🔥 200 Korean Last Names With Meanings 2026 (Rare + Popular)

Korean last names have a profound historical and cultural significance, often being traced centuries back to the noble lines and ancient clans.

In many Western cultures, surnames can be very different from each other; in Korea, however, only a handful of last names-such as Kim, Lee, and Park-are borne by a large number of people.

However, each last name is further distinguished by a unique ancestral origin called bon-gwan, leading one to particular states or clan histories.

In this article, we’d like to discuss the most common Korean last names, their meanings, and the fascinating myths behind them.

Korean last names

Kim (김, 金) – “Gold” or “Metal”; one of the most common surnames in Korea.

Lee (이/리, 李) – “Plum tree”; another widely used surname.

Park (박, 朴) – “Gourd” or “Simple”; associated with royalty in Silla.

Choi (최, 崔) – “High” or “Lofty”; from an ancient noble lineage.

Jung (정, 鄭/丁/程) – “Upright” or “Proper”; linked to several noble clans.

Kang (강, 姜) – “Ginger”; originally from a powerful Gojoseon family.

Yoon (윤, 尹) – “To govern”; associated with high-ranking officials.

Jang (장, 張) – “To expand” or “To stretch”; a common military-related surname.

Im (임/림, 林) – “Forest”; linked to scholars and officials.

Yoo (유, 柳/庾/兪) – “Willow tree”; found in royal and scholarly lineages.

Shin (신, 申/辛) – “Extend” or “Bitter”; associated with noble families.

Cho (조, 趙) – “Aid” or “Help”; linked to the Goryeo royal family.

Han (한, 韓/漢) – “Korea” or “Chinese Han”; one of the oldest surnames.

Oh (오, 吳) – “Big” or “Grand”; associated with Chinese origins.

Seo (서, 徐/西) – “Slow” or “West”; linked to scholars and officials.

Hwang (황, 黃) – “Yellow”; traced to ancient Chinese nobility.

Ahn (안, 安) – “Peace” or “Safe”; known for its noble ancestry.

Song (송, 宋) – “Song dynasty”; associated with strong military families.

Jeon (전, 全/田) – “Whole” or “Field”; linked to farming traditions.

Hong (홍, 洪) – “Big” or “Flood”; often found in artistic and military families.

Ryu (류/유, 柳) – “Willow tree”; connected to scholarly traditions.

Moon (문, 文) – “Literature”; associated with intellectual families.

Baek (백, 白) – “White” or “Pure”; linked to royalty and scholars.

Nam (남, 南) – “South”; tied to ancient ruling families.

Gu (구, 具/丘) – “Tool” or “Hill”; from influential clans.

Ha (하, 河/夏) – “River” or “Summer”; associated with water-related professions.

Ma (마, 馬) – “Horse”; linked to equestrian and military traditions.

No (노/로, 盧/魯) – “Cottage” or “Simple”; found in royal lineages.

Joo (주, 朱/周) – “Red” or “Surround”; connected to influential clans.

Kwon (권, 權) – “Authority” or “Power”; known for political influence.

Tang (탕, 唐) – “Tang dynasty”; a rarer surname in Korea.

Jin (진, 陳/秦/晉) – “Progress” or “Wealthy”; often tied to royalty.

Sim (심, 沈) – “Deep” or “Sink”; associated with noble families.

Byun (변, 邊/卞) – “Border” or “Change”; linked to military and border officials.

Ham (함, 咸) – “All” or “Together”; associated with unity.

Eom (엄, 嚴) – “Strict” or “Serious”; connected to scholarly traditions.

Yang (양, 梁/楊) – “Bridge” or “Poplar tree”; found in ancient noble families.

Bae (배, 裵/倍) – “Double” or “Gourd”; associated with trade and farming.

Seok (석, 石) – “Stone”; linked to stability and endurance.

Bo (보, 普/寶) – “Universal” or “Treasure”; a rare but meaningful surname.

Wi (위, 魏) – “Great” or “Majestic”; from a powerful Chinese kingdom.

Hyeon (현, 玄) – “Mysterious” or “Dark”; connected to scholars.

