285 Korean Last Names with Meanings and Pronunciations
Korean last names are powerful symbols of heritage.
With just a few hundred in use—and some like Kim, Lee, and Park shared by nearly half the population—these names hold deep meaning that reaches far beyond the surface.
Each one tells a story, often rooted in strength, nature, virtue, or family values.
This blog breaks down these Korean surnames with their meanings and pronunciations, all arranged to help you quickly scan through and connect with what matters most.
If you’re naming a character, learning about Korean culture, or curious about the names you hear in K-dramas and real life, this list provides clarity and context.
It’s straightforward, meaningful, and designed to show how much can be said in just a single name.
Most Common Korean Last Names
1. Kim (김)
- Meaning: Gold
- Pronunciation: [kim]
2. Ahn (안)
- Meaning: Peace, stability
- Pronunciation: [an]
3. Baek (백)
- Meaning: White, pure
- Pronunciation: [pɛk]
4. Bae (배)
- Meaning: Pear
- Pronunciation: [pɛ]
5. Bang (방)
- Meaning: Room
- Pronunciation: [paŋ]
6. Byun (변)
- Meaning: Edge, border
- Pronunciation: [pjʌn]
7. Cha (차)
- Meaning: Chariot, vehicle
- Pronunciation: [tɕʰa]
8. Chae (채)
- Meaning: Collect, gather
- Pronunciation: [tɕʰɛ]
9. Cheon (천)
- Meaning: Thousand
- Pronunciation: [tɕʰʌn]
10. Choi (최)
-
Meaning: High, lofty
-
Pronunciation: [tɕʰwe] or [tɕʰø]
-
Chu (추)
-
Meaning: Autumn
-
Pronunciation: [tɕʰu]
-
Do (도)
-
Meaning: Way, path
-
Pronunciation: [to]
-
Eo (어)
-
Meaning: Fish
-
Pronunciation: [ʌ]
-
Eom (엄)
-
Meaning: Strict, rigorous
-
Pronunciation: [ʌm]
-
Gang (강)
-
Meaning: River
-
Pronunciation: [kaŋ]
-
Gil (길)
-
Meaning: Road, street
-
Pronunciation: [kil]
-
Go (고)
-
Meaning: High, tall
-
Pronunciation: [ko]
-
Gong (공)
-
Meaning: Sky, emptiness
-
Pronunciation: [koŋ]
-
Goo (구)
-
Meaning: District, ward
-
Pronunciation: [ku]
-
Guk (국)
-
Meaning: Nation, country
-
Pronunciation: [kuk]
-
Gwak (곽)
-
Meaning: Outer city wall
-
Pronunciation: [kwak]
-
Gwon (권)
-
Meaning: Authority, power
-
Pronunciation: [kwʌn]
-
Ha (하)
-
Meaning: Summer
-
Pronunciation: [ha]
-
Ham (함)
-
Meaning: Box, chest
-
Pronunciation: [ham]
-
Han (한)
-
Meaning: Great, one
-
Pronunciation: [han]
-
Heo (허)
-
Meaning: Permit, allow
-
Pronunciation: [hʌ]
-
Hong (홍)
-
Meaning: Vast, flood, red
-
Pronunciation: [hoŋ]
-
Hwang (황)
-
Meaning: Yellow
-
Pronunciation: [hwaŋ]
-
Im (임)
-
Meaning: Forest
-
Pronunciation: [Im]
-
Jang (장)
-
Meaning: Chapter, strong
-
Pronunciation: [tɕaŋ]
-
Jeon (전)
-
Meaning: Field, battle
-
Pronunciation: [tɕʌn]
-
Jeong (정)
-
Meaning: Upright, proper
-
Pronunciation: [tɕʌŋ]
-
Jo (조)
-
Meaning: Assist, help
-
Pronunciation: [tɕo]
-
Joo (주)
-
Meaning: State, province
-
Pronunciation: [tɕu]
-
Ju (주)
-
Meaning: Same as above
-
Pronunciation: [tɕu]
-
Jun (준)
-
Meaning: Talented, handsome
-
Pronunciation: [tɕun]
-
Kang (강)
-
Meaning: River
-
Pronunciation: [kaŋ]
-
Koo (구)
-
Meaning: District, ward
-
Pronunciation: [ku]
-
Kwak (곽)
-
Meaning: City wall
-
Pronunciation: [kwak]
-
Kwon (권)
-
Meaning: Authority, power
-
Pronunciation: [kwʌn]
-
Lee (이)
-
Meaning: Plum tree
-
Pronunciation: [i]
-
Lim (임)
-
Meaning: Forest
-
Pronunciation: [im]
-
Ma (마)
-
Meaning: Horse
-
Pronunciation: [ma]
-
Min (민)
-
Meaning: Clever, quick
-
Pronunciation: [min]
-
Moon (문)
-
Meaning: Door, literature
-
Pronunciation: [mun]
-
Mun (문)
-
Meaning: Same as above
-
Pronunciation: [mun]
-
Nam (남)
-
Meaning: South
-
Pronunciation: [nam]
-
Na (나)
-
Meaning: Me, I
-
Pronunciation: [na]
-
Oh (오)
-
Meaning: Five
-
Pronunciation: [o]
-
Ok (옥)
-
Meaning: Jade
-
Pronunciation: [ok]
Widespread & Well-Known Korean Last Names
-
Park (박)
-
Meaning: Gourd
-
Pronunciation: [pak]
-
Paek (백)
-
Meaning: White
-
Pronunciation: [pɛk]
-
Pyeon (편)
-
Meaning: Convenient, flat
-
Pronunciation: [pjʌn]
-
Rhee (이)
-
Meaning: Plum tree
-
Pronunciation: [i]
-
Rim (림)
-
Meaning: Forest
-
Pronunciation: [rim]
-
Ryu (류)
-
Meaning: Willow tree
-
Pronunciation: [ɾju]
-
Seo (서)
-
Meaning: West
-
Pronunciation: [sʌ]
-
Seok (석)
-
Meaning: Stone
-
Pronunciation: [sʌk]
-
Shin (신)
-
Meaning: Trust, faith
-
Pronunciation: [ɕin]
-
Sim (심)
-
Meaning: Deep, profound
-
Pronunciation: [ɕim]
-
Son (손)
-
Meaning: Hand
-
Pronunciation: [son]
-
Song (송)
-
Meaning: Pine tree
-
Pronunciation: [soŋ]
-
Suk (석)
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Meaning: Stone
-
Pronunciation: [sʌk]
-
Tak (탁)
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Meaning: Lofty, eminent
-
Pronunciation: [tʰak]
-
Tang (당)
-
Meaning: Hall, Chinese Tang dynasty
-
Pronunciation: [taŋ]
