Korean American Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide

Korean American last names, often referred to as Korean surnames, hold a rich history and cultural significance. These names are passed down through generations, reflecting family lineage and ancestral ties. This guide provides a comprehensive list of Korean American last names, alongside their intricate meanings, offering a glimpse into the diverse tapestry of Korean culture and heritage.
1. **Kim:** Means "gold" or "metal," representing preciousness and strength. This is the most common Korean surname.
2. **Park:** Indicates a person who lives near a large park or a place with many trees.
3. **Lee:** Means "plum tree," symbolizing longevity and good fortune. This is the second most common Korean surname.
4. **Choi:** Indicates someone who lives in a high or elevated place.
5. **Kang:** Represents "strong" or "powerful," reflecting strength and resilience.
6. **Cho:** Means "bamboo," symbolizing flexibility, adaptability, and resilience.
7. **Jung:** Indicates someone who lives in the center or middle of a place.
8. **Yoon:** Means "permission" or "allowance," signifying fairness and justness.
9. **Chang:** Represents "long" or "lasting," symbolizing longevity and perseverance.
10. **Oh:** Means "five" or "five elements," representing balance and harmony.
11. **Shin:** Indicates someone who is new, fresh, or innovative.
12. **Song:** Means "pine tree," symbolizing endurance, resilience, and longevity.
13. **Hwang:** Indicates someone who is yellow or golden, representing nobility and wealth.
14. **Jeon:** Means "entire" or "whole," signifying completeness and integrity.
15. **Yang:** Represents "sun" or "light," symbolizing hope, optimism, and prosperity.
16. **Moon:** Means "moon" or "lunar," symbolizing beauty, elegance, and mystery.
17. **Kim:** Indicates someone who lives in a place with many golden trees.
18. **Han:** Represents "one" or "single," symbolizing unity and togetherness.
19. **An:** Indicates someone who lives near a safe and peaceful place.
20. **Bae:** Means "pear tree," symbolizing abundance, prosperity, and good fortune.
21. **Jeong:** Represents "righteous" or "just," signifying fairness and integrity.
22. **Seok:** Means "stone" or "rock," symbolizing strength, endurance, and stability.
23. **Yoo:** Indicates someone who is benevolent or compassionate.
24. **Na:** Represents "inside" or "inner," symbolizing the heart and soul.
25. **Noh:** Means "road" or "path," symbolizing direction and guidance.
26. **Ahn:** Indicates someone who lives in a place with a beautiful view.
27. **Byun:** Means "change" or "transformation," signifying adaptation and growth.
28. **Seo:** Represents "west" or "western," symbolizing a new beginning.
29. **Yi:** Means "two" or "dual," symbolizing balance and harmony.
30. **Go:** Indicates someone who lives near a high or elevated place.
31. **Sim:** Means "heart" or "mind," symbolizing emotion and intellect.
32. **Min:** Represents "people" or "nation," signifying community and unity.
33. **Kwon:** Means "authority" or "power," symbolizing leadership and influence.
34. **Ryu:** Indicates someone who is a dragon, symbolizing strength, power, and good fortune.
35. **Baek:** Means "white" or "pure," signifying purity and innocence.
36. **Seo:** Indicates someone who is a bird, symbolizing freedom, joy, and peace.
37. **Yeo:** Means "woman" or "female," signifying nurturing and compassion.
38. **So:** Represents "small" or "little," symbolizing modesty and humility.
39. **Hong:** Means "red" or "crimson," signifying passion, vitality, and good fortune.
40. **Gu:** Indicates someone who lives in a specific region or district.
41. **Kim:** Represents "gold" or "metal," symbolizing preciousness and strength.
42. **Lee:** Indicates someone who lives in a place with many plum trees.
43. **Park:** Means "large park" or "place with many trees," symbolizing peace and tranquility.
44. **Choi:** Represents "high" or "elevated," signifying leadership and ambition.
45. **Kang:** Means "strong" or "powerful," symbolizing resilience and strength.
46. **Cho:** Indicates someone who lives near a place with many bamboo trees.
47. **Jung:** Means "center" or "middle," signifying balance and harmony.
48. **Yoon:** Represents "permission" or "allowance," symbolizing fairness and justice.
49. **Chang:** Means "long" or "lasting," signifying longevity and perseverance.
50. **Oh:** Indicates someone who lives near a place with five elements.