Cheon (천, 千) – “Thousand”; symbolizing prosperity.

Do (도, 都/道) – “Capital” or “Way”; linked to leadership and governance.

Jeong (정, 丁/鄭/程) – “Govern” or “Settle”; associated with scholars.

Min (민, 閔/敏) – “Quick-witted” or “Clever”; a common noble surname.

Gong (공, 孔/公) – “Public” or “Confucius”; linked to Confucian scholars.

Sa (사, 司/史) – “History” or “Control”; associated with record-keepers.

Yeom (염, 廉) – “Honest” or “Frugal”; linked to upright officials.

Tak (탁, 卓) – “Outstanding” or “Tall”; associated with distinction.

Eun (은, 殷/恩) – “Silver” or “Grace”; linked to nobility.

Jang (장, 蔣/張) – “Expand” or “Sturdy”; associated with military officials.

Cha (차, 車/遮) – “Cart” or “Vehicle”; related to warriors and transportation.

Hye (혜, 惠) – “Kindness” or “Wisdom”; found in scholarly lineages.

Byeon (변, 卞/邊) – “Change” or “Border”; tied to frontier defense officials.

Seong (성, 成/星/聖) – “Accomplish” or “Star”; linked to influential scholars.

Chae (채, 蔡) – “Vegetable” or “Wealth”; associated with agricultural prosperity.

Man (만, 萬) – “Ten thousand” or “Abundant”; symbolizing great fortune.

Do (도, 都/道) – “Way” or “Metropolis”; connected to governance and philosophy.

Yeon (연, 延/燕) – “Extend” or “Swallow (bird)”; linked to diplomatic families.

Ju (주, 朱/周) – “Red” or “Surround”; associated with ancient rulers.

Hahm (함, 咸) – “Together” or “All-encompassing”; symbolizing unity.

Yang (양, 楊/梁) – “Poplar tree” or “Bridge”; tied to construction and military.

Maeng (맹, 孟) – “Elder” or “Brave”; connected to Confucian scholars.

Yun (윤, 尹) – “Govern”; a surname with deep aristocratic roots.

Wi (위, 魏) – “Majestic”; linked to historical Chinese dynasties.

Kwak (곽, 郭) – “Enclosed city”; associated with protective city officials.

Ok (옥, 玉) – “Jade”; symbolizing purity and nobility.

Jeon (전, 田/全) – “Field” or “Complete”; linked to agricultural heritage.

Baek (백, 白) – “White” or “Pure”; associated with scholars and monks.

Seon (선, 宣/善) – “Declare” or “Good”; linked to officials and educators.

Hah (하, 河) – “River”; tied to water-based professions.

Sim (심, 沈) – “Deep” or “Serious”; connected to governance.

Eo (어, 魚) – “Fish”; symbolizing abundance and prosperity.

No (노, 盧) – “Cottage” or “Humble”; often tied to scholars.

Chun (천, 千) – “Thousand”; representing longevity and wealth.

Heo (허, 許) – “Permit” or “Approve”; linked to noble lineage.

Mun (문, 文) – “Literature” or “Culture”; associated with scholars.

Namgoong (남궁, 南宮) – “Southern Palace”; a rare and prestigious surname.

Bang (방, 方) – “Square” or “Direction”; linked to mathematicians and strategists.

Joo (주, 朱) – “Red” or “Surround”; connected to imperial families.

Kang (강, 康) – “Health” or “Peace”; a surname of long-standing noble families.

Jeong (정, 丁/鄭/程) – “Govern” or “Settle”; associated with royalty.

Sohn (손, 孫) – “Grandchild” or “Descendant”; symbolizing family lineage.

Jeon (전, 田/全) – “Field” or “Complete”; rooted in farming history.

Seok (석, 石) – “Stone”; representing strength and stability.

Geum (금, 金) – “Gold”; tied to prosperity and wealth.

Dokgo (독고, 獨孤) – “Solitary and Alone”; a rare and prestigious surname.

Gook (국, 國) – “Nation” or “Country”; linked to royal families.

