Finding unique names can be a difficult task so many parents often turn to ones that are somewhat unorthodox in our country like Korean boy names.
Korean boy names might sound a bit odd to you at first, but each of them has deep meanings behind them which makes them truly special and could connect with your little one on a spiritual level.
Parents from South Korea choose their child’s name by figuring out the sort of quality they’d like for their child to inherit.
The way Korean baby names are formed is also quite interesting as the last name is often placed before the first name and they’re usually composed of around 2-3 parts.
There are exceptions with only one element, but they’re very rare.
With that in mind, I’ve searched the internet to seek out some of the top Korean boy names.
301 Popular Korean Boy Names
B
1. Beom-soo – possible meaning: To modern or to rule; to repair
2. Beom-seok – possible meaning: Pattern of a rock
3. Byung-wook – possible meaning: The soldier of the rising sun
4. Baek-Hyeon – possible meaning: A virtuous brother. Baek means “older brother”, Hyeon means “worthy and virtuous”.
5. Byung-joon – possible meaning: Talented soldier
6. Byeong-ho – possible meaning: Bright and great
7. Byung-ho – possible meaning: Byung means “soldier, together, authority”. Ho means “great, numerous, vast”.
8. Byung-hun – possible meaning: Soldier, together, authority
9. Byung-woo – possible meaning: Byung means “soldier, together, authority”. Woo means “eaves, house, and universe”.
10. Byung-hoon – possible meaning: Soldier of merit
11. Byung-chul – possible meaning: Soldier of wisdom
C
1. Chul – possible meaning: Firm
2. Cheol-min – possible meaning: Sharp wisdom
3. Chan-woo – possible meaning: Bright protector
4. Chan-young – possible meaning: Chan means “shining or bright”. Young means “hero”.
5. Chul-soon – possible meaning: An honest and wise person.
6. Chul-soo – possible meaning: Elegant wisdom
7. Chang-woo – possible meaning: Blessed spear
8. Chang-nam – possible meaning: The spear of the south
9. Chi-won – possible meaning: The distant present
10. Chang-hoon – possible meaning: The guiding spear
11. Chin-hae – possible meaning: Depth of the ocean
12. Cheol-Sun – possible meaning: Wise and honest person
13. Chun-Sun – possible meaning: Wise and honest person
14. Chun-Soon – possible meaning: Wise and honest person
15. Chung-hee – possible meaning: Righteous and dutiful
16. Chul-woo – possible meaning: This name can mean “iron world” or “wise universe”.
17. Chang-ho – possible meaning: Flourish, prosper; heaven, summer, sky
D
1. Dong-suk – possible meaning: Pure east
2. Do-won – possible meaning: Circular city
3. Dong-jun – possible meaning: The eastern king
4. Dae-won – possible meaning: Great spring
5. Dong-hyeon – possible meaning: This name means “eastern virtue”.
6. Do-hun – possible meaning: Merit and law
7. Dong-soo – possible meaning: Eastern shores
8. Deok-su – possible meaning: Virtue, ethics, morality and to defend, to protect, to guard
9. Dae-sung – possible meaning: This name means “complete and big”.
10. Dong-gun – possible meaning: This name means “east sky”.
11. Dae-jung – possible meaning: Big and middle
12. Dong-wook – possible meaning: This name can mean “eastern dawn”.
13. Dong-chul – possible meaning: Firm east
14. Dong-il – possible meaning: This name means “east sun”.
15. Dong-won – possible meaning: Eastern origin
16. Dong-ha – possible meaning: Eastern river
17. Dong-woo – possible meaning: Eastern world
18. Dong-geun – possible meaning: East, root, foundation
19. Dong-hoon – possible meaning: This name means “eastern teachings”.
20. Dong-chan – possible meaning: Eastern praise
21. Dong-hyuk – possible meaning: Shining east
22. Do-hyun – possible meaning: Virtuous path
23. Dae-hyun – possible meaning: A great honor
E
1. Eun-seong – possible meaning: Eun means “abundant or flourishing” and seong means “sincere or true”.
