Sometimes, the spark to learn a language begins with identity. You hear a name in a K-drama, see it written in Hangul, and wonder what your own Korean name would look like. This Korean name generator helps you explore popular Korean names, pronunciation, origin, and the meaning behind each syllable.
If that curiosity turns into real interest, Lingopie helps you move beyond the generator. With a free 7-day trial, you can learn Korean with your favorite Korean shows and movies using interactive dual subtitles. You’ll also see how names are actually said, shortened, or swapped out depending on who’s in the room, and start understanding not just the language... but the culture behind it!
Korean Name Generator
Choose your preferred style and gender, then simply click to generate a Korean name written in Hangul with its pronunciation and meaning. Each result shows how the surname and given name work together in two parts, revealing how each syllable contributes to the full form.
Whether you are curious about popular Korean baby names, exploring Korean girl names, or looking for an English name match inspired by K-dramas or K-pop, this generator helps you understand how names in Korea are structured.
Korean Name Generator
Generate a Korean name in Hangul + romanization, then see what each syllable commonly means.
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Note: This Korean name generator is free and designed for fun and inspiration; real Korean names vary by family tradition, Hanja choice, and personal history.
How Korean Names Work
Korean names are written in Hangul and almost always contain two parts: the family name (surname) first, then the given name. So, in the name Kim Yoon Seo, Kim is the family name, and Yoon Seo is the given name.
Technically, Korean family names in Korea are short with just one syllable. Kim is the most common in South Korea, followed by Lee and Park. A handful of surnames cover most of the population, which is why the given name matters so much for telling people apart.
As for given names, there are typically two syllables, each carrying its own meaning, usually drawn from Hanja — Chinese characters historically used in Korean writing. Parents choose each syllable carefully, often picking ones that mean something auspicious: think wisdom, grace, brightness, or abundance. The combination of those two syllables becomes the name's full meaning.
Take Yoon Seo as an example:
- Yoon can mean "abundant" or "prosperous,"
- Seo can mean "auspicious" or "felicitous."
Put them together, and you have a name that's essentially a wish for a child's life. This is why two people can share a syllable but have completely different names and completely different meanings. A name like Ji Seo ("wisdom" + "auspicious") reads very differently from Seo Yeon ("auspicious" + "beautiful/graceful"), even though they share a character.
Note: Korean names don't have a direct English name equivalent, the way some cultures do. When Koreans go abroad, they often pick a separate English name entirely rather than translating
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Where Korean Name Meanings Come From
The meanings parents reach for tend to cluster around a few themes rooted in Korean culture and values. Here are some of the most common sources of inspiration:
- Nature — lily, jade, flower, sun, brightness
- Virtue — wisdom, grace, purity, respect
- Prosperity — abundance, richness, auspicious beginnings
- Art and intellect — cleverness, inspiration, intelligence
- Treasure and worth — possessing something rare, being a bright light in the world
In North Korea, naming conventions follow the same Hanja-rooted tradition, though the specific syllables considered auspicious or fashionable differ from those popular in South Korea. K-pop and K-dramas have since brought many of these names and their meanings to a global audience, turning names like Seo or Ji into sounds the whole world now recognizes.
Top 20 Popular Korean Names
According to Namechart, which tracks baby name trends using data from the Supreme Court of Korea's Family Relations Registration System, today's parents in South Korea are gravitating toward names that are short, easy to pronounce, and work well in both Korean and English
Top 10 Popular Korean Girl Names
Korean girl names tend to carry meanings rooted in beauty, nature, and virtue — syllables like Seo (auspicious), Ji (wisdom), and Ha (great or graceful) appear again and again in different combinations, each pairing creating a name with its own distinct meaning and feel.
- Seo-yun — "auspicious" + "to govern or allow"; a name that wishes a child both good fortune and grace
- Seo-a — "auspicious" + "beautiful"; simple, elegant, and one of the most popular Korean baby names today
- A-rin — "beautiful" + "bright"; soft in pronunciation, rich in meaning
- I-seo (Yi-seo) — "benefit" + "auspicious"; a name that has held the top spot for several years running
- Ji-an — "wisdom" + "peaceful"; composed of two of the most valued qualities in Korean culture
- Ha-yun — "great" or "summer" + "to allow or shine"; a bright, warm-feeling given name
- Ha-rin — "great" + "brilliant"; popular for its gentle sound and positive meaning
- A-yun — "beautiful" + "to govern"; a soft, feminine name with elegant written form in Hangul
- Ji-yu — "wisdom" + "abundant"; a name that carries a wish for an intelligent, rich life
- Si-a — "beginning" + "beautiful"; a fresh, modern name for a new generation
Top 10 Popular Korean Boy Names
Korean boy names often lean toward syllables suggesting talent, strength, and a bright future — Jun (talented or handsome), Do (path or way), and Hyeon (bright or shining) show up across generations. Many of these names have also been made recognizable globally through K-pop idols and K-drama characters who share them.
- Do-yun — "path" + "to shine or govern"; often interpreted as "one who walks a bright path"
- I-jun (Yi-jun) — "benefit" + "talented and handsome"; the most popular Korean baby boy name in recent years
- Si-u — "beginning" + "divine protection"; a meaningful name for a firstborn
- Ha-jun — "great" or "summer" + "talented"; one of the most consistent names on South Korea's charts
- Tae-o — "great or exalted" + a softer second syllable; a modern-sounding name gaining fast popularity
- Do-hyeon — "path" + "bright and shining"; a name that feels both grounded and aspirational
- I-an (Yi-an) — "benefit" + "peaceful"; clean, easy to pronounce in any language
- I-hyeon (Yi-hyeon) — "benefit" + "bright"; a name that travels well beyond Korea's borders
- Seo-jun — "auspicious" + "talented"; familiar to many international fans through actor Park Seo-jun
- Eun-u — "grace or silver" + "divine protection"; a gentle name with deep meaning behind each syllable
Start Recognizing Korean Names Like a Native
You now know that Seo means auspicious, that Kim is everywhere, and that dropping a syllable from someone's name is basically a declaration of friendship. But knowing it and hearing it are two different things.
That's exactly why Lingopie is different.
With Lingopie, you can click on every word mid-episode to see its meaning pop up in real time and automatically create a flashcard. As you hit play for every episode, you'll definitely hear the difference between a full formal name and an affectionate shortening... in the actual voice, tone, and context it was meant to be heard.
No generator gives you that. No word list gives you that. A 7-day free trial might.
