📌 Korean Naming Culture: Surnames and Given Names
Ever wonder why so many Koreans have the surname Kim, Lee, or Park? Or why their full name often has just three syllables? Korean names may look simple at first glance, but they carry deep cultural significance, linguistic structure, and even history. In this post, we’ll dive into how Korean names work, how to read them, and what to know when using them in conversation.
📚 Table of Contents
1. Basic Structure of Korean Names
Korean names usually consist of three syllables: one for the surname (family name) and two for the given name. For example:
- 김민수 (Kim Min-su)
- 이수진 (Lee Su-jin)
- 박지현 (Park Ji-hyun)
The surname always comes first in Korean — the opposite of the Western convention. This reflects Korea’s Confucian values of family and ancestry.
2. Common Surnames
Here are some of the most common Korean surnames:
- 김 (Kim) – the most common surname, about 20% of Koreans
- 이 (Lee) – often Romanized as "Lee" or "Yi"
- 박 (Park) – pronounced closer to "Bak" in Korean
- 최 (Choi) – pronounced "Chwe" or "Chay"
- 정 (Jung) – also spelled "Jeong"
3. Given Names and Their Meanings
Korean given names usually have two syllables, each with a meaning based on Chinese characters (Hanja). Families often choose names that reflect virtues, nature, or aspirations. For example:
- 지훈 (Ji-hoon) – 지(智): wisdom + 훈(勳): merit
- 서연 (Seo-yeon) – 서(書): writing/book + 연(姸): graceful
- 민재 (Min-jae) – 민(敏): clever + 재(才): talent
While traditional names used Hanja, modern parents sometimes choose native Korean words or simply focus on how the name sounds.
4. Name Order and Pronunciation
For example:
- 민수 씨 (Min-su ssi) – polite form of addressing Min-su
- 박지현 씨 (Park Ji-hyun ssi) – formal but friendly
Be careful with pronunciation! The “Lee” surname is actually pronounced closer to “Ee,” and “Choi” sounds more like “Chwe.” Getting names right shows respect — and impresses your Korean friends.
5. 🤔 Did you know?
In Korean culture, it's common for people to be referred to by their job title or family role rather than their name. Instead of “Mr. Kim,” you might hear “과장님” (Manager) or “민수 엄마” (Min-su’s mom). Using someone’s actual name can even feel too direct or intimate in certain situations.
This reflects Korea’s deep respect for hierarchy, family, and social roles — all of which are subtly encoded in how names are used.
6. Practice on italki
👉 Book a class with me on italki and learn to speak with confidence and cultural awareness!