G
1. Gyeong-taek – possible meaning: Glowing pond
2. Gun – possible meaning: To construct
3. Gyeong-wan – possible meaning: Glowing purity
4. Geun – possible meaning: Near, close or root; foundation
5. Gyeong-tae – possible meaning: Gyeong means “shining or glowing” and tae means “large and great”.
H
1. Hyun-seok – possible meaning: Hyun means “worthy or wise”. Seok means “stone or strong”.
2. Hyun-ki – possible meaning: Wise and astute
3. Hong-gi – possible meaning: Hong means “vast, immense, or flood”, while gi means “foundation or base”.
4. Hyun-ho – possible meaning: A great mystery
5. Hae-il – possible meaning: The seaside sun
6. Hyung-joon – possible meaning: Extremely talented individual
7. Hyun-tae – possible meaning: Hyun can also mean “dark and mysterious”, and tae means “great”.
8. Han-jae – possible meaning: A vast ruler
9. Hyun-shik – possible meaning: Clear and honest wisdom
10. Ho-sung – possible meaning: Blessed victory
11. Hyun-seung – possible meaning: A worthy inheritor, successor
12. Ha-joon – possible meaning: A grand talent
13. Ho-jun – possible meaning: A heavenly talent
14. Hyuk-jae – possible meaning: A shining talent
15. Han-bin – possible meaning: A well-cultivated Korean
16. Haneul – possible meaning: Heaven
17. Hyun-woo – possible meaning: This name means “wealth”, “good luck”, and “strength”.
18. Hyun-jun – possible meaning: Hyun means “worthy or wise”, and jun means “talented and handsome”.
19. Hyung-sik – possible meaning: Trying for justice
20. Hyung-min – possible meaning: A gem of an older brother
21. Ho-jin – possible meaning: A fierce tiger
22. Hyung-won – possible meaning: An older half brother
23. Hye-seong – possible meaning: Comet, star, blessing
24. Hee-chul – possible meaning: Happiness
25. Hyuk – possible meaning: Leather, shining
26. Ho – possible meaning: Tiger, brave, or fierce
27. Hyun-wook – possible meaning: Radiant brilliance
28. Hoon – possible meaning: To merit or teach
I
1. Il-sung – possible meaning: Il means “one”, and sung means “accomplishment or achievement”.
2. Il – possible meaning: One, sun, day
3. In-sik – possible meaning: Planting seeds of benevolence
J
1. Joo-Won – possible meaning: Joo or Ju means “circumference” and Won means “origin; first” or “beautiful”.
2. Jong-hyeon – possible meaning: Jong means “ancestry, root, knowledge”, and hyeon can mean “to weep”, “to shine” or “clever”.
3. Jae-beom – possible meaning: ‘Jae means “official”, and beom means “tiger”.
4. Jin-kyu – possible meaning: The precious standard
5. Jung-nam – possible meaning: A righteous man of extreme talent
6. Jae-kuk – possible meaning: ‘Jae means “official”, and kuk means “nation or country”.
7. Jong-yul – possible meaning: Jong means “bells or chimes”, and yul means “ten” or “heat”.
8. Jae-joong – possible meaning: ‘Jae means “official”, and Joong means “handsome” or “standard”
9. Jeong-hun – possible meaning: Of correct rank
10. Jung-il – possible meaning: Jung means “righteous”. Il means “one”.
11. Jong-soo – possible meaning: To bear fruit of fundamental knowledge and/or ancestry.
12. Jae-woo – possible meaning: ‘Jae means “official”, and woo means “world”.
13. Jae-hyun – possible meaning: Jae means “respect”, and hyun means “virtuous”.
14. Jae-ho – possible meaning: At the lake
15. Jun-ho – possible meaning: A brightly talented individual
16. Jung-hoon – possible meaning: Jung means “righteous”. Hoon means “merit”.
17. Joo-hwan – possible meaning: A shining or brilliant pearl
18. Jung-sik – possible meaning: Jung means “righteous”, and sik means “rule”.
19. Jeong-myung – possible meaning: Heavy attachment to a specific person
20. Jeong-ho – possible meaning: Jeong means “right and correct”, and ho means “excellent or great”.
21. Jae-seong – possible meaning: Jae means “located at” or “to exist”, but it can also mean “kill or rule”. seong means “honest or true”.
