Korean Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide to Common Surnames

Korean last names, also known as Korean surnames, are an essential part of Korean identity and culture. Understanding the meanings behind these names can provide valuable insight into Korean history, tradition, and the values that are held dear. This comprehensive guide will explore over 40 common Korean last names, providing detailed information on their origins, meanings, and significance.
1. **Kim (김):** One of the most common Korean last names, "Kim" originates from the ancient kingdom of Silla. It signifies "gold" or "metal," symbolizing strength, prosperity, and nobility.

2. **Lee (이):** Another highly prevalent surname, "Lee" traces its roots to the Tang Dynasty of China. It means "plum," representing longevity, peace, and tranquility.

3. **Park (박):** Originating from the ancient kingdom of Baekje, "Park" is derived from the word "baek," meaning "white." It symbolizes purity, innocence, and clarity.

4. **Choi (최):** With roots in the Silla kingdom, "Choi" is derived from the word "choe," meaning "best" or "excellent." It represents ambition, excellence, and striving for the highest standards.

5. **Jung (정):** Originating from the Goryeo Dynasty, "Jung" means "upright" or "righteous." It symbolizes integrity, honesty, and unwavering moral principles.

6. **Kang (강):** Derived from the word "gang," meaning "strong" or "powerful," "Kang" signifies strength, resilience, and unwavering determination.

7. **Yoo (유):** With roots in the Silla kingdom, "Yoo" means "flowing" or "abundant," symbolizing prosperity, abundance, and continuous flow.

8. **Shin (신):** Originating from the Goryeo Dynasty, "Shin" means "new" or "fresh," representing innovation, progress, and a fresh perspective.

9. **Oh (오):** Derived from the word "oh," meaning "five," "Oh" symbolizes completeness, harmony, and the cycle of life.

10. **Kwon (권):** With roots in the Silla kingdom, "Kwon" means "authority" or "power." It represents leadership, influence, and the ability to command respect.

11. **Yoon (윤):** Originating from the Goryeo Dynasty, "Yoon" means "smooth" or "harmonious." It symbolizes peace, tranquility, and a harmonious life.

12. **Han (한):** Derived from the word "han," meaning "one" or "single," "Han" represents unity, individuality, and a sense of purpose.

13. **Song (송):** With roots in the Silla kingdom, "Song" means "pine tree," symbolizing longevity, resilience, and unwavering strength.

14. **Seo (서):** Originating from the Goryeo Dynasty, "Seo" means "west" or "western," representing a sense of direction, exploration, and new frontiers.

15. **Kim (김):** Derived from the word "gim," meaning "seaweed," "Kim" represents resilience, adaptability, and the ability to thrive in challenging environments.

16. **Yang (양):** With roots in the Silla kingdom, "Yang" means "sheep," symbolizing gentleness, peace, and harmony.

17. **Jeon (전):** Originating from the Goryeo Dynasty, "Jeon" means "all" or "entire," representing completeness, wholeness, and a comprehensive perspective.

18. **Moon (문):** Derived from the word "mun," meaning "gate" or "door," "Moon" symbolizes opportunity, passage, and a gateway to new possibilities.

19. **Hwang (황):** With roots in the Silla kingdom, "Hwang" means "yellow," representing royalty, nobility, and the power of the sun.

20. **Kim (김):** Derived from the word "gim," meaning "metal," "Kim" represents strength, durability, and unwavering resolve.

21. **Choi (최):** With roots in the Silla kingdom, "Choi" means "best" or "excellent," representing ambition, excellence, and striving for the highest standards.

22. **Kim (김):** Derived from the word "gim," meaning "gold," "Kim" symbolizes wealth, prosperity, and abundance.

23. **Lee (이):** Originating from the Tang Dynasty of China, "Lee" means "plum," representing longevity, peace, and tranquility.

24. **Park (박):** With roots in the Silla kingdom, "Park" means "white," symbolizing purity, innocence, and clarity.

25. **Jung (정):** Originating from the Goryeo Dynasty, "Jung" means "upright" or "righteous," representing integrity, honesty, and unwavering moral principles.

26. **Kang (강):** Derived from the word "gang," meaning "strong" or "powerful," "Kang" signifies strength, resilience, and unwavering determination.

27. **Yoo (유):** With roots in the Silla kingdom, "Yoo" means "flowing" or "abundant," symbolizing prosperity, abundance, and continuous flow.

28. **Shin (신):** Originating from the Goryeo Dynasty, "Shin" means "new" or "fresh," representing innovation, progress, and a fresh perspective.

29. **Oh (오):** Derived from the word "oh," meaning "five," "Oh" symbolizes completeness, harmony, and the cycle of life.

30. **Kwon (권):** With roots in the Silla kingdom, "Kwon" means "authority" or "power," representing leadership, influence, and the ability to command respect.

31. **Yoon (윤):** Originating from the Goryeo Dynasty, "Yoon" means "smooth" or "harmonious," symbolizing peace, tranquility, and a harmonious life.

32. **Han (한):** Derived from the word "han," meaning "one" or "single," "Han" represents unity, individuality, and a sense of purpose.

33. **Song (송):** With roots in the Silla kingdom, "Song" means "pine tree," symbolizing longevity, resilience, and unwavering strength.

34. **Seo (서):** Originating from the Goryeo Dynasty, "Seo" means "west" or "western," representing a sense of direction, exploration, and new frontiers.

35. **Kim (김):** Derived from the word "gim," meaning "seaweed," "Kim" represents resilience, adaptability, and the ability to thrive in challenging environments.

36. **Yang (양):** With roots in the Silla kingdom, "Yang" means "sheep," symbolizing gentleness, peace, and harmony.

37. **Jeon (전):** Originating from the Goryeo Dynasty, "Jeon" means "all" or "entire," representing completeness, wholeness, and a comprehensive perspective.

38. **Moon (문):** Derived from the word "mun," meaning "gate" or "door," "Moon" symbolizes opportunity, passage, and a gateway to new possibilities.

39. **Hwang (황):** With roots in the Silla kingdom, "Hwang" means "yellow," representing royalty, nobility, and the power of the sun.

40. **Kim (김):** Derived from the word "gim," meaning "metal," "Kim" represents strength, durability, and unwavering resolve.