Do you want to name your Little boy with the newest Korean name or find a new name for yourself? Explore our list of more than 209 Korean names for guys right below the infographic. If you prefer old-fashioned names popular in South Korea or are curious about new and creative ones, we’ve got you covered.
In this NexGen Toolkit article, we have a list of Korean names that are continually used along with unique names. About each name they have got the meaning, the way of pronunciation, and the cultural element of that name. South Korea has a very mixed tradition and the names earn to be popular, and if you are going to name your loved one or your future baby, try to find the proper name for you or her.
Our selection of the names is as detailed as possible to let the people appreciate the versatility of the Korean language. Find inspiration in the babies’ given names of individuals who are brave, wise, strong, compassionate, and have other wonderful attributes. That’s why we can help you choose the right Korean name that will sound pleasant and meaningful at the same time.
Prepare yourself for the greatest Korean boys’ naming guide where you will discover the兽 coolest and most lovely names. Because this is a journey of discovery let us choose a name to remember for a season.
Read Next: Nicknames for Michelle
- The Components of a Korean Name
- Cultural significance of Korean names
- Traditional Korean names for boys
- Modern Korean names for boys
- Popular Korean names for boys
- Unique and uncommon Korean names for boys
- Beautiful Korean Names for Boys
- How to choose the right Korean name for your baby boy
- Resources for finding Korean names for boys
- Conclusion: Adopting Korean culture in names
- Additional Resources
The Components of a Korean Name
- Family Name: The most common family names in Korea include Kim, Lee, and Park. These names have deep historical roots.
- Given Name: The given name usually contains two syllables, each chosen based on the desired meaning. For instance, the character “서” (Seo) can mean “auspicious,” and “진” (Jin) can mean “precious.”
Cultural significance of Korean names
The Korean name has special meaning associated with the culture and the history of Korea, besides the dreams of parents when giving the name. This name structure comprises a family name and a personal name commonly having a general part and selected social relations. Most Korean names have Chinese characters in their origin andамy be translated, like ‘민’ for ‘clever/bright’ and ‘재’ for ‘wealth/talent’.
"In Korean culture, names are not just a word but a wish for the child's future."
Proper nouns can be considered virtues, elements of nature, historical personalities, or literary heroes and help people build pride, an identity, and a connection to nature or ancestors. Naming is a serious process in Korea and has cultural significance since the names are part of the individual and societal realities.
Traditional Korean names for boys
Traditional Korean names for boys often carry deep meanings and are saturated in history. The old-generation traditional Korean boy names serve to highlight certain family virtues using certain Hanja characters.
For example, Seok (석) means stone which represents strength, and Jin (진) means sweet or truth. This can evidenced by the names with a meaning such as “Hyun” (현) which means wisdom or “Soo” (수) meaning excellence. These names conforming to the Confucian ideals of keeping, filial duties, and scholarly pursuits, kept the honor and purity of the Koreans.
Explore the charm of classic Korean names steeped in cultural heritage. These traditional names resonate with wisdom and virtue passed down through generations.
- Min-Jun (민준) – “Clever and talented.”
- Ji-Hoon (지훈) – “Wise and rank.”
- Tae-Yang (태양) – “The sun, shining brightly.”
- Dae-Hyun (대현) – “Great and virtuous.”
- Seo-Joon (서준) – “Auspicious and good omen.”
- Young-Ho (영호) – “Eternal greatness.”
- Jung-Soo (정수) – “Pure and refined.”
- Dong-Hyun (동현) – “Eastern brightness.”
- Sang-Woo (상우) – “Mutual respect and virtue.”
- Hwan (환) – “Shining or bright.”
- In-Ho (인호) – “Kindness and tiger.”
- Tae-Woo (태우) – “Great rain or protection.”
- Hyeon-Seok (현석) – “Virtuous and rock.”
- Ki-Bum (기범) – “Foundation and treasure.”
- Myung-Ho (명호) – “Bright and great.”
- Jin-Soo (진수) – “Treasure and excellence.”
- Byung-Chul (병철) – “Bright and iron.”
- Eun-Tae (은태) – “Silver and great.”
- Chul-Woo (철우) – “Iron and rain.”
- Dong-Jin (동진) – “Eastward progress.”
- Han-Soo (한수) – “Big water or lake.”
