Surnames are a great way to get connected to the family that came before us. Korean last names provide a great insight into a family’s defining characteristics, the places they lived near, or their occupations. These names, like Japanese last names come from Chinese characters translated into a different font. Modern Korean names are now written in Hangul, which means ‘great script’ in Korean.
Part of what makes Korean names special is their unique naming structure. It’s different than other cultures because their names are typically three syllables long and the surname is written first. It is important to stress the importance of family. This is a sign that family should always be first. In Korean culture, relationships and loved ones are integral to their history and society, so much so that it’s represented in their naming structure. Personal names, also known as first names, are placed after the surname. People are usually given two first names in South Korean culture, and middle names aren’t part of the naming culture. Korean Culture also has positive characteristics such as harmony, cooperation, toughness and adaptability, nationalism, freedom, and education.
The most popular Korean last names are monosyllabic — like Kim, Lee, and Park — which together make up the names of about half the Korean ethnic population. And if you’re wondering what the top Korean last names are and their meanings, you’re not alone. The latest search information shows that this query is searched nearly 19,000 times per month. We’ve compiled a list of these and others, complete with their Hangul characters, (which is the Korean phonetic alphabet) so that you know the possible meaning behind them.
If you’re interested in the last names and meanings of other countries, check out our package on last names from around the world. You will be surprised at how many you can recognize.
- Kim Hangul: 김 Meaning: Metal, gold, or iron.
- Lee Hangul: 이 Meaning: Plum tree.
- Park/Bak Hangul: 박 Meaning: Gourd.
- Gwan Hangul: 관 Meaning: Tube or pipe.
- Man Hangul: 만 Meaning: Just or only.
- Hak Hangul: 학 Meaning: Crane or learning.
- Jeong Hangul: 정 Meaning: Tablet, chisel, or quiet.
- Yang Hangul: 양 Meaning: Amount, sheet, or positive.
- Bu Hangul: 부 Meaning: Part, wealth, or fortune.
- An Hangul: 안 Meaning: Within, interior or back.
- Jin Hangul: 진 Meaning: Camp, true, lost, or a sign of the dragon.
DreamWorks Animation - Pan Hangul: 판 Meaning: Plate, board, or edition.
- Dang Hangul: 당 Meaning: Party, justice, or sugar.
- Seong Hangul: 성 Meaning: Succeed or accomplish.
- Yoo Hangul: 요 Meaning: Willow tree.
- Han Hangul: 한 Meaning: One.
- Pung Hangul: 풍 Meaning: Wind.
- Mok Hangul: 목 Meaning: Neck.
- Jong Hangul: 종 Meaning: Bell, species, or end.
- Nam Hangul: 남 Meaning: Man or south.
- Cho Hangul: 초 Meaning: Second, candle, or beginning.
- Mae Hangul: 매 Meaning: Hawk or falcon.
- Wang Hangul: 왕 Meaning: King.
HBO - Sun Hangul: 순 Meaning: Net.
- Hwang Hangul: 황 Meaning: Yellow or reed.
- Bin Hangul: 빈 Meaning: Empty, void, or white.
- Yun Hangul: 윤 Meaning: Cloud or luck.
- Gok Hangul: 곡 Meaning: Country.
- Pae Hangul: 패Meaning: The name of the Pae clan.
- Ma Hangul: 마 Meaning: After the Mokch’ŏn Ma clan.
- Kwak Hangul: 곽 Meaning: City walls.
- Ahn Hangul: 안 Meaning: Tranquility.
- Bae/Bai Hangul: 배 Meaning: A pear.
- Baek Hangul: 백 Meaning: The color white.
- Cha Hangul: 차 Meaning: Chariot.
- Chang Hangul: 창 Meaning: Prosperous or flourishing.
- Chu Hangul: 추 Meaning: Vermilion red, which is a bright red pigment made from mercury sulfide.
- Gim Hangul: 김 Meaning: Gold.
- Goe Hangul: 좋은 Meaning: High.
- Ho Hangul: 호 Meaning: Brave or fierce.
- To Hangul: 에 Meaning: Dipper or unit of measure. The Chinese word for “dou” is the source.
- Byun Hangul: 변 Meaning: Excitable or impatient.
- Chai Hangul: 차이 Meaning: Firewood.
- Chi Hangul: 치 Meaning: Limb or Branch.
- Hahm Hangul: 흠 Meaning: Weighing scales seller.
- Choi Hangul: 최 Meaning: Mountain, pinnacle, or a governor who oversees the land or mountain.
- Shin Hangul: 신 Meaning: Belief.
- Bang Hangul: 방 Meaning: Room
- Cha Hangul: 차 Meaning: Chariot.
- Sa Hangul: Meaning: The number four.
- Seo Hangul: 瑞 Meaning: Felicitous omen or auspicious.
- Seo-Jun Hangul: 瑞 Meaning: Felicitous omen, auspicious; open up, unfold, comfortable, or easy.
- Seok Hangul: 石 Meaning: Stone or tin.
- Seong Hangul: 成 Meaning: Completed, finished, or succeeded.
- Seong-Hun Hangul: 성훈 Meaning: Meritorious deed or rank.
- Si-u Hangul: 시우, Meaning: Begin or start.
- Kangjeon Hangul: 강전 Meaning: This surname is originally from Japan.
- Gae Hangul: 개 Meaning: Dog.
- Gok Hangul: 곡 Meaning: A common last name for people from the Tang Dynasty of China.
- Jang Hangul: 장 Meaning: Archer or bowyer.
- Im/Lim Hangul: 임 Meaning: Dependable.
- Chay Hangul: 어떤 것 Meaning: Brushwood.
- Cheong Hangul: 청 Meaning: Gentle or quiet.
- Ha Hangul: 하아 Meaning: Summer.
- Keng Hangul: 넓은 Meaning: Ginger.
- Ha Hangul: 하아 Meaning: Summer or grand.
- Han Hangul: 한 Meaning: Country or leader.
- Heo Hangul: 허 Meaning: To permit or advocate.
- Ho Hangul: 호 Meaning: Brave or fierce.
- Hong Hangul: 홍 Meaning: Expand or great.
- Hyun Hangul: 현 Meaning: Profound or mysterious.
- Im Hangul: 임 Meaning: Forest.
- In Hangul: 에 Meaning: Stamp or India.
- Jee Hangul: 지 Meaning: Will or ambition.
- Jeon Hangul: 전 Meaning: Field.
- Joh Hangul: 조 Meaning: An ancient city in Shanxi province.
- Gyeon Hangul: 견 Meaning: Capital city; scenery, view.
- Geun Hangul: 근 Meaning: Axe.
- Nam Hangul: 남 Meaning: South.
- Noe Hangul: 뇌 Meaning: Thunder.
- Ryu Hangul: 유 Meaning: Willow tree.
- Gang Hangul: 강 Meaning: River.
- Gu Hangul: 구 Meaning: Phrase.
- Kang Hangul: 강강 Meaning: Ginger
- Ki Hangul: 기 Meaning: Tree or wood
- Kil Hangul: 길 Meaning: Cool