22. Joo-heon – possible meaning: A silvery jewel or bead of great value
23. Jin-sun – possible meaning: A guide toward enlightenment
24. Junsu – possible meaning: Observance
25. Joon-ki – possible meaning: Joon means “standard”, and ki means “foundation or basis”.
26. Jeong-mo – possible meaning: A connection to the mother
27. Jin-woo – possible meaning: Jin means “advance, make progress”. Woo means “world”.
28. Jung-woo – possible meaning: This name means “right space”.
29. Jae-hyuk – possible meaning: Jae means “official”, and hyuk means “leather or shining”.
30. Jae-jin – possible meaning: To be at rest
31. Joon-hyuk – possible meaning: Joon means “standard”. Hyuk means “leather and shining”.
32. Jong-il – possible meaning: Either a single person or a single day
33. Joon-Sup – possible meaning: Joon means “standard”. Sup means “drink”.
34. Jae-yong – possible meaning: Jae means “official”, and yong means “use”.
35. Ji-woong – possible meaning: Intelligence, knowledge, or wisdom
36. Joong-ki – possible meaning: Joong means “handsome” or “standard”, and gi means “the action or process of”.
37. Jeong-jin – possible meaning: Jeong means “to hit” or “political affairs”, and jin means “progression or true”.
38. Jun-su – possible meaning: Extremely elegant and talented person of interest
39. Jong-hyuk – possible meaning: A shining example of an upstanding individual
40. Jae-woong – possible meaning: Jae means “official”, and woong means “hero” or “bear”.
41. Ji-hoon – possible meaning: Wisdom/purpose and rank
42. Jae-geun – possible meaning: Jae can mean “to exist”, and geun means “root, base, stump”.
43. Jun-young – possible meaning: A naturally talented individual of everlasting beauty
44. Jin-hyuk – possible meaning: An example of shining truth
45. Ji-hwan – possible meaning: One’s lustrous will. Ji means “determination, intention or will”, and hwan means “shining or lustrous”.