- Kwang-Hyun (광현) – “Shining virtue.”
- Moon-Jae (문재) – “Learned and talented.”
- Seok-Jin (석진) – “Rock and treasure.”
- Woo-Sung (우성) – “Rain and star.”
- Yeon-Ho (연호) – “Soft tiger.”
- Joon-Sik (준식) – “Talented and ceremony.”
- Soo-Jin (수진) – “Excellence and treasure.”
- Young-Soo (영수) – “Eternal excellence.”
- Ki-Seok (기석) – “Foundation and rock.”
- Hwan-Jin (환진) – “Shining treasure.”
- Jin-Tae (진태) – “Treasure and greatness.”
- Jung-Woo (정우) – “Virtuous and rain.”
- Do-Yoon (도윤) – “Path and light.”
- Sun-Ho (선호) – “Good and tiger.”
- Kyung-Min (경민) – “Respect and cleverness.”
- Chang-Soo (창수) – “Creative and excellence.”
- Hyo-Soo (효수) – “Filial duty and excellence.”
- Seong-Jin (성진) – “Completion and treasure.”
- Woo-Hyun (우현) – “Rain and virtuous.”
Modern Korean names for boys
The common modern Korean names are stylish and popular also they have valuable meanings behind them. They can easily be said and are made up of positive-sounding names such as Ahn which means peace and Dae meaning great.
As a result of that it is inspired by pop culture as well as K-pop stars and those trendy names enable individuality while at the same time paying reverence to the tradition. It is a trend for the parents of children today to adopt elegant Hanja concepts together with modern sounds that are stylish and meaningful in general as well as representing both history and the future.
For those parents who want their child’s name to remember the contemporary world, these modern names are trendy, fresh, and meaningful.
- Ha-Joon (하준) – “Talented and summer.”
- Jun-Seo (준서) – “Handsome and auspicious.”
- Chan-Woo (찬우) – “Praised and divine.”
- Joon-Ho (준호) – “Talented and great.”
- Hyun-Woo (현우) – “Virtuous and divine.”
- Tae-Hyun (태현) – “Great and virtuous.”
- Woo-Jin (우진) – “Universe and treasure.”
- Min-Soo (민수) – “Smart and excellence.”
- Jae-Min (재민) – “Wealth and cleverness.”
- Soo-Hyun (수현) – “Outstanding and virtuous.”
- Hyeon-Jae (현재) – “Wise and present.”
- Da-Yun (다윤) – “All and light.”
- Joon-Young (준영) – “Talented and eternal.”
- Seung-Min (승민) – “Winning and clever.”
- Dong-Min (동민) – “Eastern cleverness.”
- Jin-Hyun (진현) – “Treasure and virtue.”
- Hyo-Jun (효준) – “Filial duty and talented.”
- Ki-Tae (기태) – “Foundation and greatness.”
- Min-Jae (민재) – “Clever and talented.”
- Hyun-Soo (현수) – “Virtuous and excellence.”
- Tae-Sung (태성) – “Great and star.”
- Woo-Seok (우석) – “Rain and rock.”
- Eun-Chan (은찬) – “Silver and praise.”
- Jun-Woo (준우) – “Talented and rain.”
- Do-Hoon (도훈) – “Path and teaching.”
- Kyung-Joon (경준) – “Respect and talented.”
- Sung-Hoon (성훈) – “Completion and teaching.”
- Jae-Sung (재성) – “Wealth and star.”
- Yoon-Soo (윤수) – “Soft and excellent.”
- Chang-Joon (창준) – “Creative and talented.”
Popular Korean names for boys
Popular Korean boy names such as Minho(민호), Jiwon(지원), and Jinwoo(진우) are both modern and traditional and mean strength, intelligence and warm-heartedness respectively. Names like “Seungjae” (승재) carry the meaning of success and talent.
Other reasons include cultural shifts created from raw materials such as K-dramas and K-pop concerts where certain names such as Donghae (동해) and Sungmin (성민) are currently popular because of celebrities. This makes it an adapting and continuous naming environment.
These names are loved by parents across Korea and beyond, making them timeless yet trendy choices.
- Seung-Hyun (승현) – “Winning and virtuous.”
- Yoon-Seo (윤서) – “Soft and auspicious.”
