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

1. Kim (김) – Gold, metal
2. Lee (이/리) – Plum tree
3. Park (박) – Gourd, bottle
4. Choi (최) – High, lofty
5. Jung (정) – Righteous, upright
6. Kang (강) – River
7. Cho (조) – Help, assist
8. Yoon (윤) – Govern, supervise
9. Jang (장) – Chapter, sheet, strong
10. Lim/Im (임) – Forest
11. Han (한) – Great, one
12. Oh (오) – Five
13. Seo (서) – West
14. Shin (신) – Faith, belief
15. Song (송) – Pine tree
16. Hwang (황) – Yellow
17. Jeon (전) – Display, convey
18. Hong (홍) – Vast, flood, red
19. Yoo (유) – Willow, flow
20. Ahn (안) – Peace, stability

Less Common Korean Last Names

21. Bae (배) – Pear, stomach, boat
22. Baek (백) – White, pure
23. Nam (남) – South
24. Moon (문) – Door, literature
25. Kwon (권) – Authority, power
26. Byun (변) – Change
27. Hyeon (현) – Virtuous, wise
28. Joo (주) – Round, main
29. Seong (성) – Star, castle
30. Cha (차) – Chariot, tea
31. Yim (임) – Overflow, forest
32. Ha (하) – Summer, river
33. Do (도) – Path, way
34. Ra (라) – Net
35. Jeong (정) – Virtue, quiet
36. Gu (구) – District, nine
37. Ryu (류) – Willow, flow
38. Ma (마) – Horse
39. Yang (양) – Sheep
40. Jin (진) – Treasure, truth

Rare Korean Last Names

41. Gong (공) – Craft, skill
42. Wi (위) – Protect, guard
43. Chun (천) – Sky, heaven
44. Pyeon (편) – Convenience, side
45. Seon (선) – Good, line
46. Gyeong (경) – Respect, scenery
47. Geum (금) – Gold, metal
48. Eom (엄) – Strict, profound
49. Na (나) – Me, I
50. Yangban (양반) – Noble class
51. Ji (지) – Wisdom, earth
52. Je (제) – Ruler, control
53. Chae (채) – Collect, vegetable
54. Ye (예) – Courtesy, art
55. Ok (옥) – Jade, treasure
56. Byeon (변) – Change, transform
57. Paik (백) – White, pure
58. Tak (탁) – Lofty, high
59. Pyo (표) – Table, sign
60. Ho (호) – Lake, vast

Unique and Historical Surnames

61. Ahn (안) – Peace, stability
62. Se (세) – World, generation
63. Eui (의) – Righteousness, justice
64. Hae (해) – Sea, sun
65. Won (원) – Origin, circle
66. Sim (심) – Heart, mind
67. Bu (부) – Wealth, rich
68. Dan (단) – Single, red
69. Cheon (천) – Thousand, sky
70. Seol (설) – Snow, explain
71. Bang (방) – Room, square
72. Mun (문) – Literature, writing
73. Yong (용) – Dragon
74. Byeol (별) – Star
75. Jwa (좌) – Left
76. Na (나) – Beautiful, elegant
77. Ryong (룡) – Dragon
78. Tak (탁) – Polished, refined
79. Hye (혜) – Wisdom, blessing
80. Eon (언) – Word, speak

More Rare Surnames

81. Man (만) – Full, complete
82. Yeon (연) – Kite, connection
83. Pil (필) – Brush, necessity
84. Pan (판) – Plate, board
85. Gae (개) – Open, dog
86. Ro (로) – Path, road
87. San (산) – Mountain
88. Deok (덕) – Virtue, morality
89. Yang (양) – Sun, sheep
90. Bo (보) – Treasure, protect
91. Hwi (휘) – Shine, brilliance
92. Bin (빈) – Guest, jar
93. Geon (건) – Strong, healthy
94. Myeong (명) – Bright, clear
95. Ja (자) – Self, ruler
96. Chil (칠) – Seven
97. Yeom (염) – Salt, dye
98. Taek (택) – House, choose
99. No (노) – Furnace, old
100. 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.