Are you interested in learning about the most common Korean last names? Korea has a rich cultural history, and its unique naming traditions are a fascinating part of its identity. This comprehensive guide explores the top Korean surnames, providing detailed insights into their origins, meanings, and cultural significance. From Kim and Park, the most prevalent surnames, to rarer names like Nam and Seo, this list encompasses a diverse array of Korean family names.
1. **Kim (김)**: Meaning "gold" or "metal," symbolizing wealth and prosperity. It is the most common surname in Korea, representing approximately 21.5% of the population.
2. **Park (박)**: Originating from a type of tree, it signifies strength and longevity. This surname holds the second position in prevalence, representing about 14.7% of the Korean population.
3. **Lee (이)**: Meaning "plum tree," it represents grace and elegance. It is the third most common surname, accounting for approximately 10.9% of the population.
4. **Choi (최)**: Derived from the Chinese character for "best," it symbolizes excellence and achievement. This surname ranks fourth, representing approximately 4.7% of the Korean population.
5. **Jung (정)**: Meaning "upright" or "righteous," it signifies honesty and integrity. It is the fifth most common surname, holding approximately 4.2% of the Korean population.
6. **Kang (강)**: Derived from the word for "river," it signifies strength and resilience. It is the sixth most common surname, representing approximately 3.5% of the Korean population.
7. **Yoo (유)**: Meaning "abundant" or "flowing," it signifies prosperity and wealth. It is the seventh most common surname, accounting for approximately 3.1% of the Korean population.
8. **Yun (윤)**: Originating from the word for "cloud," it represents peace and serenity. It is the eighth most common surname, representing approximately 2.7% of the Korean population.
9. **Kim (김)**: This surname is distinct from the first entry, meaning "to rise" or "to ascend," signifying ambition and success. It is the ninth most common surname, accounting for approximately 2.4% of the population.
10. **Shin (신)**: Meaning "god" or "spirit," it signifies divine protection and luck. It is the tenth most common surname, representing approximately 2.1% of the population.
11. **Oh (오)**: Meaning "five," it represents completeness and harmony. It is the eleventh most common surname, accounting for approximately 1.9% of the population.
12. **Seo (서)**: Meaning "west," it represents a new beginning and a fresh start. It is the twelfth most common surname, representing approximately 1.7% of the population.
13. **Yang (양)**: Meaning "sheep," it signifies gentleness and kindness. It is the thirteenth most common surname, representing approximately 1.5% of the population.
14. **Moon (문)**: Meaning "gate" or "door," it represents opportunity and a new path. It is the fourteenth most common surname, representing approximately 1.3% of the population.
15. **Han (한)**: Meaning "one" or "single," it represents unity and strength. It is the fifteenth most common surname, representing approximately 1.2% of the population.
16. **Cho (조)**: Meaning "ancestor" or "forefather," it signifies respect and lineage. It is the sixteenth most common surname, representing approximately 1% of the population.
17. **Jeon (전)**: Meaning "entire" or "complete," it signifies wholeness and perfection. It is the seventeenth most common surname, representing approximately 0.9% of the population.
18. **Son (손)**: Meaning "hand," it signifies skill and dexterity. It is the eighteenth most common surname, representing approximately 0.8% of the population.
19. **Na (나)**: Meaning "I" or "me," it represents individuality and self-reliance. It is the nineteenth most common surname, representing approximately 0.7% of the population.
20. **Baek (백)**: Meaning "white," it represents purity and innocence. It is the twentieth most common surname, representing approximately 0.6% of the population.
21. **Kim (김)**: This surname is distinct from the first and ninth entries, meaning "to guard" or "to protect," signifying strength and loyalty. It is the twenty-first most common surname, representing approximately 0.5% of the population.
22. **Lim (림)**: Meaning "forest," it represents peace and tranquility. It is the twenty-second most common surname, representing approximately 0.4% of the population.
23. **Jeong (정)**: Meaning "upright" or "righteous," it signifies honesty and integrity. This surname is distinct from the fifth entry, representing approximately 0.4% of the population.
24. **Go (고)**: Meaning "high" or "elevated," it signifies greatness and achievement. It is the twenty-fourth most common surname, representing approximately 0.3% of the population.
25. **Noh (노)**: Meaning "labor" or "work," it signifies diligence and perseverance. It is the twenty-fifth most common surname, representing approximately 0.3% of the population.
26. **Ryu (류)**: Meaning "dragon," it signifies strength and power. It is the twenty-sixth most common surname, representing approximately 0.2% of the population.
27. **Cha (차)**: Meaning "tea," it represents hospitality and kindness. It is the twenty-seventh most common surname, representing approximately 0.2% of the population.
28. **Heo (허)**: Meaning "empty" or "vacant," it signifies humility and simplicity. It is the twenty-eighth most common surname, representing approximately 0.2% of the population.
29. **Nam (남)**: Meaning "south," it represents warmth and abundance. It is the twenty-ninth most common surname, representing approximately 0.1% of the population.
30. **Ahn (안)**: Meaning "safe" or "secure," it signifies protection and peace. It is the thirtieth most common surname, representing approximately 0.1% of the population.
31. **Seong (성)**: Meaning "castle" or "fortress," it signifies strength and defense. It is the thirty-first most common surname, representing approximately 0.1% of the population.
32. **Hong (홍)**: Meaning "red," it represents passion and vitality. It is the thirty-second most common surname, representing approximately 0.1% of the population.
33. **Yoon (윤)**: Meaning "cloud," it represents peace and serenity. This surname is distinct from the eighth entry, representing approximately 0.1% of the population.
34. **Kim (김)**: This surname is distinct from the first, ninth, and twenty-first entries, meaning "to prohibit" or "to forbid," signifying authority and discipline. It is the thirty-fourth most common surname, representing approximately 0.1% of the population.
35. **Jang (장)**: Meaning "general" or "leader," it signifies courage and leadership. It is the thirty-fifth most common surname, representing approximately 0.1% of the population.
36. **Byun (변)**: Meaning "to change" or "to transform," it signifies adaptability and progress. It is the thirty-sixth most common surname, representing approximately 0.1% of the population.
37. **Park (박)**: This surname is distinct from the second entry, meaning "to cut" or "to trim," signifying precision and skill. It is the thirty-seventh most common surname, representing approximately 0.1% of the population.
38. **Lee (이)**: This surname is distinct from the third entry, meaning "to understand" or "to comprehend," signifying knowledge and wisdom. It is the thirty-eighth most common surname, representing approximately 0.1% of the population.
39. **Choi (최)**: This surname is distinct from the fourth entry, meaning "to gather" or "to assemble," signifying unity and collaboration. It is the thirty-ninth most common surname, representing approximately 0.1% of the population.
40. **Kang (강)**: This surname is distinct from the sixth entry, meaning "strong" or "powerful," signifying resilience and determination. It is the fortieth most common surname, representing approximately 0.1% of the population.
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