Korean last names have deep meanings and long histories. Many of them come from nature, important values, or ancient families. In Korea, a few surnames are very common, with Kim, Lee, and Park being the most well-known.
Each last name has a special meaning, often linked to noble families, scholars, or royalty. These surnames have been passed down for generations and are an important part of Korean culture.
Understanding the meanings behind them helps us learn more about Korea’s traditions and history. In this blog, we will explore 100+ common Korean last names and their meanings.
- Kim (김, 金) – Gold
- Lee (이/리, 李) – Plum tree
- Park (박, 朴) – Gourd
- Choi (최, 崔) – High, lofty
- Jung (정, 鄭) – Proper, upright
- Kang (강, 姜) – Ginger
- Yoon (윤, 尹) – To govern
- Lim (임/林, 林) – Forest
- Han (한, 韓) – Great, Korea
- Oh (오, 吳) – A surname from China
- Shin (신, 申) – To state, report
- Seo (서, 徐) – Slowly, gradually
- Kwon (권, 權) – Authority, power
- Hwang (황, 黃) – Yellow
- Ahn (안, 安) – Peace, stability
- Song (송, 宋) – A Chinese dynasty name
- Jang (장, 張) – To stretch, expand
- Jeon (전, 全) – Whole, complete
- Bae (배, 裵) – A type of gourd
- Baek (백, 白) – White, pure
- Cha (차, 車) – Car, vehicle
- Nam (남, 南) – South
- Ha (하, 河) – River
- Gu (구, 具) – Tool, instrument
- Ma (마, 馬) – Horse
- Seok (석, 石) – Stone
- Jeong (정, 丁) – Square, stable
- Do (도, 都) – Capital city
- Ryu (류/유, 柳) – Willow tree
- Yoo (유, 兪) – Permit, allow
- Byun (변, 卞) – Sudden, change
- Min (민, 閔) – Smart, sharp
- Chun (천, 千) – Thousand
- Joo (주, 朱) – Vermillion, red
- Moon (문, 文) – Literature, writing
- Go (고, 高) – High, tall
- Jin (진, 陳) – Display, exhibit
- Huh (허, 許) – Permit, allow
- Noh (노/로, 魯) – Foolish, slow-witted
- Im (임, 任) – Responsibility
- Woo (우, 禹) – Legendary emperor
- Hong (홍, 洪) – Vast, flood
- Na (나, 羅) – Net, silk
- Chae (채, 蔡) – Vegetable, herb
- Kong (공, 孔) – Hole, empty
- Tang (탕, 湯) – Soup, hot water
- Hwangbo (황보, 皇甫) – Imperial, noble
- Maeng (맹, 孟) – Elder, firstborn
- Pyeon (편, 片) – Fragment, piece
- Bo (보, 普) – Universal, general
- Yeon (연, 延) – Extend, prolong
- Yang (양, 梁) – Beam, bridge
- Ham (함, 咸) – All, together
- Ok (옥, 玉) – Jade
- Won (원, 元) – Origin, beginning
- Seong (성, 成) – Accomplish, succeed
- Sim (심, 沈) – Deep, sink
- Gong (공, 龔) – Respect, reverence
- Sa (사, 司) – Supervise, manage
- Tak (탁, 卓) – Outstanding, eminent
- Bang (방, 方) – Direction, square
- Suk (석, 錫) – Tin, grant
- Hae (해, 解) – Solve, understand
- Mu (무, 武) – Martial, military
- Deok (덕, 德) – Virtue, morality
- Hyeon (현, 玄) – Profound, deep
- Bok (복, 福) – Fortune, happiness
- Cheong (청, 靑) – Blue, youth
- Man (만, 萬) – Ten thousand, abundant
- Hyo (효, 孝) – Filial piety
- Gan (간, 簡) – Simple, frugal
- Eun (은, 殷) – Prosperous, silver
- Mun (문, 門) – Gate, door
- Yeong (영, 英) – Heroic, outstanding
- Sang (상, 相) – Mutual, together
- Geum (금, 琴) – Zither, harp
- Yeo (여, 呂) – Name of an ancient kingdom
- Hak (학, 學) – Learn, study
- Byeon (변, 卞) – Urgent, pressing
- Seol (설, 薛) – Persuade, explain
- Myeong (명, 明) – Bright, clear
- Seong (성, 星) – Star
- Dokgo (독고, 獨孤) – Lonely, isolated
- Bo (보, 保) – Protect, maintain
- Ryoo (류, 劉) – Kill, destroy
- Eo (어, 魚) – Fish
- Wi (위, 魏) – A historical Chinese state
- Ji (지, 池) – Pond, pool
- Che (체, 蔡) – Prosperity, abundance
- Seomun (서문, 西門) – West gate
- Pyeong (평, 平) – Peaceful, level
- Namgoong (남궁, 南宮) – Southern palace
- Dan (단, 段) – Section, paragraph
- Bong (봉, 鳳) – Phoenix
- Eom (엄, 嚴) – Strict, serious
- Ra (라, 羅) – Net, silk
- Mi (미, 美) – Beauty, excellence
- Ihn (인, 印) – Seal, stamp
- Yeom (염, 廉) – Honest, upright
- Gang (강, 剛) – Strong, firm
- San (산, 山) – Mountain
- Wang (왕, 王) – King, ruler
- Bin (빈, 賓) – Guest, visitor
- Gam (감, 甘) – Sweet, pleasant
- Tae (태, 太) – Great, grand
- Mo (모, 毛) – Hair, feather
- Jang (장, 蔣) – Name of a historical Chinese state
- Bong (봉, 峰) – Peak, summit
- Guk (국, 國) – Nation, country
- Chung (충, 忠) – Loyalty, devotion
- Ik (익, 益) – Benefit, profit
- Sun (선, 善) – Good, virtuous
- Dae (대, 大) – Big, great
- Ryuk (륙, 陸) – Land, continent
- Shi (시, 時) – Time, season
- Gyeon (견, 堅) – Firm, strong
- Joo (주, 州) – State, province
- Hyeok (혁, 革) – Reform, revolution
- Chun (춘, 春) – Spring, youth
- Myung (명, 名) – Name, reputation
- Sunwoo (선우, 鮮于) – Ancient noble family name
- Sohn (손, 孫) – Grandchild, descendant
- Eun (은, 恩) – Kindness, grace
- Cheon (천, 天) – Sky, heaven
- Yim (임, 吟) – Chant, recite
- Pan (판, 判) – Judge, decision
- Jae (재, 財) – Wealth, property
- Hye (혜) – Wisdom, blessing
Conclusion
Korean last names remain an important part of history and culture. They carry deep meanings and connect people to their ancestors. Whether linked to nature, values, or nobility, these surnames remind us of Korea’s rich traditions and strong heritage.
