How to Get a Korean Name: A Native Speaker's Guide
How to get a Korean name that sounds natural: pick a surname, choose a given name by sound or meaning, avoid common mistakes, and see how Koreans name their kids.
By a native Korean teacher · · 2 min read
A Korean name usually has three syllables: a one-syllable family name first, then a two-syllable given name, like 김서연 (Gim Seoyeon). To get one that sounds natural, pick a common surname, then choose a given name that either sounds like your real name or carries a meaning you like, and check that it fits your age and gender.
Word at a glance
한국 이름hanguk ireum
- Literally
- Korean name
- In natural English
- a Korean name of your own
How Korean names are built
Most Korean names are three syllables long. The family name comes first and is almost always one syllable, such as 김 (Kim), 이 (Lee) or 박 (Park). The given name that follows is usually two syllables, such as 서연 (Seoyeon) or 민준 (Minjun).
Each syllable of a traditional given name is often tied to a Chinese character (한자, hanja) chosen for its meaning, so two people named 서연 can have names that mean different things.
Step 1: choose a family name
Unless you have Korean heritage, the easiest choice is one of the common surnames. Kim, Lee and Park alone cover a large share of the population, so they sound instantly natural. Some learners pick the surname of a favorite actor or idol, which is also fine.
Step 2: choose a given name
There are three popular ways to do it.
- By sound: pick syllables close to your real name, such as Hana for Hannah or Minho for Mino. This makes it easy for friends to connect the two.
- By meaning: choose syllables whose hanja mean something you like, such as brightness, wisdom or peace.
- Pure Korean names (순우리말 이름): names made from native Korean words, such as 하늘 (Haneul, sky), 나래 (Narae, wings) or 보람 (Boram, worthwhile).
Step 3: check that it sounds right
Names have trends, just like in English. 영희 (Yeonghui) or 철수 (Cheolsu) sound like a textbook from decades ago, while names like 서윤 (Seoyun) or 도윤 (Doyun) sound young and modern. Some syllables also lean male or female, so ask a Korean speaker, or use a tool that already accounts for this.
제 한국 이름은 김하나예요.
Je hanguk ireumeun Gim Hanayeyo.
My Korean name is Kim Hana.
한국 이름 있어요?
Hanguk ireum isseoyo?
Do you have a Korean name?
How Koreans name their own babies
Korean parents often think hard about the hanja behind each syllable. Some families use a generation name (돌림자, dollimja), a syllable shared by all cousins of the same generation. Others visit a naming office (작명소, jangmyeongso) that chooses a name to balance the baby's saju, the four pillars of their birth time. That is why a name and a saju chart are often talked about together in Korea.
Questions people ask
Is it okay for a foreigner to have a Korean name?+
Yes. Many learners, students and expats use one, and Koreans usually find it friendly. It is a nickname, not a legal change.
Should my Korean name sound like my real name?+
It doesn't have to. Sound-alike names are easy to remember, while meaning-based names feel more personal. Both are common.
Can I just use my English name in Korea?+
Of course. A Korean name is optional, but it can make introductions in Korean class or with friends more fun.
How do I write my Korean name in Hangul?+
Write the family name first, then the given name, with no space between them in most cases, such as 김하나.