-
Uhm (엄)
-
Meaning: Strict, stern
-
Pronunciation: [ʌm]
-
Um (엄)
-
Meaning: Same
-
Pronunciation: [ʌm]
-
Un (운)
-
Meaning: Fortune, luck
-
Pronunciation: [un]
-
Wang (왕)
-
Meaning: King
-
Pronunciation: [waŋ]
-
Wi (위)
-
Meaning: High, lofty
-
Pronunciation: [wi]
-
Won (원)
-
Meaning: First, origin, beginning
-
Pronunciation: [wʌn]
-
Woo (우)
-
Meaning: Help, assist
-
Pronunciation: [u]
-
Yang (양)
-
Meaning: Positive (yin-yang), sheep
-
Pronunciation: [jaŋ]
-
Ye (예)
-
Meaning: Courtesy, etiquette
-
Pronunciation: [je]
-
Yeom (염)
-
Meaning: Salt
-
Pronunciation: [jʌm]
-
Yeo (여)
-
Meaning: Gentle, mild
-
Pronunciation: [jʌ]
-
Yoon (윤)
-
Meaning: Allow, govern
-
Pronunciation: [jun]
-
You (유)
-
Meaning: Flow, willow
-
Pronunciation: [ju]
-
Yoo (유)
-
Meaning: Flow, willow
-
Pronunciation: [ju]
-
Yu (유)
-
Meaning: Same
-
Pronunciation: [ju]
-
Yuk (육)
-
Meaning: Meat, flesh / six
-
Pronunciation: [juk]
-
Chaee (채)
-
Meaning: Collect, color
-
Pronunciation: [tɕʰɛ]
-
Baem (뱀)
-
Meaning: Snake
-
Pronunciation: [pɛm]
-
Chae-eun (채은)
-
Meaning: Graceful color
-
Pronunciation: [tɕʰɛ ɯn]
-
Deok (덕)
-
Meaning: Virtue, morality
-
Pronunciation: [tʌk]
-
Gae (개)
-
Meaning: Dog
-
Pronunciation: [kɛ]
-
Gam (감)
-
Meaning: Persimmon or supervise
-
Pronunciation: [kam]
-
Haeng (행)
-
Meaning: Fortunate, travel
-
Pronunciation: [hɛŋ]
-
Hoi (회)
-
Meaning: Gather, assemble
-
Pronunciation: [hwe]
-
Ho (호)
-
Meaning: Lake or tiger
-
Pronunciation: [ho]
-
Hyun (현)
-
Meaning: Wise, virtuous
-
Pronunciation: [hjʌn]
-
Ik (익)
-
Meaning: Benefit, gain
-
Pronunciation: [ik]
-
Jae (재)
-
Meaning: Talent, wealth
-
Pronunciation: [tɕɛ]
-
Jin (진)
-
Meaning: Truth, treasure
-
Pronunciation: [tɕin]
-
Ji (지)
-
Meaning: Wisdom, knowledge
-
Pronunciation: [tɕi]
-
Naeng (냉)
-
Meaning: Cold
-
Pronunciation: [nɛŋ]
-
No (노)
-
Meaning: Old, respectful
-
Pronunciation: [no]
-
Noh (노)
-
Meaning: Same
-
Pronunciation: [no]
-
Ra (라)
-
Meaning: Net or snare
-
Pronunciation: [ɾa]
-
Rang (랑)
-
Meaning: Bright, shining
-
Pronunciation: [ɾaŋ]
Traditional & Cultural Korean Last Name
-
Rim (림)
-
Meaning: Forest
-
Pronunciation: [rim]
-
Sa (사)
-
Meaning: Four / Office
-
Pronunciation: [sa]
-
San (산)
-
Meaning: Mountain
-
Pronunciation: [san]
-
Sang (상)
-
Meaning: Mutual, each other
-
Pronunciation: [saŋ]
-
Seung (승)
-
Meaning: Victory
-
Pronunciation: [sɯŋ]
-
So (소)
-
Meaning: Small or cow
-
Pronunciation: [so]
-
Sohn (손)
-
Meaning: Hand
-
Pronunciation: [son]
-
Soon (순)
-
Meaning: Pure, obedient
-
Pronunciation: [sun]
-
Sook (숙)
-
Meaning: Pure, graceful
-
Pronunciation: [suk]
-
Sung (성)
-
Meaning: Accomplishment, success
-
Pronunciation: [sʌŋ]
-
Tae (태)
-
Meaning: Great, exalted
-
Pronunciation: [tʰɛ]
-
Tae-eun (태은)
-
Meaning: Great grace
-
Pronunciation: [tʰɛ ɯn]
-
Taek (택)
-
Meaning: Choose, select
-
Pronunciation: [tʰɛk]
-
Tan (탄)
-
Meaning: Charcoal or birth
-
Pronunciation: [tan]
-
Tong (통)
-
Meaning: Unite, connect
-
Pronunciation: [tʰoŋ]
-
U (우)
-
Meaning: Rain or friend
-
Pronunciation: [u]
-
Uk (욱)
-
Meaning: Rising sun, shine
-
Pronunciation: [uk]
-
Un (운)
-
Meaning: Luck
-
Pronunciation: [un]
-
Wan (완)
-
Meaning: Finish, complete
-
Pronunciation: [wan]
-
Weon (원)
-
Meaning: Origin
-
Pronunciation: [wʌn]
-
We (위)
-
Meaning: Lofty
-
Pronunciation: [wi]
-
Whang (황)
-
Meaning: Yellow
-
Pronunciation: [hwaŋ]
-
Whan (환)
-
Meaning: Bright, luminous
-
Pronunciation: [hwan]
-
Woo-jin (우진)
-
Meaning: Assist + treasure
-
Pronunciation: [u dʑin]
-
Wook (욱)
-
Meaning: Shine
-
Pronunciation: [uk]
-
Woon (운)
-
Meaning: Fortune
-
Pronunciation: [un]
-
Yak (약)
-
Meaning: Medicine, promise
-
Pronunciation: [jak]
-
Yang-hee (양희)
-
Meaning: Gentle joy
-
Pronunciation: [jaŋ hi]
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Yeo-jin (여진)
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Meaning: Gentle + truth
-
Pronunciation: [jʌ dʑin]
-
Yeong (영)
-
Meaning: Hero, spirit
-
Pronunciation: [jʌŋ]
-
Yeon (연)
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Meaning: Connection, lotus
-
Pronunciation: [jʌn]
-
Yong (용)
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Meaning: Dragon
-
Pronunciation: [joŋ]
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Yong-ho (용호)
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Meaning: Dragon + tiger
-
Pronunciation: [joŋ ho]
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Yoo-min (유민)
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Meaning: Gentle people
-
Pronunciation: [ju min]
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Youn (윤)
-
Meaning: Govern
-
Pronunciation: [jun]
