
Ki is derived from a Chinese word and refers to a ‘tree’ or ‘wood’.
52. Kil
Kil originated in China and has references from Yiddish, referring to ‘cool’.
53. Kim
Kim is the most common Korean last name and is a variant of ‘Jin’ referring to ‘gold’.
54. Ko
Ko is a habitational surname and refers to the descendants of the Korean peninsula or Ko dynasty.
55. Kong
Kong is derived from a Chinese word and refers to ‘empty’ or ‘hollow’ and ‘sky’.
56. Ku
Ku is a variant of ‘Gu’ or ‘Goo’ which means a ‘tool’ or ‘utensil’.
57. Kuk
Kuk is derived from the Chinese word ‘Guo’ and refers to ‘country’.
58. Kwak
Kwak is a spelling variant of ‘Gwak’ and ‘Guo,’ meaning ‘the outer part of a city or country’.
59. Kwan
Kwan is a Korean variant of the Chinese word ‘Guan’ and refers to ‘frontier pass’.
60. Kwock
This is also a variant of ‘Gwak’ or ‘Kwak’ referring to ‘a surrounding area’ or ‘city walls’.
61. Kwon
Kwon is a variant of ‘Quan’ and refers to ‘power’ or ‘authority’.
62. Lee
Lee is derived from the Sino Korean word ‘Li’ and refers to ‘plum’ or ‘a plum tree’.
63. Lin
Lin is a popular Korean last name with origins in China and refers to a ‘forest’.
64. Ma
Ma originated in China and refers to a ‘horse’.
65. Min
Min is a first name that later evolved as a last name. It refers to ‘clever’ or ‘smart’. The popular BTS, KPop singer Min, stylized as Suga, is a famous bearer of this name.
66. Mok
Mok is a derivation of the Chinese word ‘Mo’ that means ‘screen’ or ‘curtain’.
67. Mong
Mong is a unique Korean surname that is a variant of ‘Meng’ and refers to ‘suffer’ or ‘ignorance’.
68. Moon
Moon is the Korean form of the Chinese word ‘Wen’ that means ‘culture’ or ‘literature’.
69. Mun
This Korean surname is a variant of Moon, derived from ‘Wen’.
70. Myung
Myung is a spelling variant of ‘Myeong’ referring to ‘bright’ or ‘brilliant’.
71. Na
Na is a Korean last name derived from the Chinese toponymic name that refers to a state in the Zhou dynasty.
72. Nahm
Nahm or Nam are very common Korean last names that refer to ‘south’.
Did you know?73. No
No is derived from the Chinese word ‘Ye’ and refers to ‘field’ or ‘wilderness’.
74. Oh
Oh is a spelling variant of ‘Wu’ and refers to the ancient state of ‘Wu’ located in the Jiangsu province.
75. Ok
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Ok is the variant of ‘Oak’ or ‘Ock’ that refers to the ‘Oak tree’. Another meaning of this Korean surname means ‘jade’.
76. Pae
Pae is a variant of ‘Bae’ or ‘Pei’ and this surname refers to a pear.
77. Paek
It is a variant of Baik or Paik, referring to white color.
78. Pai
Pai is derived from ‘Bai’ or ‘Pei’. It refers to the name of a fruit, called ‘a pear’.
79. Paik
This last name is a variant of Paek, Baik or Paik and refers to the color ‘white’.
80. Pak
Pak is derived from the Sino-Korean word ‘Bak’ meaning ‘plain’ or ‘unadorned’.
81. Pan
This Korean surname refers to the ‘water in which rice has been rinsed’. Pan also refers to the stream that flows into the Han river.
82. Park
It is a spelling variant of the Sino-Korean word ‘Bak’ and refers to ‘simple’ or ‘unadorned’.
83. Pu
Pu is a spelling variant of ‘Pak’ derived from ‘Bak’ referring to ‘unadorned’ or ‘simple’.
84. Quon
This is a spelling variant of ‘Kwon’ or ‘Quan’ referring to ‘power’ or ‘authority’.
85. Ra
This surname has Chinese origins and refers to ‘good’ or ‘virtuous’.
86. Reeh/ Rhee
It is a spelling variant of ‘Yi’ or ‘Li’ and refers to a plum tree.
87. Rim
It is derived from the word ‘Im’ or ‘Lin’ referring to a ‘forest’.
88. Roh
Roh or Ro is derived from the Chinese word ‘Lu’ meaning a ‘musical note’.
89. Ryu
Ryu is the Korean form of the Chinese word ‘Yu’ and refers to a ‘willow tree’.