Gyeon (견, 甄) – “To refine” or “Pottery”; linked to craftsmanship.

Bong (봉, 鳳) – “Phoenix”; symbolizing rebirth and power.

Hwan (환, 桓) – “Strong” or “Bright”; tied to ancient warriors.

Sa (사, 司/史) – “History” or “Control”; often linked to government officials.

Mok (목, 睦) – “Harmonious” or “Wood”; connected to nature and peace.

Cheong (청, 靑) – “Blue” or “Green”; symbolizing youth and purity.

Paeng (팽, 彭) – “Booming” or “Expand”; associated with growth and power.

Mo (모, 毛) – “Hair” or “Feather”; linked to nature-based traditions.

Bok (복, 卜/福) – “Divination” or “Blessing”; symbolizing good fortune.

Ryoo (류, 柳) – “Willow tree”; often found in scholarly lineages.

Tae (태, 太) – “Great” or “Big”; connected to powerful ancient families.

Gong (공) – Derived from hanja meaning “respectful” or “reverent,” often linked to scholarly clans.

Baek (백) – Means “white” or “pure,” symbolizing clarity and honesty.

Seok (석) – From the hanja for “stone,” representing firmness and endurance.

Huh (허) – Associated with openness and generosity, historically linked to noble families.

Nam (남) – Means “south,” often indicating ancestral geographic origin.

Cha (차) – Derived from hanja meaning “vehicle” or “order,” linked to discipline and structure.

Byeon (변) – Means “change” or “adaptation,” symbolizing transformation.

Do (도) – From “path” or “way,” associated with philosophy and moral conduct.

Min (민) – Means “people” or “citizens,” reflecting service and community.

Roh / Noh (노) – Derived from “old” or “venerable,” symbolizing age and wisdom.

Sim (심) – Means “heart” or “mind,” symbolizing sincerity and emotion.

Bae (배) – Derived from “pear,” associated with nourishment and abundance.

Eom (엄) – Means “strict” or “solemn,” reflecting authority and discipline.

Won (원) – Means “origin” or “beginning,” symbolizing foundation and roots.

Tak (탁) – Derived from clarity or brightness, associated with purity.

Gil (길) – Means “road” or “journey,” symbolizing life paths and destiny.

Ok (옥) – Means “jade,” associated with beauty, value, and virtue.

Yeo (여) – Means “remaining” or “reserved,” often tied to noble restraint.

Bang (방) – Means “room” or “direction,” linked to households and clans.

Cheon (천) – Means “heaven,” symbolizing divine connection and fate.

Ma (마) – Means “horse,” symbolizing strength, speed, and loyalty.

So (소) – Means “small” or “gentle,” associated with humility.

Pyo (표) – Derived from “sign” or “mark,” symbolizing distinction.

Je (제) – Means “ritual” or “offering,” linked to ancestral rites.

Yeom (염) – Derived from “salt,” associated with preservation and trade.

Myeong (명) – Means “bright” or “famous,” symbolizing reputation.

Bok (복) – Means “blessing” or “fortune,” associated with prosperity.

Gye (계) – Means “boundary” or “lineage,” tied to family divisions.

Hae (해) – Means “sun” or “sea,” symbolizing energy and vastness.

Bong (봉) – Means “peak” or “summit,” associated with elevation and honor.

Hwa (화) – Means “flower,” symbolizing beauty and refinement.

Yungh (영) – Means “shadow” or “spirit,” often linked to subtle strength.

Joo (주) – Means “pillar” or “support,” symbolizing reliability.

Seol (설) – Means “snow,” representing purity and calm.

Dongbang (동방) – Means “eastern direction,” associated with ancient aristocracy.

Sang (상) – Means “above” or “noble,” reflecting higher status.

Gwak (곽) – Means “outer wall” or “boundary,” symbolizing protection.

Mok (목) – Means “tree” or “wood,” associated with growth.

Yunseong (윤성) – Means “governing virtue,” tied to ethical leadership.

Ju (주) – Means “master” or “owner,” reflecting authority.

Hyeon (현) – Means “wise” or “virtuous,” associated with intelligence.

