49 Common Korean Last Names
In Korea, interestingly, only about 286 surnames are used today. Out of them, we have gathered the most common and, on the other hand, the rarest ones with their meaning and origin.
23 Common Korean Last Names and Their Deep Meanings
In Korea three names, Kim Lee and Park, dominate nearly half the population. In this culture, each surname has a Hanja root and a bon-gwan that anchors the name to its geographic origin. According to Statistics Korea, more than 21% of South Koreans currently bear the surname Kim.
Here are 23 of the most common Korean last names, each with its meaning and historical weight:
| Last Name | Hanja | Meaning | Notable Bon-gwan (Clan Origin) |
| Kim (김) | 金 | Gold, metal | Gimhae, Gyeongju, Andong |
| Lee (이) | 李 | Plum tree | Jeonju, Gyeongju |
| Park (박) | 朴 | Gourd, simple/plain | Miryang, Bannam |
| Choi (최) | 崔 | Pinnacle, lofty | Gyeongju, Haeju |
| Jeong (정) | 鄭 / 丁 | Upright, righteous | Jinju, Naju |
| Kang (강) | 姜 | Ginger or strength | Jinju, Geumcheon |
| Jo (조) | 趙 | To surpass, move forward | Hanyang, Pungyang |
| Yoon (윤) | 尹 | To govern, oversee | Papyeong, Haepyeong |
| Jang (장) | 張 | Expand, stretch | Deoksu, Indong |
| Im (임/림) | 林 / 任 | Forest / to entrust | Pungcheon, Naju |
| Han (한) | 韓 | Korea, large | Cheongju, Danju |
| Oh (오) | 吳 | To shout, name of Wu state | Haeju, Boseong |
| Seo (서) | 徐 | Slow, calm | Dalseong, Buyeo |
| Shin (신) | 申 | To extend, stretch | Goryeong, Pyeongsan |
| Kwon (권) | 權 | Authority, power | Andong |
| Hwang (황) | 黃 | Yellow, gold | Jangsu, Changwon |
| Ahn (안) | 安 | Peace, safety | Sunheung, Juksan |
| Song (송) | 宋 | Song Dynasty, pine tree | Eunjin, Yeosan |
| Ryu (류/유) | 柳 | Willow tree | Munhwa, Jeonju |
| Hong (홍) | 洪 | Flood, vast | Namyang, Gwangju |
| Yang (양) | 梁 | Beam, bridge | Cheongju, Namwon |
| Go (고) | 高 | Tall, high | Jeju, Hoengseong |
| Baek (백) | 白 | White, pure | Suwon, Haeju |
17 Rare and Unique Korean Last Names You’ll Probably Never Hear
Most Korean names often trace back to ancient kingdoms, noble families, or foreign influence. Here are 17 rare or unique Korean last names, along with meanings and origins:
| Last Name | Hanja | Meaning | Notes |
| Namgung (남궁) | 南宮 | Southern palace | One of the few compound surnames |
| Dokgo (독고) | 獨孤 | Lone orphan | Chinese noble origin, very rare |
| Seomun (서문) | 西門 | West gate | Used by ancient aristocracy |
| Hwangbo (황보) | 皇甫 | Imperial constable | Rare surname from Goryeo period |
| Jangnyeon (장년) | 長年 | Long years | Possibly extinct |
| Sog (속) | 束 | Bind, fasten | Extremely rare, uncertain origin |
| Mangjul (망절) | 亡節 | Lost virtue | Only a few families remain |
| Sagong (사공) | 司空 | Master of Works | Ancient government post |
| Gok (곡) | 谷 | Valley | Less than 500 bearers in Korea |
| Hyeon (현) | 玄 | Deep, profound | More common in North Korea |
| Mae (매) | 梅 | Plum blossom | Associated with Chinese ancestry |
| Chaek (책) | 冊 | Book, register | Possibly absorbed into other clans |
| Yeom (염) | 廉 | Honest, frugal | Under 5,000 people |
| U (우) | 禹 | Ancient ruler’s name | Symbolic, but rare today |
| Gil (길) | 吉 | Fortune, luck | Used in Jeolla region |
| Tan (탄) | 彈 | Shoot, fire | Limited to specific families |
| Pi (피) | 皮 | Skin, hide | Extremely rare; under 100 families |
Korean Last Names and Meanings: What They Reveal About You
Every Korean surname has a corresponding Hanja character that is a phonetic label. Usually, it is inherited through the father’s lineage. For example, many royl families bore the name Kim (金) meaning gold, historically representing purity and nobility. Similarly, consider Lee (李), meaning plum tree, symbolizes resilience and longevity in East Asian culture.
