Korean Last Names with Meanings: Explore the Rich History and Symbolism of Korean Surnames

Are you interested in learning about the rich cultural heritage of Korean last names? This comprehensive list explores the fascinating meanings behind some of the most common Korean surnames, offering insight into their historical origins and symbolic significance. Discover the diverse range of meanings, from nature and animals to virtues and aspirations, that these surnames represent. Whether you are researching your family history, seeking inspiration for a Korean character name, or simply fascinated by the beauty of language, this list is a valuable resource for understanding the deep connection between names and identity in Korean culture.
1. **Kim (김)**: Gold, metal, or a variant of the character for "metal". It signifies preciousness, strength, and resilience.

2. **Lee (이)**: Plum tree, known for its beauty and resilience. It symbolizes longevity, grace, and prosperity.

3. **Park (박)**: Pumpkin, representing abundance, fertility, and good fortune. It also symbolizes a person's ability to thrive in any environment.

4. **Choi (최)**: Best or greatest. It signifies excellence, ambition, and a striving for success.

5. **Jung (정)**: Correct, right, or upright. It signifies honesty, integrity, and righteousness.

6. **Kang (강)**: Strong, powerful, or river. It signifies strength, determination, and resilience.

7. **Yoo (유)**: Flowing or flowing water. It symbolizes peace, harmony, and a sense of tranquility.

8. **Yang (양)**: Sheep, symbolizing gentleness, kindness, and a peaceful nature.

9. **Moon (문)**: Gate or door, representing an opening to new possibilities and opportunities.

10. **Kim (김)**: Gold, metal, or a variant of the character for "metal". It signifies preciousness, strength, and resilience.

11. **Shin (신)**: God or divine being. It signifies faith, spirituality, and a connection to the divine.

12. **Oh (오)**: Five or the number five. It signifies completeness, harmony, and a well-balanced life.

13. **Han (한)**: One, single, or Korea. It signifies unity, independence, and a strong sense of national pride.

14. **Lim (임)**: Ruler, sovereign, or king. It signifies leadership, authority, and a strong sense of responsibility.

15. **Cho (조)**: Bird, symbolizing freedom, flight, and a desire to soar to new heights.

16. **Bae (배)**: Pear, representing intelligence, wisdom, and a thirst for knowledge.

17. **Jeon (전)**: All, entire, or complete. It signifies wholeness, abundance, and a sense of fulfillment.

18. **Seo (서)**: West, or a direction associated with tranquility and peace. It signifies calmness, serenity, and a peaceful nature.

19. **Son (손)**: Hand, representing creativity, skill, and a strong work ethic.

20. **Na (나)**: I, me, or self. It signifies individuality, self-reliance, and a strong sense of identity.

21. **Go (고)**: High, lofty, or noble. It signifies ambition, aspiration, and a striving for greatness.

22. **Ahn (안)**: Safety, peace, or security. It signifies protection, tranquility, and a sense of well-being.

23. **Jeong (정)**: Love, affection, or passion. It signifies deep emotions, strong connections, and a desire for intimacy.

24. **Yeon (연)**: Lotus, symbolizing purity, beauty, and spiritual enlightenment.

25. **Heo (허)**: Empty, void, or vacant. It signifies humility, openness, and a willingness to learn.

26. **Hong (홍)**: Red, representing passion, energy, and good fortune.

27. **Lee (이)**: Plum tree, known for its beauty and resilience. It symbolizes longevity, grace, and prosperity.

28. **Yun (윤)**: Brightness, brilliance, or radiance. It signifies wisdom, intelligence, and a shining personality.

29. **Kim (김)**: Gold, metal, or a variant of the character for "metal". It signifies preciousness, strength, and resilience.

30. **Choi (최)**: Best or greatest. It signifies excellence, ambition, and a striving for success.

31. **Kim (김)**: Gold, metal, or a variant of the character for "metal". It signifies preciousness, strength, and resilience.

32. **Park (박)**: Pumpkin, representing abundance, fertility, and good fortune. It also symbolizes a person's ability to thrive in any environment.

33. **Kang (강)**: Strong, powerful, or river. It signifies strength, determination, and resilience.

34. **Lee (이)**: Plum tree, known for its beauty and resilience. It symbolizes longevity, grace, and prosperity.

35. **Jung (정)**: Correct, right, or upright. It signifies honesty, integrity, and righteousness.

36. **Kim (김)**: Gold, metal, or a variant of the character for "metal". It signifies preciousness, strength, and resilience.

37. **Lee (이)**: Plum tree, known for its beauty and resilience. It symbolizes longevity, grace, and prosperity.

38. **Park (박)**: Pumpkin, representing abundance, fertility, and good fortune. It also symbolizes a person's ability to thrive in any environment.

39. **Choi (최)**: Best or greatest. It signifies excellence, ambition, and a striving for success.

40. **Kang (강)**: Strong, powerful, or river. It signifies strength, determination, and resilience.

41. **Yoo (유)**: Flowing or flowing water. It symbolizes peace, harmony, and a sense of tranquility.

42. **Yang (양)**: Sheep, symbolizing gentleness, kindness, and a peaceful nature.

43. **Moon (문)**: Gate or door, representing an opening to new possibilities and opportunities.

44. **Shin (신)**: God or divine being. It signifies faith, spirituality, and a connection to the divine.

45. **Oh (오)**: Five or the number five. It signifies completeness, harmony, and a well-balanced life.

46. **Han (한)**: One, single, or Korea. It signifies unity, independence, and a strong sense of national pride.

47. **Lim (임)**: Ruler, sovereign, or king. It signifies leadership, authority, and a strong sense of responsibility.

48. **Cho (조)**: Bird, symbolizing freedom, flight, and a desire to soar to new heights.

49. **Bae (배)**: Pear, representing intelligence, wisdom, and a thirst for knowledge.

50. **Jeon (전)**: All, entire, or complete. It signifies wholeness, abundance, and a sense of fulfillment.

51. **Seo (서)**: West, or a direction associated with tranquility and peace. It signifies calmness, serenity, and a peaceful nature.

52. **Son (손)**: Hand, representing creativity, skill, and a strong work ethic.

53. **Na (나)**: I, me, or self. It signifies individuality, self-reliance, and a strong sense of identity.

54. **Go (고)**: High, lofty, or noble. It signifies ambition, aspiration, and a striving for greatness.

55. **Ahn (안)**: Safety, peace, or security. It signifies protection, tranquility, and a sense of well-being.

56. **Jeong (정)**: Love, affection, or passion. It signifies deep emotions, strong connections, and a desire for intimacy.

57. **Yeon (연)**: Lotus, symbolizing purity, beauty, and spiritual enlightenment.

58. **Heo (허)**: Empty, void, or vacant. It signifies humility, openness, and a willingness to learn.

59. **Hong (홍)**: Red, representing passion, energy, and good fortune.

60. **Lee (이)**: Plum tree, known for its beauty and resilience. It symbolizes longevity, grace, and prosperity.

61. **Yun (윤)**: Brightness, brilliance, or radiance. It signifies wisdom, intelligence, and a shining personality.