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Yul (율)
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Meaning: Law, rhythm
-
Pronunciation: [jul]
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Yung (융)
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Meaning: Harmonize
-
Pronunciation: [juŋ]
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Yun (윤)
-
Meaning: Same
-
Pronunciation: [jun]
-
Za (자)
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Meaning: Child, character
-
Pronunciation: [dʑa]
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Zang (장)
-
Meaning: Chapter
-
Pronunciation: [tɕaŋ]
-
Je (제)
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Meaning: Ritual, control
-
Pronunciation: [tɕe]
-
Bin (빈)
-
Meaning: Refined, elegant
-
Pronunciation: [pin]
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Bong (봉)
-
Meaning: Phoenix or offer
-
Pronunciation: [poŋ]
-
Bo (보)
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Meaning: Treasure, protect
-
Pronunciation: [po]
-
Bon (본)
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Meaning: Root, origin
-
Pronunciation: [pon]
-
Byong (병)
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Meaning: Soldier, illness
-
Pronunciation: [pjʌŋ]
-
Dan (단)
-
Meaning: Red, pure
-
Pronunciation: [tan]
-
Deul (들)
-
Meaning: Field
-
Pronunciation: [tɯl]
-
Dong (동)
-
Meaning: East, movement
-
Pronunciation: [toŋ]
-
Eun (은)
-
Meaning: Silver, grace
-
Pronunciation: [ɯn]
Historic & Meaningful Korean Last Names
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Geon (건)
-
Meaning: Strong
-
Pronunciation: [kʌn]
-
Geum (금)
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Meaning: Gold
-
Pronunciation: [kɯm]
-
Gi (기)
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Meaning: Energy, base
-
Pronunciation: [ki]
-
Ha-eun (하은)
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Meaning: Summer + grace
-
Pronunciation: [ha ɯn]
-
Han-seo (한서)
-
Meaning: Great + west
-
Pronunciation: [han sʌ]
-
Hee (희)
-
Meaning: Joy
-
Pronunciation: [hi]
-
Hae (해)
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Meaning: Sea or sun
-
Pronunciation: [hɛ]
-
Hee-jin (희진)
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Meaning: Joy + treasure
-
Pronunciation: [hi dʑin]
-
Hwa (화)
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Meaning: Flower, fire
-
Pronunciation: [hwa]
-
Hyuk (혁)
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Meaning: Radiant, revolution
-
Pronunciation: [hjʌk]
-
Hyo (효)
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Meaning: Filial piety
-
Pronunciation: [hjo]
-
Il (일)
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Meaning: One, day
-
Pronunciation: [il]
-
In (인)
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Meaning: Benevolence, person
-
Pronunciation: [in]
-
Ja (자)
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Meaning: Magnetism, character
-
Pronunciation: [dʑa]
-
Jang-ho (장호)
-
Meaning: Chapter + tiger
-
Pronunciation: [tɕaŋ ho]
-
Jeong-ho (정호)
-
Meaning: Upright + tiger
-
Pronunciation: [tɕʌŋ ho]
-
Ji-ho (지호)
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Meaning: Wisdom + tiger
-
Pronunciation: [tɕi ho]
-
Joon (준)
-
Meaning: Handsome, talented
-
Pronunciation: [tɕun]
-
Kyung (경)
-
Meaning: Respect, scenery
-
Pronunciation: [kjʌŋ]
-
Kyu (규)
-
Meaning: Standard, rule
-
Pronunciation: [kju]
-
La (라)
-
Meaning: Net, snare
-
Pronunciation: [ɾa]
-
Man (만)
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Meaning: Fullness, ten thousand
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Pronunciation: [man]
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Mi (미)
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Meaning: Beauty
-
Pronunciation: [mi]
-
Min-seo (민서)
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Meaning: Quick + west
-
Pronunciation: [min sʌ]
-
Mok (목)
-
Meaning: Neck, wood
-
Pronunciation: [mok]
-
Moon-soo (문수)
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Meaning: Literary + longevity
-
Pronunciation: [mun su]
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Myung (명)
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Meaning: Bright
-
Pronunciation: [mjʌŋ]
-
Nam-joon (남준)
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Meaning: South + talent
-
Pronunciation: [nam tɕun]
-
Nok (녹)
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Meaning: Green, deer
-
Pronunciation: [nok]
-
On (온)
-
Meaning: Warm, gentle
-
Pronunciation: [on]
-
Ra-on (라온)
-
Meaning: Joyful
-
Pronunciation: [ɾa on]
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Reum (름)
-
