25 Popular Korean Boy Names You’ll Love

Choosing a Korean boy name can be exciting because every name has a special meaning. Korean boy names stand for good qualities like strength, wisdom, or kindness, and many parents choose them to express their hopes for their child’s future. Each name has two parts: a family name and a given name. The given name is usually made of two syllables, each with its own meaning from traditional hanja characters.

Korean boy names sound elegant and carry a lot of history. Before Hangul was created, people used Chinese characters, and many families still choose names based on these characters today. Some names feel very strong or bright, while others are inspired by nature or simple, modern styles. Families sometimes even give siblings names that share one matching syllable to show their connection.

As you explore Korean boy names, you’ll notice how each one blends tradition with a modern touch. Similarly, today's parents seek helpful innovations to support their growing family. Helpful tools such as the Momcozy Baby Nasal Aspirator and Sound Machine can make caring for your little one easier. You can learn more by checking out our Momcozy Baby Nasal Aspirator and Baby Sound Machine collections for these baby essentials.

Names of Virtue and Character: Wisdom, Honesty, and Kindness

Ji-Ho (지호)

• Meaning: Ji-ho means “wise” and “brave.” Ji stands for “wisdom.” Ho can mean “tiger,” “bright,” or “heroic.”
• Pronunciation: jee-hoh
• Variations: Jiho, Ji-hoo, Ji-hon
• Notable Bearers: Oh Ji-ho (Korean actor), Choi Ji-ho (K-pop singer)

Seon-Woo (선우)

• Meaning: Seon-woo means “good” and “friendly.” Seon stands for "good" or "kind." Woo can mean "rain" or "friend."
• Pronunciation: sun-woo
• Variations: Seonwoo, Sun-woo, Sunwoo, Sunoo
• Notable Bearers: Seon-woo Kim (Korean actor)

Seong-Min (성민)

• Meaning: Seong-min means “clever” and “successful.” Seong can mean “to succeed.” Min can mean “quick,” “sharp,” or “gentle.”
• Pronunciation: suhng-meen
• Variations: Seongmin, Sung-min, Sungmin
• Notable Bearers: Kim Seong-min (baseball player), Choi Seong-min (actor)

Ji-Hwan (지환)

• Meaning: Ji-hwan means “wise” and “bright.” Ji stands for “wisdom.” Hwan can mean “shining” or “joyful.”
• Pronunciation: jee-hwahn
• Variations: Jihwan, Jee-hwan, Ji-hwan
• Notable Bearers: Ji-hwan Kang (baseball player), Ji-hwan Park (footballer)

Ji-Sung (지성)

• Meaning: Ji-sung means “wise” and “successful.” Ji stands for “wisdom.” Sung can mean “honesty” or “flourishing.”
• Pronunciation: jee-soong
• Variations: Jisung, Ji-Seung, Jai-Sung, Ji-Seong

• Notable Bearers: Park Ji-Sung (footballer), Kwak Tae-Geun, known as Ji-Sung (actor)

Names of Success and Status: Talent, Strength, and Victory

Hyun-Jae (현재)

• Meaning: Hyun-jae means “wise” and “talented.” Hyun stands for “virtuous,” “dazzling,” or “worthy.” Jae can mean “talent” or “wealth.”
• Pronunciation: hyun-jae
• Variations: Hyunjae
• Notable Bearers: Lee Hyun-jae (footballer), Yoon Hyun-jae (actor)

Yeon-Seok (연석)

• Meaning: Yeon-seok means “lotus” and “rock.” Yeon stands for lotus, a pure and beautiful flower. Seok can mean rock, strength and resilience.
• Pronunciation: yeon-seok
• Variations: Yeon-Seog, Yeonseok
• Notable Bearers: Yoo Yeon-seok (actor), Kim Yeon-seok (actor), Kim Yeon-seok (footballer)

Woo-Sung (우성)

• Meaning: Woo-sung means “fortunate” and “successful.” Woo can mean “rain” or “friend.” Sung can mean “honesty” or “flourishing.”
• Pronunciation: woo-sung
• Variations: Woo-Seong, Woosung, Wooseong
• Notable Bearers: Yoo Ah-In (born Uhm Hong-sik), also known as Yoo Woo-sung (actor), Kim Woo-sung (singer), Lee Woo-sung (footballer)

Jae-Hee (재희)

• Meaning: Jae-Hee means “talented” and “graceful.” Jae stands for “talent.” Hee can mean “joy” or “grace.”
• Pronunciation: jay-hee
• Variations: Jae-Hea, Jaehee
• Notable Bearers: Lee Jae-hee (actor), Park Jae-hee (singer), Kim Jae-hee (dancer)

Seung-Jae (승재)

• Meaning: Seung-Jae means “victorious” and “talented.” Seung stands for “victory” or “to succeed.” Jae can mean “talent” or “wealth.”
• Pronunciation: seung-jae
• Variations: Seungjae
• Notable Bearers: Lee Seung-jae (actor), Park Seung-jae (footballer)

Names of Light and Splendor: Brightness, Shine, and Radiance

Chan-Young (찬영)

• Meaning: Chan-young means “brilliant” and “forever.” Chan stands for “brilliant.” Young can mean “forever” or “sunlight.
• Pronunciation: chan-young
• Variations: Chanyoung, Chan-yeong
• Notable Bearers: Yoon Chan-young (actor)

Tae-Hwan (태환)

• Meaning: Tae-hwan means “great” and “bright.” Tae stands for “great” or “big.” Hwan can mean “bright” or “radiant.”
• Pronunciation: tae-hwan
• Variations: Taehwan, Tae-Hwan
• Notable Bearers: Kim Tae-hwan (footballer), Lee Tae-hwan (actor)