90. Sa
This Korean last name originated during AD 918–1392 and was the family name of the members of Kyongsang South Province’s Kochang County.
91. Seo
Seo is a Sino-Korean word that evolved as a surname, and means ‘calm’ or ‘poised’.
92. Shin
The historical last name descended from the five Shin Clans who lived in the Chinese and Korean peninsular regions.
93. Sim
This last name is derived from the word ‘Shen’ and means to ‘sink’.
94. Sin
Sin is a variant of ‘Xin’ and is a topographical last name. Xin was the name of an ancient state in the Xia dynasty.
95. So
This historical surname is derived from the family name of 165 clans who were the emperors of Cholla South province, Old Choson kingdom, So Shin-il etc.
96. Son
Son is derived from the Chinese word ‘Shan’ referring to a ‘mountain’ or ‘hill’.
97. Song
Song descended as a last name from the Song dynasty, who ruled China and later expanded to Korea.
98. Suh
This surname is a variant of ‘So’. It is derived from the family name of the ancestors and emperors of Old Choson kingdom, Cholla South province, So Shin-il etc.
99. Suk
Suk is a variant of ‘Shu’ and means ‘ancient’ or ‘stone’.
100. Sun
This Korean last name refers to ‘grandchild’ or ‘descendant’.
101. Sung
Sung is a spelling variant of ‘Song’ that was derived from the family name of the Song dynasty.
102. Tak
This last name was passed on by T’ak Chi-yop, who was a scholar from the Koryo Kingdom. His followers adopted his first name as their last name.
103. Tan
Tan is derived from ‘Chen’ and refers to ‘an exhibit’ or ‘display’.
104. Tang
This last name originated in China, which was ruled by the Tang dynasty from 618 to 907. In Korea, this surname is also popularly called ‘Tong’.
105. To
It is derived from the Chinese word ‘Dou’ referring to a ‘dipper’ or ‘unit of measure’.
106. Toh
Toh is derived from the Chinese word ‘Du’ which means ‘stop’ or ‘prevent’.
107. Wang
Wang is one of the popular Korean last names that start with w. It originated in China and refers to ‘king’ or ‘monarch’.
108. Whang
This surname also is a variant of ‘Hwang’.
109. Woo
Woo is a spelling variant of ‘Wu’ referring to an ancient state of ‘Wu’. It is located in the Jiangsu province.
110. Yang
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This surname originated in China and refers to ‘bridge’.
111. Ye
Ye is a Korean last name with China origins and refers to a ‘leaf’.
112. Yee/Yi
This is a spelling variant of ‘Lee’ or ‘Li’ referring to a ‘plum’ or a ‘plum tree’.
113. Yeon
This surname is a variant of Juan that means ‘beautiful’ or ‘graceful’.
114. Yoon
It is derived from the Sino-Korean word Yun meaning ‘to govern’ or ‘eldest’.
115. You
This last name originated in China and refers to ‘reason’ or ‘cause’.
116. Yu
It is derived from the Chinese word ‘Yu’ that means ‘in’ or ‘at’.
117. Yun
This Sino Korean word that was later adopted as a last name means ‘to govern’ or ‘to oversee’.
Discover More Names
When you have to choose a name for your baby, a few hundreds of names may not be just enough. Keep digging our mine of baby names until you find that one precious gem.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do Koreans name their child?
Koreans name their children after any traits they wish their children to portray. The grandfather might pick the first name that is personal to the child. The first name forms the third syllable of a name.
2. Are all Korean names unisex?
Most Korean names are unisex, but parents may add a few characters to convert it into masculine or feminine form.
3. Is my last name the first name in Korea?
As per the Korean naming traditions, the family name is placed first, followed by generational and family names. Hence, the last name in the Western naming style will be considered the first name as per Korean naming traditions.
Korean family names usually consist of two or three syllables. The meanings of such syllables may vary when Romanized from Hanja. The subtle changes in the sounds that occur matter to a large extent. These names are representative of the background of the family that an individual comes from, and each of these names has deep meanings attached to them. Therefore, to learn more about such names and the culture of Koreans, you may keep reading different guides to gather more information.
Infographic: Korean Last Names You May Not Have Heard Of
While most are aware of popular Korean surnames, you will be fascinated to learn some of the rarest ones through this infographic. So gather your Korean enthusiast friends and dive in. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Illustration: Popular Korean Last Names Or Surnames With Meanings
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
Learn how to say family names in Korean with this helpful video! Discover the correct pronunciation and writing of Korean family names with EPS TOPIK and KLT.
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