215 Korean Baby Names With Meanings

korean-baby-names-with-meanings

Korea has a diverse and rich heritage, combined with a complex history. Korean baby names are unique, just like the language, culture, and people. Over half the Korean population use three main surnames, Park, Kim, and Lee. So, if you wish for your munchkin to stand out from the crowd, you must pick a unique name for them. A Korean name is composed of a family name, followed by a given name. Korean first names are based on Hangul, the official writing system for the Korean language (1), and Hanja, which is the older, more traditional script. Hanja comes from Chinese, but Hangul has Korean origins. These based names symbolize virtues like filial piety, hard work, and humility. Such qualities are considered of utmost importance in Korean culture (2). For years, parents could only select a name from the list of approved names issued by the government. This trend has fallen to the wayside now. Parents today opt for names derived from their native Korean language. It’s also important to note that given names are not used in day-to-day life. Referring to oneself using one’s first name is considered childish. But referring to superiors, family or otherwise, by their first name is considered incredibly rude. First names are private and used only by close friends and family. Korean given names are also known for their rhythmic syllables and poetic tones. Each syllable has significance, giving the name layers of meaning and emotional resonance. Parents also prefer looking for names inspired by nature's beauty, depicting elements like flowers, rivers, and mountains. Koreans value filial piety and giving ancestors their due reverence. Baby names create a channel to show such respect. Thus, these names can be considered a linguistic link that connects the past with the present and shapes future generations. Below is a list of Korean baby names with meanings for you. You can shortlist and save your favorites for future use.

NameGenderMeaning
heart image Ae-Cha Baby Girl Sign Girl A loving daughter
heart image Aeri Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Airy, ethereal, beautiful
heart image Ahri Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Beautiful, Fox-like, Enchanting
heart image Ailee Baby Girl Sign Girl Exalted; Noble leader
heart image Baek Hyeon Baby Boy Sign Boy Virtuous brother
heart image Beom Seok Baby Boy Sign Boy Pattern of a rock
heart image Bitgaram Baby Boy Sign Boy Light river
heart image Bon-Hwa Baby Boy Sign Boy One who is glorious
heart image Bong Baby Boy Sign Boy A mythical bird, probably a phoenix
heart image Bong-Cha Baby Girl Sign Girl The ultimate girl
heart image Bora Baby Boy Sign Boy Snow; Excellent; Brave
heart image Boram Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Precious; Superior
heart image Chae Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Colorful; Multicolored
heart image Chin-Hae Baby Boy Sign Boy Truth or depth of the ocean
heart image Chin-Hwa Baby Boy Sign Boy The most prosperous and wealthiest of all
heart image Chin-Mae Baby Boy Sign Boy Truth; A person who always speaks the truth
heart image Chin-Sun Baby Girl Sign Girl The one who seeks truth and goodness in everything; Truth and goodness
heart image Choon-Hee Baby Girl Sign Girl A girl born at the time of spring
heart image Chriselle Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Graceful and vibrant
heart image Chul Baby Boy Sign Boy Firm; something that is neither soft nor very hard
heart image Chul-Moo Baby Boy Sign Boy The weapon of iron
heart image Chun Hei Baby Girl Sign Girl Justice and grace
heart image Chung Ae Baby Boy Sign Boy Noble and love
heart image Chung Cha Baby Girl Sign Girl Noble and daughter
heart image Chung-Cha Baby Girl Sign Girl A righteous and chaste girl
heart image Chung-Hee Baby Boy Sign Boy One who is righteous and dutiful
heart image Chung-Ho Baby Boy Sign Boy A righteous lake
heart image Da Unisex Baby Sign Unisex To attain
heart image Dae Unisex Baby Sign Unisex The great one; Shining
heart image Dae-Ho Baby Boy Sign Boy A great personality
heart image Dae-Hyun Baby Boy Sign Boy Great and honorable
heart image Dae-Jung Baby Boy Sign Boy Great and righteous; Honest
heart image Daeshim Baby Boy Sign Boy Greatest mind
heart image Daeun Baby Boy Sign Boy Bright; Graceful; Talented
heart image Do Hyun Baby Boy Sign Boy Do means Path and Hyun means virtuous or able
heart image Do Yoon Baby Boy Sign Boy Do means Path and Yoon means allow or consent
heart image Dohan Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Break of dawn
heart image Dong Baby Boy Sign Boy East
heart image Dong-Min Baby Boy Sign Boy East and cleverness
heart image Dong-Sun Baby Boy Sign Boy Goodness of the east
heart image Dong-Yul Baby Boy Sign Boy One having the passion of the east
heart image Du Baby Girl Sign Girl Head
heart image Du-Ho Baby Boy Sign Boy Head and goodness
heart image Duck-Hwan Baby Boy Sign Boy Return of the virtue
heart image Duck-Young Baby Boy Sign Boy The virtue is unchanging and everlasting
heart image Elantra Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Strength and elegance
heart image Eui Baby Girl Sign Girl Righteousness
heart image Eun Baby Girl Sign Girl Silver
heart image Eun Ae Baby Girl Sign Girl Grace with love
heart image Eun Jung Baby Girl Sign Girl Grace and affection
heart image Eun-Kyung Baby Girl Sign Girl A graceful gem
heart image Geon Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Respect
heart image Gi Baby Girl Sign Girl One who is brave
heart image Goo Baby Girl Sign Girl Complete
heart image Ha Eun Baby Girl Sign Girl Summer; Great; Talented, Kindness; Mercy; Charity; Silver; Money
heart image Ha Joon Baby Boy Sign Boy Summer; Talented; Handsome
heart image Ha Rin Baby Girl Sign Girl Summer; Great; Talented; Female unicorn
heart image Ha Yoon Baby Girl Sign Girl Summer; Great; Talented; Allow or consent
heart image Hae Baby Girl Sign Girl A girl who is like an ocean
heart image Hae-Won Baby Girl Sign Girl Graceful and beautiful garden
heart image Haein Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Glorious, peaceful
heart image Hajoon Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Summer; Great; Talented
heart image Hak-Kun Baby Boy Sign Boy One with literate roots
heart image Haneul Baby Boy Sign Boy Heaven; Sky
heart image Hayoon Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Brightness; Grace; Charm
heart image Hee-Young Baby Girl Sign Girl Joy and prosperity; A girl who brings joy and prosperity wherever she goes
heart image Hei Ryung Baby Girl Sign Girl Grace and brightness
heart image Hei-Ran Baby Girl Sign Girl Grace and orchid; A graceful orchid
heart image Ho-Sook Baby Girl Sign Girl A clear lake
heart image Hoe Baby Girl Sign Girl A garden tool used to loosen soil; A Korean dish of raw fish
heart image Hoon Baby Boy Sign Boy Teaching
heart image Hwa-Young Baby Girl Sign Girl A beautiful flower
heart image Hwan Baby Boy Sign Boy Bright
heart image Hye Baby Boy Sign Boy A bright and intelligent man
heart image Hyo Baby Girl Sign Girl One with a filial duty
heart image Hyo-Sonn Baby Girl Sign Girl One who is filial and gentle
heart image Hyuk Baby Boy Sign Boy Radiant
heart image Hyun Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Bright; Intelligent; Variant of Hyeon; Virtuous
heart image Hyun Jae Baby Girl Sign Girl Wise and respectful
heart image Hyun Ki Baby Boy Sign Boy Wise; Astute; Intelligent; Shrewd; Expert; Clever
heart image Hyun Shik Baby Boy Sign Boy Clever; Smart; Brilliant
heart image Hyun-Ae Baby Girl Sign Girl A woman who is loving and clear
heart image Hyun-Ki Baby Boy Sign Boy The foundation of wisdom
heart image Hyun-Ok Baby Girl Sign Girl A wise and beautiful pearl
heart image Hyun-Shik Baby Boy Sign Boy The roots of wisdom
heart image Il Baby Boy Sign Boy Superiority
heart image In Baby Boy Sign Boy Humanity; Wise
heart image In-Su Baby Boy Sign Boy Preserving wisdom
heart image Iseul Baby Boy Sign Boy Dew
heart image Iu Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Yew wood
heart image Jae Hwa Baby Girl Sign Girl Respect and beauty; One who is rich and prosperous
heart image Jaemin Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Prosperous; Talented; Ambitious
heart image Jaewon Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Principled leader with ambition
heart image Jee Unisex Baby Sign Unisex To know; Wisdom
heart image Jeon Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Strong; Talented
heart image Jesan Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Fame
heart image Ji Unisex Baby Sign Unisex A Korean name; Wisdom and intellect
heart image Ji Ah Baby Girl Sign Girl Wisdom, intellect, perception; Beautiful, sprout, graceful
heart image Ji Woo Baby Girl Sign Girl Wisdom, intellect, perception; Rain, house, universe
heart image Ji Yoo Baby Girl Sign Girl Wisdom, intellect, perception; Abundant, rich
1 2 3