46. Jin-wook – possible meaning: Jin means “advance, make progress”. Wook means “country or nation”.
47. Jin-woon – possible meaning: Jin means “advance, make progress” and woon means “luck”.
48. Ji-woon – possible meaning: Ji means “determination, intention or will”, and woon means “luck”.
49. Jun-sang – possible meaning: Jun means “king or talented”, and sang means “yet and still”.
50. Jung-hwan – possible meaning: Righteous and beautiful honesty
51. Jae-joon – possible meaning: To deepen the mountain pass
52. Ji-seok – possible meaning: Ji means “determination, intention or will”, and seok means “three”.
53. Jun-ha – possible meaning: Approve, permit
54. Jeong-suk – possible meaning: A loyal, chaste and pure individual
55. Ji-hun – possible meaning: A great and ambitious intellect of high rank
56. Jae-won – possible meaning: To slaughter; to rule and spring; source, head
57. Jae-suk – possible meaning: Jae means “official”, and seok can mean “cutting in one powerful stroke”.
58. Ji-tae – possible meaning: A calm intellect steered toward peace
59. Jae-bong – possible meaning: The officially recognized name of a mythical bird
60. Jong-up – possible meaning: Jong means “bells or chimes”, and up means “art, business, or profession”.
61. Jun-seok – possible meaning: Jun means “king or talented”, and seok means “pure or virtuous”.
62. Jae-wook – possible meaning: Jae means “official”, and wook means “brilliance, radiant, or rising sun”.
63. Jae-gyu – possible meaning: To stride right on in
64. Jin-hwan – possible meaning: Advance, make progress, enter; and shining, brilliant, lustrous
65. Jun-seo – possible meaning: An auspicious and talented king
66. Joon-tae – possible meaning: An individual who represents an exceedingly high standard
67. Jae-seop – possible meaning: An individual of great talent and loads of experience
K
1. Ki-tae – possible meaning: Ki means “the action and process of”. Tae means “great”.
2. Kyung-chul – possible meaning: This name means “firm honor or respect”.
3. Ki-young – possible meaning: Ki means “the action and process of”, and young means “dive and swim”.
4. Kyung-ho – possible meaning: A happy event that brings about an abundance of joy
5. Kun-woo – possible meaning: To build one’s own universe or world
6. Kyung-jae – possible meaning: Passing through the long mountain pass
7. Kang-min – possible meaning: The jade river
8. Kwang-su – possible meaning: Light reflecting from the water washing ashore
9. Kyung-soo – possible meaning: A bright individual or one who is an early bloomer
10. Ki-woong – possible meaning: Ki means “the action and process of”. Woong means “hero”.
11. Kyung-hwan – possible meaning: Kyung means “passing” or “a happy event”, and hwan means “egg”, “change”, or “shine”.
12. Kyung-mo – possible meaning: Kyung means “passing” or “a happy event”. Mo means “mother”.
13. Kwang-sik – possible meaning: A light crop planting season. Kwang means “light”, and sik means “to plant”.
14. Kwang-min – possible meaning: A quick and clever individual who is light on his feet
15. Kwang-jo – possible meaning: A bright and shining castle made out of light
16. Ki-ha – possible meaning: The base of a stream, river or any body of flowing water
17. Kyung-gu – possible meaning: Kyung means “view or vista”, and gu means to “request or wish”.
18. Kwang-hyun – possible meaning: Kwang means “light”, and hyun means “worthy or wise”.
19. Kyu-chul – possible meaning: Kyu means “standard”, and chul means “firm”. Combined, this name means “firm standard”.
20. Ki-moon – possible meaning: The opening of a new gate, a new door or a window of opportunity
21. Kwang-hoon – possible meaning: Light and rank
22. Kwang-hyok – possible meaning: Kwang means “light”. Hyok means “leather and shining”.
23. Ki-woo – possible meaning: Ki means “the action and process of”. Woo means “world, the universe”.
24. Kyung-joon – possible meaning: A happy event symbolized by the arrival of a great individual
25. Kwang-ho – possible meaning: A great and shining light
26. Ki-nam – possible meaning: The actions of a great and responsible husband
27. Ki-jung – possible meaning: Ki means “foundation or basis”, and jung means “upright and erect”.
28. Kwang-hwan – possible meaning: A shining blaze of light
29. Kyung-seok – possible meaning: Kyung means “passing” or “a happy event”. Seok means “stone”.
30. Kwang-seok – possible meaning: Kwang means “light”, and seok means “stone”.
31. Kwang-seon – possible meaning: This means “light and goodness”.
32. Kyuhyun – possible meaning: Worthy like jade
M
1. Min-hyeok – possible meaning: Luminous jade gemstone
2. Man-sik – The one and only true wisdom
3. Myung-hwan – possible meaning: A brilliant and lustrous light radiating off of an individual
4. Min-woo – possible meaning: A universe or a world of jade
5. Man-soo – possible meaning: Man means “only or even”. Soo means “water or waterside”.
6. Myung-hoon – possible meaning: A brilliant teacher
7. Myung-bak – possible meaning: A gourd of brilliance, bright head/smart person
8. Min-ki – possible meaning: A bright and vigorous individual, one who is full of energy
9. Min-kyu – possible meaning: An affable or gentle individual
10. Min-chul – possible meaning: Min means “people or the nation”, and chul means “firm”. Combined, this name means “firm nation”.
11. Myung-yong – possible meaning: Bright dragon
12. Min-jun – possible meaning: A very clever and talented individual of a sharp mind
13. Mu-yeol – possible meaning: This name roughly means “bravery and fierceness in battle”.
14. Min-seok – possible meaning: Three sets of jade items
15. Myung-jun – possible meaning: This name roughly means “bright and handsome”.
16. Moon-soo – possible meaning: Moon means “writing”, and soo means “water or waterside”.
17. Myung-soo – possible meaning: A brilliant shore
18. Moon-sik – possible meaning: To write something new down; a new story
19. Man-seok – possible meaning: Something made only out of stone
20. Min-ho – possible meaning: A good or bright individual
N
1. Nam-il – possible meaning: This name roughly means “southern sun”.
2. Nam-kyu – possible meaning: The standard southern individual
3. Nam-gi – possible meaning: The southern rise
O
1. Oh-seong – possible meaning: A combination of five different stars and planets; Oh means “five”, and seong means “star or planet”.