Meaning: Softness
-
Pronunciation: [ɾɯm]
-
Ri (리)
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Meaning: Plum (rare, used in North Korea)
-
Pronunciation: [ɾi]
-
Ro (로)
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Meaning: Path, dew
-
Pronunciation: [ɾo]
-
Ryu-seok (류석)
-
Meaning: Willow + stone
-
Pronunciation: [ɾju sʌk]
-
Saeng (생)
-
Meaning: Life, birth
-
Pronunciation: [sɛŋ]
-
Sae (새)
-
Meaning: New
-
Pronunciation: [sɛ]
-
Seok-jin (석진)
-
Meaning: Stone + treasure
-
Pronunciation: [sʌk dʑin]
-
Seo-joon (서준)
-
Meaning: West + talented
-
Pronunciation: [sʌ tɕun]
-
Seol (설)
-
Meaning: Snow
-
Pronunciation: [sʌl]
-
Seong (성)
-
Meaning: Success, castle
-
Pronunciation: [sʌŋ]
-
Si (시)
-
Meaning: Time, poem
-
Pronunciation: [ɕi]
-
Sin (신)
-
Meaning: God, new
-
Pronunciation: [ɕin]
-
So-ra (소라)
-
Meaning: Sea shell
-
Pronunciation: [so ɾa]
-
Soon-ae (순애)
-
Meaning: Pure love
-
Pronunciation: [sun ɛ]
-
Suh (서)
-
Meaning: West
-
Pronunciation: [sʌ]
-
Sun (선)
-
Meaning: Goodness, line
-
Pronunciation: [sʌn]
-
Sung-hoon (성훈)
-
Meaning: Achievement + merit
-
Pronunciation: [sʌŋ hun]
-
Taeyang (태양)
-
Meaning: Sun
-
Pronunciation: [tʰɛ jaŋ]
-
Ujin (우진)
-
Meaning: Rain/help + treasure
-
Pronunciation: [u dʑin]
Modern and Rare Korean Last Names
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Woon-jae (운재)
-
Meaning: Fortune + talent
-
Pronunciation: [un dʑe]
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Won-bin (원빈)
-
Meaning: Origin + shining/bright
-
Pronunciation: [wʌn bin]
-
Woo-sung (우성)
-
Meaning: Rain/help + star/success
-
Pronunciation: [u sʌŋ]
-
Ye-jun (예준)
-
Meaning: Courtesy + talented
-
Pronunciation: [je tɕun]
-
Yeo-reum (여름)
-
Meaning: Summer
-
Pronunciation: [jʌ ɾɯm]
-
Yong-seok (용석)
-
Meaning: Dragon + stone
-
Pronunciation: [joŋ sʌk]
-
Yoon-seo (윤서)
-
Meaning: Govern + west/scripture
-
Pronunciation: [jun sʌ]
-
Yul-seong (율성)
-
Meaning: Rhythm + star
-
Pronunciation: [jul sʌŋ]
-
Beom (범)
-
Meaning: Pattern, tiger
-
Pronunciation: [pʌm]
-
Bo-kyung (보경)
-
Meaning: Treasure + brightness
-
Pronunciation: [po kjʌŋ]
-
Chan (찬)
-
Meaning: Praise
-
Pronunciation: [tɕʰan]
-
Chang (창)
-
Meaning: Window or bright
-
Pronunciation: [tɕʰaŋ]
-
Chi (치)
-
Meaning: Rule or tooth
-
Pronunciation: [tɕʰi]
-
Chun (춘)
-
Meaning: Spring (season)
-
Pronunciation: [tɕʰun]
-
Dae (대)
-
Meaning: Big, great
-
Pronunciation: [tɛ]
-
Dal (달)
-
Meaning: Moon
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Pronunciation: [tal]
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Doh (도)
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Meaning: Way, path
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Pronunciation: [to]
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Dong-hyun (동현)
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Meaning: East + wise
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Pronunciation: [toŋ hjʌn]
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Eui (의)
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Meaning: Righteousness
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Pronunciation: [ɰi]
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Eun-jae (은재)
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Meaning: Grace + talent
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Pronunciation: [ɯn dʑe]
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Eun-woo (은우)
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Meaning: Grace + universe
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Pronunciation: [ɯn u]
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Geon-woo (건우)
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Meaning: Strength + universe
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Pronunciation: [kʌn u]
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Ha-joon (하준)
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Meaning: Summer + talented
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Pronunciation: [ha tɕun]
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Hae-won (해원)
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Meaning: Sea + origin
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Pronunciation: [hɛ wʌn]
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Han-na (한나)
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Meaning: Grace or favor
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Pronunciation: [han na]
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Hee-soo (희수)
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Meaning: Joy + long life