Pil (필) – Means “brush,” symbolizing scholarship and writing.

Jin (진) – Means “true” or “genuine,” associated with honesty.

Myungjin (명진) – Means “bright truth,” scholarly lineage.

Yul (율) – Means “law” or “discipline,” symbolizing order.

Seung (승) – Means “to rise” or “victory,” associated with success.

Ha (하) – Means “river” or “summer,” symbolizing flow and warmth.

Gyo (교) – Means “teach” or “instruction,” tied to educators.

Byeok (벽) – Means “jade wall,” symbolizing protection and beauty.

Jae (재) – Means “talent” or “ability,” associated with gifted individuals.

Hwi (휘) – Means “shine” or “radiance,” symbolizing brilliance.

Ye (예) – Means “courtesy” or “ritual,” tied to etiquette.

Seungje (승제) – Means “victorious system,” associated with leadership.

Gyeom (겸) – Means “humble,” symbolizing modesty.

Pung (풍) – Means “wind,” associated with movement and freedom.

On (온) – Means “warm,” symbolizing kindness.

Rim (림) – Variant meaning “forest edge,” linked to nature.

Hyeop (협) – Means “cooperation,” reflecting unity.

Dal (달) – Means “moon,” symbolizing calm and cycles.

San (산) – Means “mountain,” associated with strength and stability.

Seon (선) – Means “virtuous” or “good,” reflecting morality.

Yulmok (율목) – Means “lawful wood,” symbolic of structure.

Jong (종) – Means “bell” or “lineage,” associated with continuity.

Heon (헌) – Means “offering,” linked to sacrifice and service.

Jeongwon (정원) – Means “upright origin,” noble connotation.

Hwae (회) – Means “circle” or “gathering,” symbolizing unity.

U (우) – Means “rain,” associated with nourishment.

Seomun (서문) – Means “western gate,” geographic lineage.

Gyeong (경) – Means “respect” or “capital,” high-status meaning.

Dalma (달마) – Linked to spiritual enlightenment and Buddhism.

Bun (분) – Means “distinction,” scholarly origin.

Seungcheon (승천) – Means “ascending to heaven,” spiritual lineage.

Yeongdo (영도) – Means “spiritual path,” philosophical roots.

Garam (가람) – Means “river,” poetic and ancient.

Baedal (배달) – Linked to ancient Korean identity and origin myths.

Yuseok (유석) – Means “flowing stone,” balance of strength and movement.

Hyeol (혈) – Means “bloodline,” emphasizing ancestry.

Soryeong (소령) – Means “small command,” military origin.

Guk (국) – Means “nation,” associated with governance.

Hyo (효) – Means “filial piety,” core Confucian value.

Myeon (면) – Means “surface” or “face,” symbolic of identity.

Yeongcheon (영천) – Means “spiritual stream,” poetic lineage.

Haejin (해진) – Means “sea truth,” coastal origin.

Goryeo (고려) – Derived from the ancient Korean kingdom.

Dan (단) – Means “pure” or “single,” symbolic of simplicity.

Garamjin (가람진) – Means “river truth,” philosophical tone.

Yulgok (율곡) – Means “valley of law,” scholarly origin.

Seoryeon (서련) – Means “western lotus,” elegance and purity.

Munyeong (문영) – Means “literary glory,” academic lineage.

Bokseong (복성) – Means “fortunate star,” symbolic of luck.

Hanseok (한석) – Means “great stone,” strength and permanence.

Yongjin (용진) – Means “dragon truth,” power and wisdom.

Cheolsan (철산) – Means “iron mountain,” strength and resilience.

Gyeongrim (경림) – Means “respected forest,” noble calmness.

Dalwon (달원) – Means “moon origin,” poetic ancestry.

Jaeheon (재헌) – Means “offered talent,” refined meaning.

Hwayun (화윤) – Means “flowering governance,” elegance and leadership.

Miryang (밀양) – Derived from a historic Korean region.

Seongha (성하) – Means “under sacredness,” spiritual origin.

Yunseok (윤석) – Means “governing stone,” balanced authority and strength.