168 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.

Name		Gender	Meaning
Ae-Cha		Girl	A loving daughter
Baek Hyeon		Boy	Virtuous brother
Beom Seok		Boy	Pattern of a rock
Bitgaram		Boy	light river
Bon-Hwa		Boy	One who is glorious
Bong		Boy	A mythical bird, probably a phoenix
Bong-Cha		Girl	The ultimate girl
Bora		Boy	Snow; Excellent; Brave
Chin-Hae		Boy	Truth or depth of the ocean
Chin-Hwa		Boy	The most prosperous and wealthiest of all
Chin-Mae		Boy	Truth; A person who always speaks the truth
Chin-Sun		Girl	The one who seeks truth and goodness in everything; Truth and goodness
Choon-Hee		Girl	A girl born at the time of spring
Chul		Boy	Firm; something that is neither soft nor very hard
Chul-Moo		Boy	The weapon of iron
Chun Hei		Girl	Justice and grace
Chung Ae		Boy	Noble and love
钟Cha		Girl	Noble and daughter
Chung-Cha		Girl	A righteous and chaste girl
Chung-Hee		Boy	One who is righteous and dutiful
Chung-Ho		Boy	A righteous lake
Da		Unisex	To attain
Dae		Unisex	The great one; Shining
Dae-Ho		Boy	A great personality
Dae-Hyun		Boy	Great and honorable
Dae-Jung		Boy	Great and righteous; Honest
Daeshim		Boy	Greatest mind
Do Hyun		Boy	Do means Path and Hyun means virtuous or able
Do Yoon		Boy	Do means Path and Yoon means allow or consent
Dong		Boy	East
Dong-Min		Boy	East and cleverness
Dong-Sun		Boy	Goodness of the east
Dong-Yul		Boy	One having the passion of the east
Du		Girl	头
Du-Ho		Boy	头and goodness
Duck-Hwan		Boy	Return of the virtue
Duck-Young		Boy	The virtue is unchanging and everlasting
Eui		Girl	Righteousness
Eun		Girl	Silver
Eun Ae		Girl	Grace with love
Eun Jung		Girl	Grace and affection
Eun-Kyung		Girl	A graceful gem
Gi		Girl	One who is brave
Goo		Girl	Complete
Ha Eun		Girl	Summer; Great; Talented, Kindness; Mercy; Charity; Silver; Money
Ha Joon		Boy	Summer; Talented; Handsome
Ha Rin		Girl	Summer; Great; Talented; Female unicorn
Ha Yoon		Girl	Summer; Great; Talented; Allow or consent
Hae		Girl	A girl who is like an ocean
Hae-Won		Girl	Graceful and beautiful garden
Hak-Kun		Boy	One with literate roots
Haneul		Boy	Heaven; Sky
Hee-Young		Girl	Joy and prosperity; A girl who brings joy and prosperity wherever she goes
Hei Ryung		Girl	Grace and brightness
Hei-Ran		Girl	Grace and orchid; A graceful orchid
Ho-Sook		Girl	A clear lake
Hoe		Girl	A garden tool used to loosen soil; A Korean dish of raw fish
Hoon		Boy	Teaching
Hwa-Young		Girl	A beautiful flower
Hwan		Boy	Bright
Hye		Boy	明亮的,聪明的人
Hyo		Girl	One with a filial duty
Hyo-Sonn		Girl	One who is filial and gentle
Hyuk		Boy	Radiant
Hyun		Unisex	Bright; Intelligent; Variant of Hyeon; Virtuous
Hyun Jae		Girl	Wise and respectful
Hyun Ki		Boy	Wise; Astute; Intelligent; Shrewd; Expert; Clever
Hyun Shik		Boy	Clever; Smart; Brilliant
Hyun-Ae		Girl	A woman who is loving and clear
Hyun-Ki		Boy	The foundation of wisdom
Hyun-Ok		Girl	A wise and beautiful pearl
Hyun-Shik		Boy	The roots of wisdom
Il		Boy	Superiority
In		Boy	Humanity; Wise
In-Su		Boy	Preserving wisdom
Iseul		Boy	Dew
Jae Hwa		Girl	Respect and beauty; One who is rich and prosperous
Jee		Unisex	To know; Wisdom
Ji		Unisex	A Korean name; Wisdom and intellect
Ji Ah		Girl	Wisdom, intellect, perception; Beautiful, sprout, graceful
Ji Woo		Girl	Wisdom, intellect, perception; Rain, house, universe
Ji Yoo		Girl	Wisdom, intellect, perception; Abundant, rich
Jii		Boy	Wisdom or intelligence
Jin Ae		Girl	Truth, treasure, and love
Jin Kyong		Girl	Truth, treasure, and brightness
Joo Won		Boy	Joo and Won combined; First or origin
在俊		Boy	A man who is exceptionally talented
在俊吸引		Boy	Combination of Joon and Woo; Divine intervention, protection or rain
Jum		Boy	King, Ruler
Jung		Boy	A righteous man
Jung-Hwa		Boy	One who is rich and righteous.
Kang-Dae		Boy	One who is mighty and strong
Ki		Unisex	The one who has arisen
Korain		Boy	One who is luminous and glorious
Kwan		Boy	Strong
Kwang-Sun		Boy	Wide goodness
Kyong		Boy	Brightness
Kyu		Boy	Standard
Kyubok		Boy	One who is blessed by God
Kyung		Boy	Respect

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.

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Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

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