Last Name of Korean: A Guide to Understanding Korean Surnames

Korean last names, also known as surnames, are an integral part of Korean culture and identity. They are passed down through generations and play a significant role in social interactions. Understanding the meaning and origin of Korean last names can provide valuable insights into the country's history, language, and cultural heritage. This comprehensive guide explores a diverse range of Korean last names, offering detailed information about their origins, meanings, and significance.
1. **Kim (김):** Gold, metal, or a mountain; One of the most common last names in Korea, often associated with wealth and power.

2. **Lee (이):** Plum or willow tree; Another prevalent surname in Korea, often associated with elegance and grace.

3. **Park (박):** Melon, gourd, or a certain type of gourd; A common surname, representing a connection to nature and abundance.

4. **Choi (최):** Best or finest; Often associated with excellence and achievement.

5. **Jung (정):** Correct or right; Implies integrity, righteousness, and adherence to principles.

6. **Kang (강):** Strong or powerful; Represents resilience, fortitude, and strength.

7. **Yoon (윤):** Brightness or shining; Associated with brilliance, intelligence, and clarity.

8. **Cho (조):** Bird or crow; Often linked to freedom, adaptability, and soaring ambition.

9. **Chang (장):** Long or extended; Represents longevity, endurance, and perseverance.

10. **Im (임):** Forest or woods; Associated with nature, tranquility, and serenity.

11. **Han (한):** Cold, bitter, or sorrow; Can symbolize both resilience in the face of adversity and the feeling of sorrow and loss.

12. **Oh (오):** Five or five things; Can symbolize completeness, unity, and balance.

13. **Song (송):** Pine tree; Represents strength, longevity, and resilience.

14. **Shin (신):** God, spirit, or new; Often linked to spirituality, divinity, and the beginning of something new.

15. **Seo (서):** West or book; Can symbolize knowledge, wisdom, and a connection to the past.

16. **Jeon (전):** All or entire; Represents completeness, wholeness, and unity.

17. **Moon (문):** Door or gate; Implies opportunity, passage, and transition.

18. **Kim (김):** Metal or gold; Represents wealth, power, and strength.

19. **Ryu (류):** Flowing water or dragon; Associated with dynamism, adaptability, and power.

20. **Baek (백):** White or one hundred; Often associated with purity, innocence, and completeness.

21. **An (안):** Peace or tranquility; Represents harmony, stability, and well-being.

22. **Jeong (정):** Correct or right; Implies integrity, righteousness, and adherence to principles.

23. **Go (고):** High or lofty; Represents ambition, achievement, and reaching for greatness.

24. **Yoo (유):** Abundance or prosperity; Often associated with wealth, success, and fortune.

25. **Nam (남):** South or male; Represents warmth, openness, and a connection to the masculine.

26. **Yang (양):** Sheep, goat, or abundance; Can symbolize peace, gentleness, and prosperity.

27. **Heo (허):** Empty or hollow; May represent a sense of emptiness, void, or a lack of something.

28. **Kim (김):** Metal or gold; Represents wealth, power, and strength.

29. **Lee (이):** Plum tree or willow tree; Often associated with elegance and grace.

30. **Park (박):** Melon or gourd; Represents a connection to nature and abundance.

31. **Choi (최):** Best or finest; Associated with excellence and achievement.

32. **Jung (정):** Correct or right; Implies integrity, righteousness, and adherence to principles.

33. **Kang (강):** Strong or powerful; Represents resilience, fortitude, and strength.

34. **Yoon (윤):** Brightness or shining; Associated with brilliance, intelligence, and clarity.

35. **Cho (조):** Bird or crow; Often linked to freedom, adaptability, and soaring ambition.

36. **Chang (장):** Long or extended; Represents longevity, endurance, and perseverance.

37. **Im (임):** Forest or woods; Associated with nature, tranquility, and serenity.

38. **Han (한):** Cold, bitter, or sorrow; Can symbolize both resilience in the face of adversity and the feeling of sorrow and loss.

39. **Oh (오):** Five or five things; Can symbolize completeness, unity, and balance.

40. **Song (송):** Pine tree; Represents strength, longevity, and resilience.

41. **Shin (신):** God, spirit, or new; Often linked to spirituality, divinity, and the beginning of something new.

42. **Seo (서):** West or book; Can symbolize knowledge, wisdom, and a connection to the past.

43. **Jeon (전):** All or entire; Represents completeness, wholeness, and unity.

44. **Moon (문):** Door or gate; Implies opportunity, passage, and transition.

45. **Ryu (류):** Flowing water or dragon; Associated with dynamism, adaptability, and power.

46. **Baek (백):** White or one hundred; Often associated with purity, innocence, and completeness.

47. **An (안):** Peace or tranquility; Represents harmony, stability, and well-being.

48. **Jeong (정):** Correct or right; Implies integrity, righteousness, and adherence to principles.

49. **Go (고):** High or lofty; Represents ambition, achievement, and reaching for greatness.

50. **Yoo (유):** Abundance or prosperity; Often associated with wealth, success, and fortune.

51. **Nam (남):** South or male; Represents warmth, openness, and a connection to the masculine.

52. **Yang (양):** Sheep, goat, or abundance; Can symbolize peace, gentleness, and prosperity.

53. **Heo (허):** Empty or hollow; May represent a sense of emptiness, void, or a lack of something.