130 Korean Baby Girl Names With Meanings
Discover culture with these names from the land of the morning calm.
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.
Name | Gender | Meaning | |
---|---|---|---|
Soo Min | Girl | Excellence and cleverness | |
Soo Yun | Girl | A perfect lotus flower | |
Soojin | Unisex | Graceful; Intelligent; Diligent | |
Sook | Girl | She who is of pure nature | |
Soon-Bok | Girl | Gentle and blessed; One with a gentle soul | |
Sosan | Unisex | Lily flower | |
Sun Hee | Girl | Pleasure and goodness | |
Sun Jung | Girl | Goodness and noble | |
Sun-Hi | Girl | One with a good and joyful demeanor | |
Sung | Girl | Successor or one on the verge of winning | |
Taeo | Unisex | Innovative; Ambitious | |
Whan | Girl | Enlargement | |
Woong | Girl | Grand; Magnificent | |
Yeji | Unisex | To shine brilliantly; To be full of talent | |
Yena | Unisex | One who is talented and artistic | |
Yeri | Unisex | Joyful; Cheerful; Lively | |
Yerin | Girl | Graceful or cherished beauty | |
Yon | Girl | Lotus blossom | |
Yong | Unisex | Perpetual, eternal | |
Yoon | Girl | Allow; Consent | |
Yoona | Girl | Graceful; Talented; Radiant | |
Young | Unisex | Youthful, energetic, lively | |
Young Mi | Girl | Prosperity, eternal and beautiful | |
Young-Il | Girl | The most prosperous of all | |
Young-Soon | Girl | Mild and flowery | |
Yubin | Girl | Jewel; Precious | |
Yuhan | Unisex | Gift of the universe | |
Yujin | Unisex | Abundance or precious treasure | |
Yun | Girl | Cloud | |
Yun Hee | Girl | Lotus flower; Pleasure | |
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.
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
- Brief History Of Korea.
https://www.koreasociety.org/images/pdf/KoreanStudies/Monographs_GeneralReading/BRIEF%20HISTORY%20OF%20KOREA.pdf - South Korean Culture: Naming.
https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/south-korean-culture/south-korean-culture-naming - Historical and Modern Religions of Korea.
https://asiasociety.org/education/historical-and-modern-religions-korea - An Introduction to Korean Names: Are All Kims the Same?
https://asiasociety.org/korea/introduction-korean-names-are-all-kims-same
Look Up For Many More Names
Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.