100+ Korean Last Names with Meanings
Korean last names hold rich histories and cultural significance, reflecting the country’s heritage and ancestral traditions. With over 1,000 unique family names recorded in Korean history, each surname carries its own story, often tied to geography, historical figures, or ancient clans. Interestingly, a small number of these surnames dominate the population, with “Kim,” “Lee,” and “Park” accounting for a large percentage of Koreans worldwide.
In Korean culture, last names are more than identifiers; they signify lineage and social connection. Most surnames are one syllable, derived from Hanja (Chinese characters), and each character holds a unique meaning. For example, the last name “Kim (김)” is often associated with “gold” or “metal,” symbolizing prosperity and strength, while “Park (박)” can mean “gourd,” a symbol of fertility and abundance.
In this blog post, we’ll explore over 100 Korean last names, unraveling their meanings, origins, and cultural relevance. Whether you’re delving into your heritage, curious about Korean naming customs, or simply a fan of Korean culture, this comprehensive guide will provide fascinating insights into these names and the stories they carry. Let’s dive into the captivating world of Korean surnames!
100+ Korean Last Names with Meanings
Here is a list of over 100 Korean last names along with their meanings. Many of these names have multiple origins and meanings depending on the Hanja (Chinese characters) used to write them.
Common Korean Last Names
- Kim (김) – Gold, metal
- Lee (이/리) – Plum tree
- Park (박) – Gourd, bottle
- Choi (최) – High, lofty
- Jung (정) – Righteous, upright
- Kang (강) – River
- Cho (조) – Help, assist
- Yoon (윤) – Govern, supervise
- Jang (장) – Chapter, sheet, strong
- Lim/Im (임) – Forest
- Han (한) – Great, one
- Oh (오) – Five
- Seo (서) – West
- Shin (신) – Faith, belief
- Song (송) – Pine tree
- Hwang (황) – Yellow
- Jeon (전) – Display, convey
- Hong (홍) – Vast, flood, red
- Yoo (유) – Willow, flow
- Ahn (안) – Peace, stability
Less Common Korean Last Names
- Bae (배) – Pear, stomach, boat
- Baek (백) – White, pure
- Nam (남) – South
- Moon (문) – Door, literature
- Kwon (권) – Authority, power
- Byun (변) – Change
- Hyeon (현) – Virtuous, wise
- Joo (주) – Round, main
- Seong (성) – Star, castle
- Cha (차) – Chariot, tea
- Yim (임) – Overflow, forest
- Ha (하) – Summer, river
- Do (도) – Path, way
- Ra (라) – Net
- Jeong (정) – Virtue, quiet
- Gu (구) – District, nine
- Ryu (류) – Willow, flow
- Ma (마) – Horse
- Yang (양) – Sheep
- Jin (진) – Treasure, truth
Rare Korean Last Names
- Gong (공) – Craft, skill
- Wi (위) – Protect, guard
- Chun (천) – Sky, heaven
- Pyeon (편) – Convenience, side
- Seon (선) – Good, line
- Gyeong (경) – Respect, scenery
- Geum (금) – Gold, metal
- Eom (엄) – Strict, profound
- Na (나) – Me, I
- Yangban (양반) – Noble class
- Ji (지) – Wisdom, earth
- Je (제) – Ruler, control
- Chae (채) – Collect, vegetable
- Ye (예) – Courtesy, art
- Ok (옥) – Jade, treasure
- Byeon (변) – Change, transform
- Paik (백) – White, pure
- Tak (탁) – Lofty, high
- Pyo (표) – Table, sign
- Ho (호) – Lake, vast
Unique and Historical Surnames
- Ahn (안) – Peace, stability
- Se (세) – World, generation
- Eui (의) – Righteousness, justice
- Hae (해) – Sea, sun
- Won (원) – Origin, circle
- Sim (심) – Heart, mind
- Bu (부) – Wealth, rich
- Dan (단) – Single, red
- Cheon (천) – Thousand, sky
- Seol (설) – Snow, explain
- Bang (방) – Room, square
- Mun (문) – Literature, writing
- Yong (용) – Dragon
- Byeol (별) – Star
- Jwa (좌) – Left
- Na (나) – Beautiful, elegant
- Ryong (룡) – Dragon
- Tak (탁) – Polished, refined
- Hye (혜) – Wisdom, blessing
- Eon (언) – Word, speak
More Rare Surnames
- Man (만) – Full, complete
- Yeon (연) – Kite, connection
- Pil (필) – Brush, necessity
- Pan (판) – Plate, board
- Gae (개) – Open, dog
- Ro (로) – Path, road
- San (산) – Mountain
- Deok (덕) – Virtue, morality
- Yang (양) – Sun, sheep
- Bo (보) – Treasure, protect
- Hwi (휘) – Shine, brilliance
- Bin (빈) – Guest, jar
- Geon (건) – Strong, healthy
- Myeong (명) – Bright, clear
- Ja (자) – Self, ruler
- Chil (칠) – Seven
- Yeom (염) – Salt, dye
- Taek (택) – House, choose
- No (노) – Furnace, old
- Chil (칠) – Seven
Final Thoughts on “100+ Korean Last Names with Meanings”
Korean last names are a big part of the country’s history and culture. Each name has a special meaning, often coming from ancient Chinese characters called Hanja. These meanings can be connected to nature, family history, or important values.
While many people share common names like Kim, Lee, and Park, there are also many less common surnames with unique and interesting meanings. For example, some names are linked to nature, like “Song,” which means pine tree, while others represent ideas, like “Shin,” which means faith.
Learning about these names helps us understand Korean culture and its traditions. It also shows how important family and heritage are to Korean identity. Whether you’re exploring your family background or just curious about Korean names, these surnames give a glimpse into the country’s rich history.
Korea’s global influence through its music, movies, and traditions makes its names even more meaningful. They are not just words—they tell stories about the past and the values that are still important today. Korean last names are a beautiful connection to the country’s history and culture.