Here are a few more revealing examples:
| Last Name | Hanja | Literal Meaning | Cultural Interpretation |
| Park (朴) | Gourd | Simplicity, humility | |
| Choi (崔) | High/lofty | Nobility, ambition | |
| Yoon (尹) | To govern | Leadership, steadiness | |
| Seo (徐) | Slow, gentle | Calm, quiet strength | |
| Ahn (安) | Peace | Tranquility, safety | |
| Baek (白) | White, pure | Innocence, clarity | |
| Shin (申) | Extend, declare | Expression, communication | |
| Kwon (權) | Authority | Power, influence | |
| Hong (洪) | Vast, flood | Abundance, impact |
13 Female and Male Korean Last Names That Carry Legacy
In Korean culture, interestingly, surnames don’t signal gender.
Here are 13 gender-neutral Korean last names that have built reputations of dignity no matter who wears them:
| Last Name | Famous Figures | Legacy Notes |
| Kim (김) | Kim Yuna (figure skater), Kim Dae-jung (president) | Synonymous with royalty and excellence |
| Lee (이) | Lee Hyo-ri (singer), Lee Byung-hun (actor) | Cultural versatility—music, politics, film |
| Park (박) | Park Shin-hye (actress), Park Ji-sung (footballer) | Athleticism, charisma, national pride |
| Choi (최) | Choi Soo-young (Girls’ Generation), Choi Min-sik (actor) | Sophisticated, cinematic presence |
| Han (한) | Han Hyo-joo (actress), Han Seung-soo (former PM) | Often linked to literary or elite circles |
| Kang (강) | Kang Daniel (idol), Kang Sora (actress) | Edgy, modern, urban cool |
| Shin (신) | Shin Se-kyung (actress), Shin Dong-yup (comedian) | Artistic, humorous, intelligent |
| Jung (정) | Jung Ho-yeon (model), Jung Woo-sung (actor) | Global, edgy, fashionable |
| Yoon (윤) | Yoon Mi-rae (singer), Yoon Suk-yeol (president) | Political and cultural leadership |
| Ahn (안) | Ahn So-hee (idol), Ahn Jung-geun (independence fighter) | Patriotism and poise |
| Ryu (류/유) | Ryu Jun-yeol (actor), Ryu Hyun-jin (MLB pitcher) | Resilient, world-class talent |
| Seo (서) | Seo In-guk (singer/actor), Seo Hyun-jin (actress) | Soft power, subtle brilliance |
| Go (고) | Go Ah-sung (actress), Go Seung-jeong (economist) | Quiet depth and integrity |
South Korean vs. North Korean Last Names: What’s the Difference?
At first glance, North and South Korean surnames look identical. But, there are faint seams of difference as Kim, Lee, Park are written differently. Sometimes these same names are spoken in different ways in North and South Korea.
For Example:
The biggest divergence? Romanization.
- In South Korea, the surname 이 is usually written as Lee.
- In the North, it becomes Ri—a nod to older pronunciation norms preserved by Pyongyang’s state policies.
Another example: Hyun (현) in the South might be Hyon in the North. The structure stays the same, but transliteration bends with ideology and linguistics.
The Bon-Gwan System: Korea’s Hidden Naming Code
In Korea, two people named Kim aren’t necessarily related. Unless they share the same bon-gwan, like Gimhae Kim or Gyeongju Kim. There are over 300 bon-gwan just for Kim alone. Without it, you’d be guessing which tree a branch came from. Many Koreans and researchers trace their bon-gwan lineage using resources from the Academy of Korean Studies, which houses Korea’s largest genealogy database
Historically, bon-gwan was so important that Korean law once banned marriage between people with the same surname and bon-gwan. The assumption? They shared too close a bloodline. That law only changed in 1997, after centuries of influence.
Here are a few examples of major surnames and their bon-gwan:
| Surname | Bon-gwan (Ancestral Origin) | Region |
| Kim (김) | Gimhae | South Gyeongsang |
| Lee (이) | Jeonju | North Jeolla |
| Park (박) | Miryang | South Gyeongsang |
| Choi (최) | Gyeongju | North Gyeongsang |
| Yoon (윤) | Papyeong | Gyeonggi |
Korean Last Names in Pop Culture: 19 Names That Starred on Screen
Korean last names have become global icons due to dramas, films and K-pop. These surnames aren’t just identifiers, but a legacy wrapped in media stardom.