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Pronunciation: [hi su]
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Ho-jin (호진)
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Meaning: Tiger + treasure
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Pronunciation: [ho dʑin]
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Hwan (환)
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Meaning: Shine, glow
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Pronunciation: [hwan]
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Hyun-woo (현우)
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Meaning: Wise + universe
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Pronunciation: [hjʌn u]
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Il-sung (일성)
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Meaning: One + star
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Pronunciation: [il sʌŋ]
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In-ha (인하)
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Meaning: Kindness + river
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Pronunciation: [in ha]
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Jae-hee (재희)
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Meaning: Talent + joy
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Pronunciation: [tɕɛ hi]
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Jang-mi (장미)
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Meaning: Rose
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Pronunciation: [tɕaŋ mi]
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Ji-a (지아)
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Meaning: Wisdom + beauty
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Pronunciation: [tɕi a]
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Ji-hye (지혜)
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Meaning: Wisdom
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Pronunciation: [tɕi he]
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Jin-woo (진우)
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Meaning: Treasure + universe
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Pronunciation: [tɕin u]
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Joon-ho (준호)
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Meaning: Talented + tiger
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Pronunciation: [tɕun ho]
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Jun-seo (준서)
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Meaning: Talented + scripture
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Pronunciation: [tɕun sʌ]
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Kyung-ho (경호)
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Meaning: Respect + tiger
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Pronunciation: [kjʌŋ ho]
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Mi-sook (미숙)
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Meaning: Beauty + purity
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Pronunciation: [mi suk]
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Min-ji (민지)
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Meaning: Clever + wisdom
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Pronunciation: [min tɕi]
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Na-ra (나라)
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Meaning: Nation, country
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Pronunciation: [na ɾa]
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Na-young (나영)
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Meaning: Elegant me
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Pronunciation: [na jʌŋ]
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Rae (래)
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Meaning: Coming, future
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Pronunciation: [ɾɛ]
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Ra-im (라임)
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Meaning: Creative compound name, modern
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Pronunciation: [ɾa im]
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Rin (린)
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Meaning: Jewel, dignity
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Pronunciation: [ɾin]
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Ro-sa (로사)
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Meaning: Rosa (rose in Latin, used in Korean)
