130 Korean Baby Girl Names With Meanings

korean-baby-girl-names-with-meanings

Korean girl names exude elegance and grace. They are considered to portray the human qualities most valued by the nation. The country is home to one of the oldest human civilizations. Some archeological finds have confirmed that the peninsular country has been inhabited since 500,000 BC (1). Several empires have existed here, such as Silla, Mongols, and Chosǒn. The country has faced major Japanese and European invasions as well. All these incursions have left their mark on Korean culture. Modern Korean girl names retain the vestiges of these diverse cultures and ancient empires. Korean names combine the family name and the last name. They are used by both North and South Koreans alike in the same manner (2). Korean names are also made of two Sino-Korean morphemes, just like Chinese names. Family names, at one point, contained only one syllable. This syllable was later subdivided into clans, identified by specific origins and regions. The names mainly depend on Chinese characters, Hanja, and the native Korean alphabet, Hangul. Korean girl names center around beauty, goodness, moral values, and purity, much like other cultures worldwide. Confucianism and Buddhism are the predominant religions in Korea, though Christianity has also made solid headway in the country (3). These religions inspire names related to their gods and beliefs. Korean names are fast becoming popular even in Western countries, thanks to the colorful explosion of K-pop and K-dramas — the nicknames given to Korean music and television series. These new aspects of Korean entertainment have put the country on the global charts. People worldwide are being exposed to new Korean names and are charmed by Korean culture. If you have considered giving your daughter a unique name to pay tribute to your roots, you are at the right place. We bring the most popular Korean baby girl names with pleasing meanings. You can quickly look up the names with their meanings and shortlist the names you love for your little princess.

NameGenderMeaning
heart image Soo Min Baby Girl Sign Girl Excellence and cleverness
heart image Soo Yun Baby Girl Sign Girl A perfect lotus flower
heart image Soojin Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Graceful; Intelligent; Diligent
heart image Sook Baby Girl Sign Girl She who is of pure nature
heart image Soon-Bok Baby Girl Sign Girl Gentle and blessed; One with a gentle soul
heart image Sosan Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Lily flower
heart image Sun Hee Baby Girl Sign Girl Pleasure and goodness
heart image Sun Jung Baby Girl Sign Girl Goodness and noble
heart image Sun-Hi Baby Girl Sign Girl One with a good and joyful demeanor
heart image Sung Baby Girl Sign Girl Successor or one on the verge of winning
heart image Taeo Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Innovative; Ambitious
heart image Whan Baby Girl Sign Girl Enlargement
heart image Woong Baby Girl Sign Girl Grand; Magnificent
heart image Yeji Unisex Baby Sign Unisex To shine brilliantly; To be full of talent
heart image Yena Unisex Baby Sign Unisex One who is talented and artistic
heart image Yeri Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Joyful; Cheerful; Lively
heart image Yerin Baby Girl Sign Girl Graceful or cherished beauty
heart image Yon Baby Girl Sign Girl Lotus blossom
heart image Yong Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Perpetual, eternal
heart image Yoon Baby Girl Sign Girl Allow; Consent
heart image Yoona Baby Girl Sign Girl Graceful; Talented; Radiant
heart image Young Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Youthful, energetic, lively
heart image Young Mi Baby Girl Sign Girl Prosperity, eternal and beautiful
heart image Young-Il Baby Girl Sign Girl The most prosperous of all
heart image Young-Soon Baby Girl Sign Girl Mild and flowery
heart image Yubin Baby Girl Sign Girl Jewel; Precious
heart image Yuhan Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Gift of the universe
heart image Yujin Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Abundance or precious treasure
heart image Yun Baby Girl Sign Girl Cloud
heart image Yun Hee Baby Girl Sign Girl Lotus flower; Pleasure
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Korean girl names revolve around everything from beauty to nature and religion. They sometimes symbolize positive attributes, such as goodness, purity, or fruitfulness. However, they may also be based on religious beliefs. These names, both traditional and modern, help elevate the status of a girl and help her establish her position in society. In recent years, K-pop and K-dramas have helped Korean girl names gain recognition throughout the world. So, if you plan to give your daughter a Korean name, now is the time.

Infographic: Captivating Korean Girl Names With Meanings

The recent explosion of Korean art forms on the global screen ensured that Korean names were in demand immediately. So, are you looking for some simple yet meaningful Korean names for your little one? This infographic will guide you in finding the best Korean girl names with meanings.

cute korean girl names for your dearest daughter (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are there any unisex Korean names that can be given to girls?

Yes, there are many Korean unisex names that work for both girls and boys. Some good ones are Bo-kyung, Ji-ha, Seo-yun, Jin-sung, Eun-jae, Ki-nam, Hyun-joo, and Mi-sun. The meaning of these names differs according to the hanja used to write every syllable of the name.

2. What is the significance of choosing a name in Korean culture, and how do parents typically choose a name for their daughter?

Korean parents usually prefer those names that signify goodwill and prosperity. They choose names with positive connotations in their meaning and sound. The child’s birth date and time can determine the name chosen for them. The number of strokes of the name in Korean characters is also important to decide on a name. Consulting a fortune teller to choose a name is also a common practice in Korea.

3. Are there any trends in Korean girl names, such as certain syllables or meanings that are currently popular?

Korean given names have two syllables, one is for the biological generation of the child, while the other is the representative syllable for each generation. This syllable was usually given to sons. Today, this syllable is given to daughters also. It can also be omitted sometimes. Also, modern Koreans do not use the generational syllable for many reasons. In recent years, parents choosing a pure Korean name have increased. So many have dropped the generational syllables, which are based on hanja (4).

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. Brief History Of Korea.
    https://www.koreasociety.org/images/pdf/KoreanStudies/Monographs_GeneralReading/BRIEF%20HISTORY%20OF%20KOREA.pdf
  2. South Korean Culture: Naming.
    https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/south-korean-culture/south-korean-culture-naming
  3. Historical and Modern Religions of Korea.
    https://asiasociety.org/education/historical-and-modern-religions-korea
  4. An Introduction to Korean Names: Are All Kims the Same?
    https://asiasociety.org/korea/introduction-korean-names-are-all-kims-same
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