Family Name in Korean: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you looking for a unique and meaningful Korean family name for your child or yourself? Korean family names, or 성 (seong), are a crucial part of Korean identity and culture. They are passed down through generations and reflect family history and lineage. This guide will provide you with a comprehensive list of Korean family names along with their detailed meanings, helping you choose the perfect one for your needs.
1. **Kim (김):** Meaning "gold" or "metal," it is the most common surname in Korea, representing around 21% of the population.

2. **Lee (이):** Meaning "plum" or "peach," it is the second most common surname in Korea, representing around 14% of the population.

3. **Park (박):** Meaning "gourd," it is the third most common surname in Korea, representing around 8% of the population.

4. **Choi (최):** Meaning "best" or "excellent," it is the fourth most common surname in Korea, representing around 4% of the population.

5. **Kang (강):** Meaning "strong" or "powerful," it is the fifth most common surname in Korea, representing around 3% of the population.

6. **Jeon (전):** Meaning "entire" or "complete," it is the sixth most common surname in Korea, representing around 2% of the population.

7. **Yun (윤):** Meaning "cloud" or "brightness," it is the seventh most common surname in Korea, representing around 1.5% of the population.

8. **Jung (정):** Meaning "correct" or "righteous," it is the eighth most common surname in Korea, representing around 1.4% of the population.

9. **Oh (오):** Meaning "five" or "long life," it is the ninth most common surname in Korea, representing around 1.3% of the population.

10. **Shin (신):** Meaning "god" or "spirit," it is the tenth most common surname in Korea, representing around 1.2% of the population.

11. **Han (한):** Meaning "one" or "single," it is the eleventh most common surname in Korea, representing around 1.1% of the population.

12. **Song (송):** Meaning "pine" or "everlasting," it is the twelfth most common surname in Korea, representing around 1% of the population.

13. **Seo (서):** Meaning "west" or "book," it is the thirteenth most common surname in Korea, representing around 0.9% of the population.

14. **Yoo (유):** Meaning "flow" or "smooth," it is the fourteenth most common surname in Korea, representing around 0.8% of the population.

15. **Cho (조):** Meaning "ancestor" or "respected," it is the fifteenth most common surname in Korea, representing around 0.7% of the population.

16. **Baek (백):** Meaning "white" or "pure," it is the sixteenth most common surname in Korea, representing around 0.6% of the population.

17. **Kim (김):** Meaning "golden" or "precious," it is one of the most common surnames in Korea.

18. **Lee (이):** Meaning "plum" or "peach," it is another very common surname in Korea.

19. **Park (박):** Meaning "gourd," it is a popular surname in Korea.

20. **Choi (최):** Meaning "best" or "excellent," it is a well-respected surname in Korea.

21. **Kang (강):** Meaning "strong" or "powerful," it is a surname that conveys strength and resilience.

22. **Jeon (전):** Meaning "entire" or "complete," it is a surname associated with wholeness and unity.

23. **Yun (윤):** Meaning "cloud" or "brightness," it is a surname that evokes a sense of peace and tranquility.

24. **Jung (정):** Meaning "correct" or "righteous," it is a surname associated with moral integrity and justice.

25. **Oh (오):** Meaning "five" or "long life," it is a surname that symbolizes longevity and good fortune.

26. **Shin (신):** Meaning "god" or "spirit," it is a surname that connects to the divine and spiritual realms.

27. **Han (한):** Meaning "one" or "single," it is a surname associated with individuality and uniqueness.

28. **Song (송):** Meaning "pine" or "everlasting," it is a surname that signifies steadfastness and perseverance.

29. **Seo (서):** Meaning "west" or "book," it is a surname associated with knowledge, wisdom, and the arts.

30. **Yoo (유):** Meaning "flow" or "smooth," it is a surname that represents harmony and effortless progress.

31. **Cho (조):** Meaning "ancestor" or "respected," it is a surname that reflects lineage and respect for tradition.

32. **Baek (백):** Meaning "white" or "pure," it is a surname associated with purity, innocence, and clarity.

33. **Yang (양):** Meaning "sheep" or "abundance," it is a surname associated with prosperity and peace.

34. **Moon (문):** Meaning "gate" or "door," it is a surname associated with opportunity and new beginnings.

35. **Noh (노):** Meaning "elder" or "respected," it is a surname that signifies wisdom and experience.

36. **Nam (남):** Meaning "south" or "gentle," it is a surname associated with warmth, kindness, and compassion.

37. **Hwang (황):** Meaning "yellow" or "royal," it is a surname that signifies nobility and prestige.

38. **Go (고):** Meaning "high" or "noble," it is a surname associated with ambition and excellence.

39. **Lee (이):** Meaning "plum" or "peach," it is a surname that symbolizes beauty, elegance, and prosperity.

40. **Kim (김):** Meaning "gold" or "metal," it is a surname that conveys wealth, power, and strength.