- Dong-Woo (동우) – “Eastern rain.”
- Ji-Yong (지용) – “Wisdom and courage.”
- Jin-Ho (진호) – “Treasure and greatness.”
- Hyun-Jin (현진) – “Virtuous and treasure.”
- Min-Ho (민호) – “Clever and great.”
- Jun-Hyeok (준혁) – “Talented and radiant.”
- Chan-Ho (찬호) – “Praised and greatness.”
- Eun-Seo (은서) – “Silver and auspicious.”
- Tae-Yong (태용) – “Great and dragon.”
- Hyeon-Woo (현우) – “Virtuous and divine.”
- Joon-Soo (준수) – “Talented and excellent.”
- Sung-Hyun (성현) – “Completion and virtue.”
- Woo-Min (우민) – “Rain and cleverness.”
- Kyung-Woo (경우) – “Respect and rain.”
- Seo-Hyun (서현) – “Auspicious and virtuous.”
- Hyeon-Seo (현서) – “Virtuous and auspicious.”
- Ji-Seok (지석) – “Wisdom and rock.”
- Min-Hyuk (민혁) – “Clever and shining.”
- Do-Min (도민) – “Path and cleverness.”
- Tae-Seok (태석) – “Great and rock.”
- Jin-Seo (진서) – “Treasure and auspicious.”
- Young-Tae (영태) – “Eternal greatness.”
- Chang-Ho (창호) – “Creative and greatness.”
- Ki-Yong (기용) – “Foundation and courage.”
- Joon-Seok (준석) – “Talented and rock.”
- Min-Sung (민성) – “Clever and star.”
- Sung-Tae (성태) – “Completion and greatness.”
- Hyun-Chan (현찬) – “Virtuous and praise.”
Unique and uncommon Korean names for boys
Parents looking for non-typical options might find that several Korean boy names are still rare in the main English-speaking world. The names of the idols which can be named as Joonseok (준석, handsome stone), and Kyungsoo (경수, respectable endurance) are strong and meaningful.
These names usually contain very hidden Hanja characters therefore there is room and freedom to be creative with them. Selecting an unusual name can give a child a great sense of pride as well as that the particular name represents the family’s history, beliefs, or even story.
If you’re looking for names that stand out, these uncommon gems might be what you’re searching for. Each name is unique yet rich in meaning.
- Hae-Min (해민) – “Sea and cleverness.”
- Ji-Wan (지원) – “Wisdom and harmony.”
- In-Jae (인재) – “Kind and talent.”
- Yoon-Ho (윤호) – “Soft and greatness.”
- Sun-Kyu (선규) – “Good and precious.”
- Tae-Gyun (태균) – “Great and balanced.”
- Chul-Min (철민) – “Iron and cleverness.”
- Ki-Ho (기호) – “Foundation and greatness.”
- Jae-Hyun (재현) – “Wealth and virtue.”
- Woo-Tae (우태) – “Rain and greatness.”
- Dong-Seok (동석) – “Eastern rock.”
- Young-Gyu (영규) – “Eternal and precious.”
- Seong-Kyu (성규) – “Completion and precious.”
- Ji-Sang (지상) – “Wisdom and summit.”
- Hyo-Min (효민) – “Filial and cleverness.”
- Jun-Il (준일) – “Talented and one.”
- Tae-Moon (태문) – “Great and literary.”
- Do-Hyun (도현) – “Path and virtue.”
- Woo-Chan (우찬) – “Rain and praise.”
- Han-Kyu (한규) – “Big and precious.”
- Eun-Tae (은태) – “Silver and greatness.”
- Seok-Min (석민) – “Rock and cleverness.”
- Hyeon-Kyu (현규) – “Virtuous and precious.”
- Soo-Jae (수재) – “Excellence and talent.”
- Jung-Chan (정찬) – “Virtuous and praise.”
- Yoon-Tae (윤태) – “Soft and greatness.”
- Joon-Sang (준상) – “Talented and mutual respect.”
- Byung-Min (병민) – “Bright and clever.”
- Chang-Yoon (창윤) – “Creative and soft.”
- Min-Sik (민식) – “Clever and ceremony.”
Beautiful Korean Names for Boys
Some names keep an inherent beauty, both in their sound and meaning. Here’s a collection of elegant names that exude charm and grace.
