Korean Last Names: 349+ (BEST Picks Explained)
Korean last names are a fascinating aspect of Korean culture that carry interesting meanings and origins. With a rich and diverse history, these surnames give us insight into the lives of those who came before us. As you delve deeper into the world of Korean last names, you’ll gain a better understanding of your own or a family member’s Korean heritage.
![A family tree with Korean last names written in calligraphy](https://koala.sh/api/image/v2-ab5o6-brz3w.jpg?width=1216&height=832&dream)
While some Korean last names are more common, such as Kim, Lee, and Park, which are held by around half of the ethnic Korean population, there are also many unique and rare surnames with intriguing backgrounds. It’s essential to explore their meanings and etymology to appreciate the tapestry of Korean culture and history.
In this article, we’ll explore some popular, uncommon, and exotic Korean last names that will broaden your understanding of this beautiful culture and help you celebrate your ancestry. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of Korean surnames and the stories they tell.
Table of Contents
Best Names
![YouTube video](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/sghXjAAWpHk/hqdefault.jpg)
1-25 Best Names
Here are some top Korean last names that you might find interesting:
- Kim
- Lee
- Park
- Choi
- Jeong
- Kang
- Cho
- Yoon
- Jang
- Im
- Bak
- Bang
- Byun
- Hwang
- Ahn
- Moon
- Ryu
- Shin
- Son
- Han
- Baek
- Bae
- Oh
- Nam
- Kwon
These names are popular and well-known in Korean culture.
26-50 Best Names
Here are more great Korean last names for you to consider:
- Seo
- Go
- Song
- Yun
- Hong
- Cha
- Sohn
- An
- Park
- Lee
- Shim
- Ko
- Jeon
- Sa
- Kim
- Cho
- Yeom
- Roh
- Kwak
- Eom
- Yang
- Woo
- Ha
- Hahn
- Lee
This list contains a mix of common and unique names, giving you more options to choose from.
51-75 Best Names
In this section, we present even more Korean last names that you might find appealing:
- Jung
- Kim
- Gook
- Choe
- Hahm
- Chun
- Baik
- Jeong
- Kang
- Cho
- Yoon
- Jang
- Im
- Uhm
- Gwon
- Cheon
- Oak
- Lim
- Ban
- Choi
- Jon
- Mok
- Ham
- Bong
- Koo
These names continue to showcase the variety and richness of Korean surnames.
76-100 Best Names
Lastly, here are the final set of top Korean last names to complete your list:
- Yoo
- Woo
- Ma
- Suh
- Jeong
- Park
- Lee
- Kim
- No
- Rhee
- Kook
- Pak
- Kang
- Cho
- Yoon
- Jang
- Im
- Yang
- Yum
- Choi
- Jin
- Jun
- Doh
- Sim
- Lee
With this list, you now have a hundred outstanding Korean last names to explore and appreciate.
Good Names
![YouTube video](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/MlHhLvUR0YQ/hqdefault.jpg)
Korean last names are an important part of Korean culture, carrying historical, social, and personal aspects. If you are searching for a good Korean last name for your character or personal use, you have come to the right place. Below, you’ll find four lists with 25 great names each, ordered by their popularity and cultural significance.
1-25 Good Names
- Kim
- Lee
- Park
- Jeong
- Choi
- Yoon
- Jang
- Im
- Oh
- Kang
- Cho
- Kwon
- Yoo
- Song
- Shin
- Seo
- Nam
- Son
- Moon
- Hwang
- Ahn
- Han
- Lim
- Ryu
- Seok
26-50 Good Names
- Yu
- So
- Kim
- Suh
- Ko
- Jeon
- Lee
- Park
- Chon
- Sim
- Oh
- Cha
- Jeong
- Seol
- Jin
- Sung
- Sin
- Yi
- Jung
- Nam
- Jo
- Kang
- Choe
- No
- Suh
51-75 Good Names
- So
- Yoo
- Yu
- Shin
- Jang
- Song
- Yoon
- Kwon
- Ahn
- Kim
- Hong
- Lee
- Park
- Hwang
- Yi
- Oh
- Ryu
- Son
- Jeong
- Lim
- Pak
- Cho
- Jin
- Seok
- Seo
76-100 Good Names
- Choi
- Jang
- Yu
- Song
- Shin
- Seo
- Son
- Kwon
- Ahn
- Yoon
- Yoo
- Lee
- Kim
- Park
- Jeong
- Im
- Oh
- Kang
- Lim
- Cho
- Hwang
- Moon
- Nam
- Seok
- Ryu
These lists include popular surnames and some unique ones, featuring the selected entities like Yu, Shin, Kwon, Ahn, Son, So, Cho, Lim, Seok, and Yoon. Choose a name that resonates with your character or personal preference, and embrace the rich cultural heritage of Korean last names.
More Name Ideas
![YouTube video](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/FrfsmTDiICc/hqdefault.jpg)
In this section, we’ll present you with 100 Korean last name ideas, divided into four subsections. Feel free to mix and match these names to create unique and meaningful combinations for your characters or personal use.