Here are 19 Korean last names that found fame and told stories in pop culture:
| Last Name | Famous Person/Character | Why It Matters |
| Kim (김) | Kim Namjoon (RM of BTS) | Symbol of modern leadership and intellect |
| Lee (이) | Lee Min-ho (actor) | Synonymous with Hallyu wave |
| Park (박) | Park Jimin (BTS), Park Seo-joon | Soft power, charm, global appeal |
| Choi (최) | Choi Siwon (Super Junior) | Sophistication and longevity |
| Han (한) | Han Hyo-joo (actress), Han Solo (parodied in Korean memes) | Cultural crossover |
| Seo (서) | Seo In-guk (actor/singer) | Depth, introspective art |
| Yoon (윤) | Yoon Mi-rae (rapper/singer) | Voice of Korean-American identity |
| Shin (신) | Shin Min-a (actress) | Classic beauty and resilience |
| Jung (정) | Jung Ho-yeon (Squid Game) | Breakout global fame, fashion icon |
| Kang (강) | Kang Daniel (idol) | Trendy, street-smart vibe |
| Ahn (안) | Ahn Bo-hyun (actor) | Masculinity and grounded charisma |
| Hwang (황) | Hwang Min-hyun (idol/actor) | Elegant, reserved strength |
| Ryu (류/유) | Ryu Jun-yeol (actor) | Nontraditional, thoughtful characters |
| Go (고) | Go Ah-sung (actress) | Indie depth meets star presence |
| Jang (장) | Jang Na-ra (actress/singer) | Multitalented, ageless appeal |
| Im (임) | Lim Young-woong (trot singer) | Tradition meets new fame |
| Song (송) | Song Joong-ki (actor) | Romance and heroism in Korean drama |
| Cho/Jo (조) | Jo In-sung (actor) | Leading man with emotional gravity |
| Baek (백) | Baekhyun (EXO) | Vocal power and charisma |
11 Korean Last Names Perfect for Writers, Gamers, or Storytellers
When naming a character, gamer tag, or alter ego, the surname sets the tone. It hints at backstory, and whispers legacy before a word is spoken. Korean last names are short, elegant, and often poetic. So, the offer a subtle way to inject depth into storytelling.
Here are 11 Korean last names that feel tailor-made for authors, screenwriters, game designers, and creators looking for names that sound like backstory:
| Last Name | Why It Works in Stories |
| Namgung (남궁) | One of Korea’s rare compound surnames. Feels ancient and noble—perfect for a fantasy sage or warrior clan. |
| Yoon (윤) | Smooth, mysterious. Suits a spy, detective, or tech-savvy character. |
| Ryu (류/유) | Rhythmic and global. Think elite fighter, esports legend, or cyberpunk hacker. |
| Seo (서) | Simple yet sharp. Great for quiet geniuses or high-society protagonists. |
| Han (한) | Evokes national depth (Han is also the poetic word for Korea). Ideal for symbolic heroes. |
| Shin (신) | One syllable, punchy. Could be anything from a street racer to a stoic space captain. |
| Jung (정) | Versatile and clean. Common enough to feel real, strong enough to stand alone. |
| Baek (백) | Means “white”—suggests purity, enigma, or a morally grey antihero. |
| Choi (최) | Recognizable and strong. Works well for antagonists or legacy families. |
| Go (고) | Underrated. Could be sleek for a futuristic character or minimalist moniker. |
| Im (임) | Short and stylistic—ideal for dystopian or sci-fi environments. Quiet but memorable. |
Korean Naming Structure: First Name, Last Name, and Beyond
If you’re used to Western name order, Korean names might feel reversed. Because, in Korea, the last name comes first, followed by a two-syllable given name. It’s a structure that puts family before self. This attribute is a linguistic mirror of Confucian values.
Take Kim Min-jun for example:
- Kim (last name): The family root.
- Min-jun (given name): Personal identity, often with layered meaning via Hanja.
Each syllable in the given name usually carries distinct significance. For instance, Min (敏) might mean “quick” or “clever,” while Jun (俊) can mean “handsome” or “talented.” Parents select these characters carefully, often consulting naming experts or tradition.
Here’s how it compares:
| Structure | Korean | Western |
| Full name | Kim Min-jun | Min-jun Kim |
| Surname | Kim | Kim |
| Given name | Min-jun | Min-jun |
Also worth noting:
- Surnames never change after marriage. A woman keeps her birth surname for life.
- Nicknames and casual forms are rare. Because most Koreans stick to full names or honorifics in formal settings.
Wrap Up
Korean last names aren’t just identifiers. They’re family stories carved in syllables. Whether you carry one, write one, or admire them from afar, understanding these names means stepping into centuries of heritage. If you’re building a character, exploring your ancestry, or just name-curious, we hope this guide lit the path. For more name inspiration across cultures, visit Best Last Names and keep exploring the world one surname at a time.