Kwang-Ho (광호)

• Meaning: Kwang-Ho means “light” and “goodness.” Kwang stands for “light” or “brightness.” Ho can mean “good” or “great.”
• Pronunciation: kwahng-ho
• Variations: Kwangho, Kwang-Ho
• Notable Bearers: Hong Kwang-Ho (actor)

Byeong-Ho (병호)

• Meaning: Byeong-Ho means “bright” and “great.” Byeong stands for “bright,” “luminous,” or “glorious.” Ho can mean “great,” “vast,” or “heaven.”
• Pronunciation: byung-ho
• Variations: Byeongho, Byeong-Ho
• Notable Bearers: Kim Byeong Ho (YM Entertainment Trainee)

Tae-oh (태오)

• Meaning: Tae-oh means “great” and “bright.” Tae stands for “great.” Oh can mean “bright” or “cherished.”
• Pronunciation: tae-oh
• Variations: Taeoh, Tae-Oh
• Notable Bearers: Kang Tae-oh (singer and actor)

Names of Time, Place, and Nature: Seasons, Direction, and Elements

Dong-Hyun (동현)

• Meaning: Dong-hyun means “east” and “virtuous.” Dong stands for “east.” Hyun can mean “virtuous,” “dazzling,” or “worthy.”
• Pronunciation: dong-hyun
• Variations: Donghyun, Dohng-hyun, Donghyeon
• Notable Bearers: Kim Dong-hyun (singer), Yun Dong-hyun (figure skater), Choi Dong-hyun (taekwondo athlete)

Ha-Neul (하늘)

• Meaning: Ha-Neul means “sky.” It represents the wide, open sky.
• Pronunciation: ha-neul
• Variations: Haneol, Haneul
• Notable Bearers: Jang Ha-neul (footballer), Kim Ha-neul (actor)

Soo-Kyung (수경)

• Meaning: Soo-Kyung means “water mirror.” Soo stands for “water.” Kyung can mean “mirror” or “reflection.”
• Pronunciation: soo-kyung
• Variations: Sukyung, Soo, Kyung
• Notable Bearers: Lee Soo-Kyung (actress)

Dong-Ha (동하)

• Meaning: Dong-ha means “east” and “summer” or “river.” Dong stands for “east.” Ha can mean “summer” or “river.”
• Pronunciation: dong-ha
• Variations: Dongha, Dong-Ha
• Notable Bearers: Lee Dong-ha (actor)

Ho-Seok (호석)

• Meaning: Ho-Seok means “great” and “magnificent.” Ho stands for “great.” Seok can mean “magnificent” or “stone.”
• Pronunciation: ho-sok
• Variations: Hoseok, Hosuk
• Notable Bearers: Jung Ho-seok (K-pop idol, stage name J-Hope)

Single-Syllable and Unconventional Names

Jin (진)

• Meaning: Jin means “truth” or “genuine.” It can also mean “precious” or “jewel.”
• Pronunciation: jin
• Variations: Jin, Jhin
• Notable Bearers: Kim Seok-jin (Jin), a BTS Kpop idol

Han (한)

• Meaning: Han means “great” or “big.” It can also mean “king” or “country” depending on the hanja used.

• Pronunciation: hahn
• Variations: Han, Hahn, Haan
• Notable Bearers: Han Ji-sung, a Straykids Kpop idol

Won (원)

• Meaning: Won can mean “origin,” “first,” or “complete.” There are many hanja characters for Won, so its meaning depends on which one is used.
• Pronunciation: won
• Variations: Won, Weon
• Notable Bearers: Won Ki-joon (actor)

Joon (준)

• Meaning: Joon can mean “talented,” “handsome,” or “ruler,” depending on which hanja is used.
• Pronunciation: joon (like “June”)
• Variations: Jun, Chun, June
• Notable Bearers: Bong Joon-ho (film director)

Min (민)

• Meaning: Min can mean “quick” or “clever” (when written as 敏), or “people” / “citizen” (when written as 民).
• Pronunciation: min (like “min” in “mint”)
• Variations: Min (same), Mīn (in older romanizations)
• Notable Bearers: Lee Min-ho (actor), Namkoong Min (actor)

Sol (솔)

• Meaning: Sol translates to “pine tree” in Korean. Pine trees are strong and live a long time, so the name feels calm and strong.
• Pronunciation: sohl (like “sole” of a shoe)
• Variations: Sol, Soll
• Notable Bearers: Sol-Bin Kim (speed skater)

FAQs

What makes Korean boy names special?

Korean boy names usually have deep meanings that come from good values, nature, or strong character traits. Many names use Hanja, which are Chinese characters that add extra meaning. This helps each name feel unique.

How are Korean names written?

A standard Korean name starts with the family name, and the given name comes after. The given name has two syllables, like Min-jun or Ji-ho.

Do all Korean boy names use Hanja?

No, not all names use Hanja. Many classic names do, but modern parents also choose pure Korean names written only in Hangul. These names are simple and have meanings from everyday Korean words.

What’s the difference between Hangul names and Hanja names?

Hangul names use native Korean words, like Ha-neul, which means “sky.” Hanja names use Chinese characters that carry symbolic meanings, such as strength, wisdom, or brightness. Both types are widely used in Korea.

Are Korean boy names easy to say?

Some are very easy to pronounce, like Jun or Min. But names with sounds like “Hy” (Hyun) or “Eo” (Seo) can be tricky at first. With a little practice, most people can say them correctly.