1-25 Name Ideas
- Min
- Jin
- Jeon
- Hyun
- Hwan
- Hwang
- Ho
- Heo
- Han
- Ha
- Yoo
- Yeo
- Yang
- Won
- Woo
- Bae
- Baek
- Oh
- Kang
- Kwon
- Go
- Goo
- Gong
- Ko
- Kim
26-50 Name Ideas
- Park
- Nam
- Moon
- Lee
- Jung
- Song
- Yi
- Seo
- Shin
- Son
- Sim
- Ahn
- Im
- Jang
- Jeong
- Jo
- Joo
- Jun
- Kang
- Kwak
- Kyu
- Lee
- Lim
- Myung
- Noh
51-75 Name Ideas
- Namgoong
- Park
- Pyo
- Rhee
- Ryu
- Seo
- Sin
- So
- Sung
- Uhm
- Yeo
- Yi
- Yoo
- Yu
- Yun
- Baek
- Choi
- Do
- Eom
- Gang
- Geum
- Gim
- Ha
- Hong
- Hwangbo
76-100 Name Ideas
- Il
- In
- Jang
- Jeon
- Ji
- Jin
- Jung
- Kang
- Ki
- Kil
- Kim
- Koo
- Kye
- Lee
- Ma
- Min
- Moon
- Myung
- Na
- Park
- Roh
- Ryoo
- Seong
- So
- Yoh
We hope you find these name ideas helpful and inspiring for your personal or fictional projects. Remember that you can combine these names in various ways to create a truly unique and personalized Korean name. Enjoy exploring these wonderful Korean last names!
More Name Ideas (Continued)
![YouTube video](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/0PLnhg6zsyM/hqdefault.jpg)
In this section, you will find 100 additional Korean last name ideas. These names are presented in four separate subsections. Feel free to explore these options and choose one that resonates with you. Remember, Korean surnames are typically a single syllable, making them unique and memorable.
1-25 Name Ideas
- Ga
- Ji
- Jo
- Je
- Ja
- Cheon
- Chun
- Do
- Ro
- Woong
- Han
- Min
- Sun
- Oh
- Won
- In
- Yeon
- Bae
- Hwang
- Choi
- Ku
- Moon
- Huh
- Kang
- Hoon
26-50 Name Ideas
- Suk
- Hyun
- Myung
- Yun
- Woo
- Ji
- Jeong
- Ho
- Jang
- So
- Ryun
- Cho
- Ra
- Im
- Shin
- Ryoo
- Seo
- Baek
- Noh
- Park
- Go
- Gil
- Nam
- Yoo
- Lim
51-75 Name Ideas
- Lee
- Kim
- Song
- Byun
- Jin
- Hong
- Yoon
- Ha
- Kwon
- Park
- Ma
- Uhm
- Cha
- Ahn
- Yang
- Yang
- Jung
- Gu
- Gye
- Mo
- Sam
- Sa
- Seong
- Sung
- Sim
76-100 Name Ideas
- Sin
- Sohn
- Seong
- Su
- Ban
- Son
- Tang
- Jeon
- Wi
- Jeun
- Eom
- Yum
- Yoon
- Ri
- Yong
- Le
- Geon
- Gang
- Goh
- Gi
- Gon
- Ryu
- Kye
- Ri
- Jeong
Tips For Brainstorming The Perfect Name
![A stack of books on Korean culture, a computer open to a name generator, and a notebook filled with scribbled ideas](https://koala.sh/api/image/v2-ab5t1-2k20a.jpg?width=1216&height=832&dream)
When considering a Korean last name, it’s essential to keep in mind the cultural background and meaning behind each name. In South Korea, there are specific cultural implications for names, so it’s crucial to choose a name that suits your own identity and preferences. Here are some tips to help you brainstorm the perfect name.
Research Popular Korean Surnames: There are many popular Korean last names, such as Kim, Lee, and Park. Familiarizing yourself with common surnames can help you get a better idea of which names resonate with you and will fit best in your life. Other frequently seen surnames include Nam, Moon, Koo, Gil, Go, and Yoo.
Explore Less Common Names: While it’s essential to know the popular names, you might also want to stand out by choosing a less common Korean last name. Spend some time researching less common names like Koo and Gil to add some uniqueness to your identity.
Consider Cultural and Historical Connections: When brainstorming your perfect name, take a moment to learn about the cultural and historical aspects of Korean last names. Understanding how names are connected to Korean history and traditional naming conventions can make your decision more meaningful.
Ask for Opinions and Suggestions: Reach out to your friends, family, or others who have experience with Korean culture to get their input on potential Korean last names. Don’t be afraid to ask for suggestions – people often have great ideas that might inspire your choice.
Make a List and Narrow Down Your Choices: After researching and getting input from others, create a list of your favorite Korean last name options. Remember to keep your cultural and historical connections in mind while narrowing down your choices. Once you have your final list, take your time and carefully consider each option before making your final decision.
By considering these tips, you’ll be well on your way to selecting the perfect Korean last name that represents your identity and connects with your roots. Enjoy the process, and good luck with your search!