- Seojun (서준) – “Auspicious and talented.”
- Yoonseo (윤서) – “Soft and auspicious.”
- Minsoo (민수) – “Clever and water.”
- Hyunwoo (현우) – “Virtuous and divine.”
- Jinhan (진한) – “Treasure and big.”
- Byungho (병호) – “Bright and tiger.”
- Sunghyun (성현) – “Completion and virtue.”
- Kyungmin (경민) – “Respect and cleverness.”
- Jiwon (지원) – “Wisdom and harmony.”
- Dongyeol (동열) – “Eastern and passionate.”
- Euntae (은태) – “Silver and greatness.”
- Seokjin (석진) – “Rock and treasure.”
- Haemin (해민) – “Sea and cleverness.”
- Junyoung (준영) – “Talented and eternal.”
- Hyojun (효준) – “Filial and talented.”
- Chanwoo (찬우) – “Praised and divine.”
- Yeongjoon (영준) – “Brave and talented.”
- Minjae (민재) – “Clever and talented.”
- Seunghyun (승현) – “Victory and virtue.”
For more inspiration on Beautiful Korean Girl, check out our detailed guide here.”
How to choose the right Korean name for your baby boy
Selecting a Korean name for your little boy is about identifying one that is right for your family, Korean if the child is of Korean heritage or your choosing if the child will grow up in Korea or if you plan to have same from Korea, that has the suitable ethic, moral and personal values as your own as well as goals and dreams for the future.
Our name should have value it could be strength, kindness, etc, and we must let the name roll off our tongues easily with the family name and remember the sound, rhythm, and nicknames. Ask your family and friends but do not be swayed by them when choosing a name that you and your partner feel okay with.
Key Points for Choosing a Korean Boy Name:
- Meaning: Choose the names that have characteristics that are dear to you (strength, kindness, intelligence, etc).
- Cultural Significance: Pay respect to your origins as well as confirm that the name you want to use corresponds with tradition.
- Sound & Flow: The name should bear a satisfactory phonetic relationship to your family name and should be easy to say aloud.
- Nicknames: Think about what ways it could be possibly cut down or altered into nicknames.
- Perception: Consider such practices as how others may perceive the name in other situations or scenarios.
- Feedback: Ask people around you for their opinion but more importantly consider your reservations about the name.
Resources for finding Korean names for boys
Choosing the right Korean name for your baby boy is quite fulfilling as you will find out from this list. There are several online name generators, databases, and cultural websites that are a perfect resource for choosing the name for your pet as they provide dozens of names along with their meanings and cultural references. As for the second proposal, there are books dedicated to the Korean naming traditions and if you read them you might be able to find the name that you wish to give to your child that reflects your family’s values and or dreams.
You may also get in touch with web platforms and forums related to Korean culture or being a parent. You could count on the experience of parents who have already chosen a name for their child based on their experience and word of mouth. Other sources which provide valuable information include social media groups and blogs that deal with naming trends. Thus, such tools will help you to choose a perfect name with several meanings and, at the same time, attractive.
Remember: "Your child will carry this name throughout their life, so make it memorable and meaningful."
Conclusion: Adopting Korean culture in names
It is a wonderful process to accept the Korean culture through names and to accept the individual and his or her values. Naming is not only a way of defining the child, it is a choice of a name that defines the parent’s expectation of some potency, knowledge, and benevolence from the child. When you give your child a Korean name, not only do you respect your culture but you also give them something to hold on to and guide them throughout their life.
"Names are not just labels; they are a word of identity and culture. Choose wisely, and make it meaningful."
Most of the names used in modern-day Korea are diverse and fall under a wide category where traditional roots and historical touchstones can be coupled with the names of today’s popular styles. Every name means something different and they often stem back to cultural background and what was important to the society of Korea. As parents make their decision, the database will encourage further understanding of the meaning and the history of the name as they pick the one that has the most sentimental value to their family.
In the end, The name you choose for your baby boy is a lifelong gift. It connects him to his roots, reflects your family’s values, and carries the hopes you have for his future. Choosing a Korean name is a beautiful way to honor your culture and create a strong foundation that will stay with him as he grows.
Additional Resources
For more on the significance of names in different cultures, you can explore:
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