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Pronunciation: [ɾo sa]
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Sae-rom (새롬)
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Meaning: Newness
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Pronunciation: [sɛ ɾom]
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Sang-wook (상욱)
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Meaning: Mutual + rise
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Pronunciation: [saŋ uk]
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Seo-hyun (서현)
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Meaning: Auspicious + wise
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Pronunciation: [sʌ hjʌn]
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Seul-gi (슬기)
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Meaning: Wisdom
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Pronunciation: [sɯl gi]
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Seung-woo (승우)
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Meaning: Victory + universe
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Pronunciation: [sɯŋ u]
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Si-woo (시우)
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Meaning: Time + universe
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Pronunciation: [ɕi u]
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Soo-bin (수빈)
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Meaning: Excellent + refined
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Pronunciation: [su bin]
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Soo-jin (수진)
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Meaning: Excellent + treasure
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Pronunciation: [su dʑin]
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Su-yeon (수연)
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Meaning: Graceful connection
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Pronunciation: [su jʌn]
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Tae-hyun (태현)
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Meaning: Great + wise
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Pronunciation: [tʰɛ hjʌn]
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Ye-eun (예은)
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Meaning: Grace + silver
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Pronunciation: [je ɯn]
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Yeon-woo (연우)
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Meaning: Lotus + universe
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Pronunciation: [jʌn u]
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Yoon-ah (윤아)
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Meaning: Governance + beauty
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Pronunciation: [jun a]
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Yoon-gi (윤기)
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Meaning: Shine, luster
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Pronunciation: [jun gi]
Creative and Extended Korean Last Names
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Na-young (나영)
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Meaning: Elegant me
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Pronunciation: [na jʌŋ]
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Rae (래)
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Meaning: Coming, future
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Pronunciation: [ɾɛ]
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Ra-im (라임)
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Meaning: Creative compound name, modern
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Pronunciation: [ɾa im]
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Rin (린)
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Meaning: Jewel, dignity
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Pronunciation: [ɾin]
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Ro-sa (로사)
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Meaning: Rosa (Rose in Latin origin, used in Korean contexts)
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Pronunciation: [ɾo sa]
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Sae-rom (새롬)
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Meaning: Newness
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Pronunciation: [sɛ ɾom]
