Korean Names: Family Name First

Korean names follow a specific structure where the family name comes first, followed by the given name. This order might seem different from Western naming conventions but it's essential to understanding Korean culture and addressing individuals correctly. Learning about the meanings behind Korean family names and given names can provide insight into the rich history and cultural significance embedded within each name.
1. **Kim (김):** A very common surname in Korea, meaning "gold" or "metal." It's believed to have originated from the ancient kingdom of Silla.
2. **Park (박):** Another common surname, meaning "gourd" or "pumpkin." It's linked to the ancient Goguryeo kingdom.
3. **Lee (이):** A surname with various meanings, including "plum," "willow," or "second." It's traced back to the ancient Baekje kingdom.
4. **Choi (최):** Meaning "best" or "highest," this surname has roots in the Silla kingdom.
5. **Jung (정):** Meaning "correct" or "upright," this surname has a strong association with Confucianism.
6. **Kang (강):** Meaning "strong" or "river," this surname symbolizes strength and resilience.
7. **Yoo (유):** A surname with multiple meanings, including "flow," "oil," or "gentle." It's connected to ancient Baekje.
8. **Shin (신):** Meaning "new" or "god," this surname has a connection to the Silla kingdom.
9. **Yang (양):** Meaning "sheep" or "abundance," this surname represents prosperity and good fortune.
10. **Moon (문):** Meaning "gate" or "door," this surname symbolizes opportunity and access.
11. **Kim (김):** A very common surname in Korea, meaning "gold" or "metal." It's believed to have originated from the ancient kingdom of Silla.
12. **Park (박):** Another common surname, meaning "gourd" or "pumpkin." It's linked to the ancient Goguryeo kingdom.
13. **Lee (이):** A surname with various meanings, including "plum," "willow," or "second." It's traced back to the ancient Baekje kingdom.
14. **Choi (최):** Meaning "best" or "highest," this surname has roots in the Silla kingdom.
15. **Jung (정):** Meaning "correct" or "upright," this surname has a strong association with Confucianism.
16. **Kang (강):** Meaning "strong" or "river," this surname symbolizes strength and resilience.
17. **Yoo (유):** A surname with multiple meanings, including "flow," "oil," or "gentle." It's connected to ancient Baekje.
18. **Shin (신):** Meaning "new" or "god," this surname has a connection to the Silla kingdom.
19. **Yang (양):** Meaning "sheep" or "abundance," this surname represents prosperity and good fortune.
20. **Moon (문):** Meaning "gate" or "door," this surname symbolizes opportunity and access.
21. **Kim (김):** A very common surname in Korea, meaning "gold" or "metal." It's believed to have originated from the ancient kingdom of Silla.
22. **Park (박):** Another common surname, meaning "gourd" or "pumpkin." It's linked to the ancient Goguryeo kingdom.
23. **Lee (이):** A surname with various meanings, including "plum," "willow," or "second." It's traced back to the ancient Baekje kingdom.
24. **Choi (최):** Meaning "best" or "highest," this surname has roots in the Silla kingdom.
25. **Jung (정):** Meaning "correct" or "upright," this surname has a strong association with Confucianism.
26. **Kang (강):** Meaning "strong" or "river," this surname symbolizes strength and resilience.
27. **Yoo (유):** A surname with multiple meanings, including "flow," "oil," or "gentle." It's connected to ancient Baekje.
28. **Shin (신):** Meaning "new" or "god," this surname has a connection to the Silla kingdom.
29. **Yang (양):** Meaning "sheep" or "abundance," this surname represents prosperity and good fortune.
30. **Moon (문):** Meaning "gate" or "door," this surname symbolizes opportunity and access.
31. **Kim (김):** A very common surname in Korea, meaning "gold" or "metal." It's believed to have originated from the ancient kingdom of Silla.
32. **Park (박):** Another common surname, meaning "gourd" or "pumpkin." It's linked to the ancient Goguryeo kingdom.
33. **Lee (이):** A surname with various meanings, including "plum," "willow," or "second." It's traced back to the ancient Baekje kingdom.
34. **Choi (최):** Meaning "best" or "highest," this surname has roots in the Silla kingdom.
35. **Jung (정):** Meaning "correct" or "upright," this surname has a strong association with Confucianism.
36. **Kang (강):** Meaning "strong" or "river," this surname symbolizes strength and resilience.
37. **Yoo (유):** A surname with multiple meanings, including "flow," "oil," or "gentle." It's connected to ancient Baekje.
38. **Shin (신):** Meaning "new" or "god," this surname has a connection to the Silla kingdom.
39. **Yang (양):** Meaning "sheep" or "abundance," this surname represents prosperity and good fortune.
40. **Moon (문):** Meaning "gate" or "door," this surname symbolizes opportunity and access.
41. **Kim (김):** A very common surname in Korea, meaning "gold" or "metal." It's believed to have originated from the ancient kingdom of Silla.
42. **Park (박):** Another common surname, meaning "gourd" or "pumpkin." It's linked to the ancient Goguryeo kingdom.
43. **Lee (이):** A surname with various meanings, including "plum," "willow," or "second." It's traced back to the ancient Baekje kingdom.
44. **Choi (최):** Meaning "best" or "highest," this surname has roots in the Silla kingdom.
45. **Jung (정):** Meaning "correct" or "upright," this surname has a strong association with Confucianism.
46. **Kang (강):** Meaning "strong" or "river," this surname symbolizes strength and resilience.
47. **Yoo (유):** A surname with multiple meanings, including "flow," "oil," or "gentle." It's connected to ancient Baekje.
48. **Shin (신):** Meaning "new" or "god," this surname has a connection to the Silla kingdom.
49. **Yang (양):** Meaning "sheep" or "abundance," this surname represents prosperity and good fortune.
50. **Moon (문):** Meaning "gate" or "door," this surname symbolizes opportunity and access.