S
1. Sung-nam – possible meaning: A mother’s wrath
2. Seung-won – possible meaning: Seung means “to win or to beat or inherit”, and won means “meadow” or “origin”.
3. Seung-hwan – possible meaning: A shining victory
4. Seong-hoon – possible meaning: To succeed in accomplishing or learning a notable merit
5. Sang-woo – possible meaning: A hard-working individual
6. Sang-chul – possible meaning: A wise and helpful individual
7. Sung-mo – possible meaning: The wrath of a mother
8. Seung-gi – possible meaning: This name roughly means “the sun rising”.
9. Sang-won – possible meaning: So close and yet so far away
10. Sung-ha – possible meaning: The method and wonder behind nature’s various accomplishments
11. Sang-jun – possible meaning: An eternally talented and handsome individual
12. Sung-won – possible meaning: Holy and blessed spring water
13. Seung-heon – possible meaning: To inherit a vast amount of wealth
14. Sung-soo – possible meaning: An outstanding, sincere and loyal individual
15. Seung-hoon – possible meaning: One who brings merit to a victory
16. Seung-woo – possible meaning: To inherit a new world
17. Sung-bin – possible meaning: An individual who is considered a shining success
18. Seung-soo – possible meaning: To inherit a sizable shoreline
19. Seong-jin – possible meaning: Seong means “finished or completed” and jin means “town or marketplace”.
20. Sung-jae – possible meaning: An individual with the talent of a future star
21. Seung-jae – possible meaning: An individual with the ability to win through great talent or to inherit a vast amount of wealth
22. Sung-chul – possible meaning: Accomplishments made through firm discipline
23. Seung-ho – possible meaning: To inherit an abundance of wealth; Seung means “to win or to beat or inherit”, and ho means “great or abundant”.