Korean baby names represent the rich history and cultural depth of Korea. Koreans believe in maintaining harmony and balance with nature and society at large. This sentiment is reflected in their first names, a meaningful blend of Hanja characters and Hangul alphabets. Parents select Korean names for their children as symbols of a timeless legacy. These names carry forward the values and aspirations of their ancestors and keep their traditions alive through modern times.

Infographic: Cute Korean Names For Your Adorable Child

Korean names are known for their sweet sounds and strong meanings. Names in this language are generally three syllables long, with the first syllable representing the child's family. Many of these words have plenty of variations. So, exploring one for your child is definitely an exciting experience. This infographic will list some wonderful Korean baby names.

korean baby names that parents will love (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are rare Korean names?

Bom, meaning ‘spring,’ Bong, meaning ‘phoenix,’ and Eui, meaning ‘righteous’ or ‘purple,’ are examples of some rare Korean names.

2. What is a cute Korean name for a girl?

The Korean language provides a plethora of options for cute names for girls. Aera, meaning ‘love,’ Bada meaning ‘ocean,’ and Byeol meaning ‘star,’ are some examples.

3. What are some famous Korean names?

Bitna meaning ‘shining,’ and Chun, meaning ‘justice’ or ‘spring,’ are popular names for girls, while Bae meaning ‘inspiration’ and Gi, meaning ‘brave,’ are examples of popular Korean names for baby boys.

4. Is Moon a Korean girl's name?

Moon, or Mun, is a Korean last name and a gender-neutral short first name. It can also be found as a part of longer names. The meaning of the name depends on the specific characters used to write it.

5. Is Nari a Korean name?

Yes, Nari is a Korean name. It is a feminine name meaning 'lily' or 'beautiful lily.’

6. What Korean name means rose?

Jang-Mi, pronounced as JAHNG-MEE, is a feminine Korean name that means ‘rose.’

7. What Korean girl name means star?

Byeol is a Korean feminine name for a girl that means ‘star.’

8. What Korean name means flower?

Yeong-Ja, Hwa-Young, and Young-Soon are some examples of Korean names that mean ‘flower.’

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. About: Hangul.
    https://dbpedia.org/page/Hangul
  2. Chapter 15 Korean Culture.
    http://freebooks.uvu.edu/NURS3400/index.php/ch11-korean-culture.html
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