💎 What you'll learn in this post
📌 Heads up before you read
In the previous post, we talked about the structure of Korean names and surnames. Today, we’re diving even deeper into the meaning behind Korean first names. If you’re thinking of creating your own Korean first name, make sure to pay close attention!
This will also come in handy when exchanging names with the Korean friends you’ll soon meet. Now, let’s uncover the secrets of Korean first names that you won’t hear anywhere else!
📌 So Much Thought for Just One First Name?
The Special Way Koreans Name Their Children’s First Names!
You might think that naming a child is a simple task, but in Korea, an incredible amount of thought and meaning goes into choosing just one first name.
In Korean first names, the part that comes after the family name represents a person's individuality and identity—it's a big deal! You might be surprised and think, "Are they really this serious about choosing a first name?"
There’s a Korean saying: "A tiger leaves its skin when it dies, but a person leaves their name." This shows how important a name is to Koreans. When a child is born, parents put a lot of effort into giving them the best first name, as it reflects their hopes, values, and dreams for the child's future.
First names aren’t chosen casually in Korea. Sometimes, families hire a naming expert to choose the name. These experts look at the energy of the day the child was born and choose a name that harmonizes with the energy of the universe. It’s believed that the Hanja (Chinese characters) or Hangeul letters used in a name reflect the flow of nature and the universe. The first name embodies the philosophy of harmony between nature and humans.
So, when you meet Koreans, remember that their first names are created through this deep process and carry significant meaning! Koreans use these first names every day, infused with such meaningful energy.
🖐️ These days, some parents name their children after someone they admire or respect. But remember, this is only done if they truly and deeply admire or like that person!
📌 Korean First Names: Divided into 3 Types?
Korean first names can be broadly categorized into three types: Hanja names, pure Hangeul names, and other names.
✅ Hanja First Names
Asian countries, including Korea, have been influenced by Hanja. This means that Korean first names often carry deep meanings through these characters.
For example, KONOGRAM's edutainer Maia's Korean first name is 연화 (Yeon-hwa), written in Hanja as 蓮華. Here, Yeon (연) means 🌺 lotus flower, and Hwa (화) means 🌞 radiance. It might seem like a simple flower name, but it actually carries the significant intentions of the grandfather who chose this name.
A lotus flower has the remarkable ability to purify dirty water. Yeon-hwa’s grandfather chose this first name with the hope that, like the lotus flower, she would always keep a pure and clean heart even in a dirty and dark world, and would shine brightly and make the world shine as well. Isn’t that amazing? 😀 Korean first names often come with such deep and special stories.
In Korea, even if people have the same first name, like 민수 (Min-soo), the meaning can change depending on the Hanja characters used.
Each Hanja has different meanings, so one Hanja can represent various ideas. So, even if two people have the same Korean first name and the same Hanja, the meaning their parents want to convey can be different!
Even if two people have the same first name, like 민수 (Min-soo), the meaning can differ depending on the Hanja used. For example, the Hanja 華 (Hwa, 화) in 연화 (Yeon-hwa) can mean 🌟 shine, but it can also mean 🌺 flower or ⭐ beautiful.
So, if Yeon-hwa’s grandfather chose Hwa (화) to mean ⭐ beautiful or ⭐ glorious, the meaning of Yeon-hwa’s first name would change. It would then convey the idea of living a beautiful and glorious life, like a stunning flower.
✅ Pure Korean First Names
If you’re into K-Pop, you might know 2NE1. One of the members is Park Sandara (박산다라), and her first name, Sandara (산다라), is a pure Korean name. Pure Korean names use only native Korean words with no foreign influences, and they are written in Hangeul. Sandara means 'strong and steadfast'. From her first name, you can get an idea of what her parents hoped for her and the kind of person they wanted her to be!
✅ Other First Names
Some parents choose first names based on English names, hoping their child will become a global citizen. But these names must still need to have clear meanings and sound natural in Korean. For example, names like 노아 (Noah), 새라/세라 (Sarah), 다나 (Dana), and 제니 (Jennie) are English names but fit well in Korean too.
While Hanja-based names are still popular, more and more parents are opting for pure Korean first names these days!
Interesting Facts
About Korean first names
You’ll Want to Know
📌 In Korean Names, There Is No Concept of a Middle Name!
In other countries, names are often divided into first name, middle name, and last name. However, Korean names have only two parts: the surname and the first name (given name). The surname comes first, followed by the first name!
📌 Korean First Names Vary from 1 to 16 Syllables
In Korea, first names can vary in length from just 1 syllable up to 16 syllables.
For instance, the longest Korean first name is 하늘별님구름햇님보다사랑스러우리[ha-neul-byeol-nim-gu-reum-haen-nim-bo-da-sa-rang-seu-reo-u-ri], a name created with pure Hangeul. This first name means 'More lovable than the sky, stars, clouds, and sunshine.' It’s quite unique!
There’s a touching story behind her first name. When her father received the news of his daughter's birth, he was on his way from Busan to Seoul and saw the night sky. At that moment, seeing the beautiful stars, sky, and clouds, he chose this name to express that his daughter was even more precious than these beautiful sights. It was a wonderful way to show his love. 😍
On the other hand, the shortest Korean first names are just 1 syllable long, known as 외자[oe-ja]. [oe] means 'only one' , and many Koreans also have single-syllable names as well.
📌 First Names Have Different Feels and Vibes!
You can’t just choose a first name randomly! Just like anywhere else, a first name carries a lot of importance when it comes to the feeling and vibe it gives off. Each character in a first name affects us through its energy, the waves it sends out, and the social issues connected to it.
So if you just copy someone else's first name or create a similar one without thinking, you might end up with a name that doesn't suit you at all and could even become a source of teasing.
Even though it's an older show, there's a 2006 K-drama that many Koreans still love to watch called <My Lovely Sam Soon>. If you translate the Korean title directly, it’s <My Name is Kim Sam Soon>. You probably guessed that this drama is all about names, right? 😊
The main character’s first name is 삼순 (Sam-soon), and she really hates it because she thinks it sounds old-fashioned and doesn’t suit her at all. She even believes the reason she hasn’t found a great guy is because of her name. 'Sam-soon' sounds like something from the early 1900s—super outdated and not fitting for someone like Sam-soon, who’s a top-notch pastry chef.
So, when choosing a first name, it’s important to think about the vibe and feeling it gives. If you pick a name without much thought, it might not suit you and could lead to some awkward situations. Don’t forget that!
📌 First Name Trends Change with the Times!
Just like in other countries, popular first names in Korea change with the times. We’ll dive deeper into this K-Name around November or December, so stay tuned!
Until now, when you met a Korean, you probably just asked for their first name, right? Well, starting today, don’t just stop at their first name! Ask about its meaning and who gave it to them. Doing this will totally level up your Korean skills! Plus, you’ll be able to have deeper conversations with your Korean friends through their first names. So go ahead and try out some next-level conversations!
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