24. Sang-hoon – possible meaning: One who still holds a high rank due to his many great deeds
25. Sang-hyun – possible meaning: One who still remains shrouded in mystery
26. Sang-wook – possible meaning: This name roughly means “one who’s healthy and well always”.
27. Si-woo – possible meaning: A great and wonderful world and universe
28. Seung-jun – possible meaning: A genius individual who prides himself on excellence
29. Sung-ki – possible meaning: The foundation of a holy site
30. Se-yoon – possible meaning: The leader of a generation
31. Sung-min – possible meaning: An individual who wins through the use of his agility and dexterity
32. Soo-geun – possible meaning: Soo means “water or shore”, and geun means “foundation”.
33. Seok-ju – possible meaning: A person of strong importance
34. Seung-yoon – possible meaning: Seung means “to win or to beat or inherit”. Yoon means “governor”.
35. Seong-il – possible meaning: Seong means “completed or finished”, and il means “sun or day”.
36. Seo-jun – possible meaning: A fortunate omen for a talented individual
37. Sung-yong – possible meaning: One who carries the traits of a dragon
38. Sung-ho – possible meaning: A lake’s natural prosperity
39. Se-hun – possible meaning: An individual who performs many deeds of merit
40. Seung-chul – possible meaning: Seung means “to win or to beat or inherit”, and chul means “firm”.
41. Sung-woo – possible meaning: The holy saint of the world and the universe
42. Seong-keun – possible meaning: The core or base of a planet or a star
43. Suk-won – possible meaning: A good and charming, yet awfully distant individual
44. Seok-ho – possible meaning: Seok means “strong or stone”, and ho means “summer, sky, or heaven”.
T
1. Tae-ho – possible meaning: An individual of shining goodness
2. Tae-il – possible meaning: A great and celebrated day
3. Tae-woong – possible meaning: A great and celebrated hero
4. Tae-suk – possible meaning: A good and charming individual of great virtue
5. Tae – possible meaning: A great person
6. Tae-soo – possible meaning: A great body of water
7. Tae-woo – possible meaning: A great house, universe or world
8. Tae-sung – possible meaning: Tae means “great” and sung means “accomplish or succeed”.
9. Tae-yong – possible meaning: A great and beautiful leader
10. Tae-wook – possible meaning: Tae means “great” and wook means “rising sun or brilliance”.
11. Tae-joon – possible meaning: Tae means “great” and joon means “handsome” or “standard”.
12. Tae-min – possible meaning: A great and wonderful citizen
W
1. Won-ho – possible meaning: A single, circular lake
2. Won-yong – possible meaning: Won means “circle or one”, and yong means “dragon”.
3. Woon-Jae – possible meaning: Woon means “luck”. Jae means “again”.
4. Woo-sung – possible meaning: Woo means “suddenly”, and sung means “anger, rage, or wrath”.
5. Woong – possible meaning: A heroic individual
6. Won-chul – possible meaning: A source of wisdom
7. Won-sik – possible meaning: The person considered to be head of the family
8. Woo-jin – possible meaning: A sudden and pressing progression
9. Won-Sul – possible meaning: A singular theory, a singular opinion
10. Won-jae – possible meaning: Once again, a loop
11. Won-il – possible meaning: Won means “circle or one”, and il means “work or job”.
Y
1. Ye-jun – possible meaning: The craft of a talented man
2. Young-wook – possible meaning: This name roughly means “forever rising sun”.
3. Young-tae – possible meaning: Young means “forever or deep”, and tae means “great”.
4. Yoo-suk – possible meaning: An individual born with three different riches
5. Young-chul – possible meaning: Shining wisdom
6. Yong-Bae – possible meaning: Perpetual
7. Young-gi – possible meaning: Young means “glory and prosper”, and gi means “to rise or stand up”.
8. Yo-han – possible meaning: The glorious Chinese people (The John of Korean boy names)
9. Yeong-jun – possible meaning: Yeong means “forever and eternal”, and jun means “great man”.
10. Yong-nam – possible meaning: An individual with the traits of the dragon of the south and one of the Korean boy names with the most powerful meanings.
11. Young-hwan – possible meaning: Young means “deep or forever”, and hwan means “bright”.
12. Yong-gi – possible meaning: Yong means “dragon”, and gi means “foundation or base”.
13. Young-soo – possible meaning: Eternal and lifespan
14. Yeon-seok – possible meaning: Three different extensions
15. Yong-ho – possible meaning: Yong means “dragon”, and ho means “great or numerous”.
16. Young-sik – possible meaning: Young means “deep or forever”, and sik means “to put or plant”.
17. Young-jae – possible meaning: A prosperous and respected individual
18. Young-ho – possible meaning: A lengthy dive
19. Yoon-sung – possible meaning: An angry and wrathful governor
20. Yong-joon – possible meaning: Yong means “dragon”, and joon means “talented or handsome”.
21. Yoong-gun – possible meaning: This name roughly means “sky dragon”.
22. Yun-seok – possible meaning: Yun means “governor”, and seok means “strong or stone”.
23. Young-hoon – possible meaning: Young means “deep or forever”, and hoon means “teaching”.
Why Go For Korean Boy Names?
While I do understand that not everyone enjoys names that veer too far off the standard names that we’re so used to, sometimes it’s good to go outside the box.
This is especially true if you’re looking for a more unique name for your little man.
The people who usually go for Korean names do so because each and every name carries a strong meaning.
As mentioned at the start, Korean names consist of 2 to 3 parts. Each part corresponds to a virtue or quality that the parents would like the child to possess, which results in a name with a wonderful, multi-layered meaning.
The last name usually comes before the first, but if used here in the US, that rule can be glossed over.
Names like these also represent a certain level of spirituality and tradition. They are the two key aspects of many cultures in East Asia, Korea especially, which is why they pick and choose the traits that make up the name with a lot of thought.
While they might stand out in the US next to the many Jacks, Johns, and other common names, the Korean naming culture is starting to gain a bit of traction here as well.
It’s all thanks to the rising popularity of K-pop music and various Korean TV dramas. Who knows, maybe Korean names will become as popular as French or Hispanic names in the US in the future!
In Conclusion
As you can see from the list above, Korean boy names can be very complex, but each of them has a very powerful meaning behind it.
Each name weaves itself beautifully and sounds very melodic.
Korean baby boy names are definitely ones you should be on the lookout for when you assemble your list of potential boy names.
What’s even better is that you can use the traditional Korean script, Hanja, to write your child’s name out on baby shower invitations and leave your guests guessing what his actual name is going to be!
If you are interested in more international names for boys, feel free to check out my recommendations for French baby names and Cuban baby names.
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