Korean names are going global. Thanks to K-pop, K-drama, and Korean cinema, names like Jimin, Yuna, and Seojun are showing up on baby name lists far from Seoul. Here are 25 Korean names with their meanings — and why they work internationally.
How Korean Names Work
Korean names typically have three syllables: a one-syllable family name + a two-syllable given name. The given name is usually two Chinese characters (hanja), each carrying its own meaning. So a name like Chaewon combines "chae" (gathering/colorful) + "won" (beauty/origin).
This means Korean names are essentially compound words — every syllable is intentional.
Korean Girl Names
- Yuna (유나) — "Gentle, patient." Yuna Kim made this name famous worldwide through figure skating.
- Chaewon (채원) — "Gathering of beauty." LE SSERAFIM's Chaewon brought it to K-pop fans globally.
- Jisoo (지수) — "Wisdom and beauty." BLACKPINK's Jisoo made it iconic.
- Haeun (하은) — "Grace and kindness." One of Korea's most popular names right now.
- Soojin (수진) — "Excellent and precious." Elegant and timeless.
- Minji (민지) — "Clever and beautiful." NewJeans' Minji is the latest ambassador.
- Soyeon (소연) — "Beautiful and graceful." Multiple K-pop stars share this name.
- Dahyun (다현) — "Great and wise." TWICE's Dahyun made it a household name.
- Eunbi (은비) — "Silver rain." Poetic and distinctive.
- Hayoon (하윤) — "Summer and allow." Fresh and modern.
Korean Boy Names
- Seojun (서준) — "Auspicious and talented." #1 boy's name in South Korea.
- Minjun (민준) — "Clever and handsome." Perennially popular.
- Jimin (지민) — "Wisdom and cleverness." BTS's Jimin made this the most searched Korean name globally.
- Taehyung (태형) — "Great, prosperous." BTS's V brought this name worldwide fame.
- Hyunjin (현진) — "Precious and virtuous." Stray Kids' Hyunjin is the current ambassador.
- Jiho (지호) — "Wisdom and greatness." Clean and strong.
- Dohyun (도현) — "Path and wise." Modern and meaningful.
- Woojin (우진) — "Rain and precious." Nature meets value.
- Sunwoo (선우) — "Gentle and rain." Poetic masculinity.
- Hajoon (하준) — "Summer and talented." Rising fast.
Unisex Korean Names
- Jimin — Works for both genders in Korea. Internationally, it's become more associated with boys thanks to BTS.
- Hyunjin — Used for both genders, though the hanja characters differ.
- Yujin (유진) — "Precious and gentle." Popular for all genders.
Why Korean Names Work Internationally
- Short and phonetic — Most are 2-3 syllables with simple sounds
- Meaningful — Every syllable carries weight
- Distinctive — They stand out without being difficult
- Cultural cachet — Korean culture is globally cool right now
Pronunciation Tips
- eo sounds like "uh" (Seojun = Suh-joon)
- ae sounds like "eh" (Chaewon = Cheh-won)
- eu sounds like a short "oo" (Eunbi = Oon-bee)
- j is softer than English, almost like "ch"
Explore all Korean names and 1,600+ more at BabyNamePick.com.
Seojun has been #1 in Korea for years — do you think it'll crack the US top 100 next?
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