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Sang-wook (상욱)
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Meaning: Mutual + rise
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Pronunciation: [saŋ uk]
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Seo-hyun (서현)
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Meaning: Auspicious + wise
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Pronunciation: [sʌ hjʌn]
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Seul-gi (슬기)
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Meaning: Wisdom
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Pronunciation: [sɯl gi]
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Seung-woo (승우)
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Meaning: Victory + universe
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Pronunciation: [sɯŋ u]
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Si-woo (시우)
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Meaning: Time + universe
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Pronunciation: [ɕi u]
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Soo-bin (수빈)
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Meaning: Excellent + refined
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Pronunciation: [su bin]
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Soo-jin (수진)
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Meaning: Excellent + treasure
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Pronunciation: [su dʑin]
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Su-yeon (수연)
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Meaning: Graceful connection
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Pronunciation: [su jʌn]
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Tae-hyun (태현)
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Meaning: Great + wise
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Pronunciation: [tʰɛ hjʌn]
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Ye-eun (예은)
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Meaning: Grace + silver
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Pronunciation: [je ɯn]
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Yeon-woo (연우)
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Meaning: Lotus + universe
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Pronunciation: [jʌn u]
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Yoon-ah (윤아)
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Meaning: Governance + beauty
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Pronunciation: [jun a]
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Yoon-gi (윤기)
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Meaning: Shine, luster
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Pronunciation: [jun gi]
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Jin-ha (진하)
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Meaning: Treasure + river
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Pronunciation: [tɕin ha]
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Seo-bin (서빈)
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Meaning: West + refined
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Pronunciation: [sʌ bin]
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Ha-rin (하린)
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Meaning: Summer + dignity
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Pronunciation: [ha ɾin]
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Do-yun (도윤)
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Meaning: Path + allow/govern
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Pronunciation: [to jun]
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Ae-ra (애라)
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Meaning: Love + net/snare
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Pronunciation: [ɛ ɾa]
Wrapping Up
Names aren’t random—they’re chosen, passed down, and remembered.
Korean last names reflect generations of strength, purpose, and pride.
From the poetic to the powerful, each name in this list offers a deeper layer of meaning that’s easy to appreciate once you know what’s behind it.
These names aren’t just sounds or syllables—they represent values that still shape Korean culture today. If a name stood out to you or made you think differently, let us know in the comments.
Got a Korean last name with a cool meaning we missed?
Share it! We’re all about building something better together—one name at a time.
