Top 50 Korean Boy Names and Their Meanings

As you get ready to welcome a new baby boy into your family, one of the most memorable tasks is settling on the perfect name. If you’re looking for Korean boy names, we’ve compiled a list of the most popular, cute, unique, powerful, and beautiful names with their meanings. In addition to names, we’ve included insights about Korean baby naming traditions and modern approaches, so take your pick from the list below!

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Popular Korean Boy Names

For some families, the best names are popular and trendy monikers that top the charts, which is the case for the following Korean boy names. Choosing a popular name means your child will fit well into their generation. 

1. Do-yun. This name combines do, meaning "path, road, way," with yun, which means “allow, consent.” Other hanja combinations exist for this name, but these are the most common meanings.

2. Eun-woo. This is cute option for a Korean boys’ name, as eun means “kindness, mercy, charity.” In this name’s case, woo is actually an alternative for u, which has a number of meanings: “house,” “universe,” “help,” “protect,” “bless,” etc. 

3. Ha-joon. It’s no wonder Ha-joon is a popular Korean boys’ name, as it has a unique yet adorable meaning. Ha means “summer,” while joon means “talented” or “handsome.”

4. Ji-ho. If you’re looking for a strong name for your baby boy, consider the Korean moniker Ji-ho. This hanja combination can mean “wisdom, knowledge, intelligence” or “tiger, brave, fierce.”

5. Ju-won. A popular choice, Ju-won combines hanja to create a unique meaning. Ju is an alternative for u, which can mean “circumference.” When combined with won, which means “first, origin,” you’ve got yourself a strong name, perhaps the Earth’s origin?

6. Min-jun. Here’s a good example of pronunciation changing meaning. Min has two possible hanja combinations with similar pronunciations, one meaning “quick, clever, sharp” and the other meaning “gentle, affable.” Jun, like joon above, means “talented, handsome.” So, your little Korean boy has a name that means “clever, talented,” “sharp, handsome,” or any other combination!

7. Seo-jun. Like min above, seo also has two hanja options. One means “felicitous,” “omen,” or “auspicious,” and the other means “to open up, unfold” or comfortable, easy.” And, as mentioned before, jun means “talented” or “handsome.”

8. Si-woo. If you’re looking for a cute Korean boys’ name or one with a poetic meaning, Si-woo is a good option. Si means “begin, start,” and when in combination, woo (u) takes on the meaning of “divine intervention,” “protection,” or “rain.” 

9. Ye-jun. Artistic or art-loving families might be attracted to the popular Korean boys’ name Ye-jun. Ye means “art, talent, craft,” and jun means “talented, handsome.”

10. Yu-jun. For a strong or powerful Korean boys’ name, consider Yu-jun. Yu has unknown origins, but when combined with jun, you have a couple of options. The pronunciation jūn means “king, ruler,” and jun means “talented, handsome.”

11. Beom Seok. Create a unique baby name by combining Beom and Seok. When alone, they mean “model or pattern” and “rock, stone” respectively. Together, they create a beautiful Korean boys’ name that means “pattern of a rock.”

12. Bong. If you like mythology or are looking for an uncommon yet strong Korean boys’ name, choose Bong. This name refers to a “mythical bird,” most likely the phoenix, which famously rose from the ashes.

13. Dong. Place names are quite common and typically refer to towns or cities. But to get a little creative, consider Dong, which means “east” and can refer to the rising sun.

14. Duck-Hwan. For a unique Korean boys’ name with a powerful meaning, you’ve got Duck-Hwan. When combined, the hanja create the meaning “the return of the virtue.” 

15. Hak-Kun. If you hope to raise a bookworm or love to read, the name Hak-Kun could be a great choice. In combination, it means “one with literary roots.”

16. In-Su. Your little genius baby might need a name that fits his future intellect! In-Su is a beautiful Korean boys’ name with the unique meaning of “preserving wisdom.”

17. Joon Woo. If you’re reading this list in full, you could probably piece together the meaning of this name. Joon (jun) can mean “handsome” or “talented,” and woo, “divine intervention,” “protection,” or “rain.”

18. Man-Shik. For a Korean boys’ name that will give your little guy a sense of commitment and dedication, consider Man-Shik, which means “deeply rooted into something.”

19. Sang-Ook. Since parents tend to choose Korean names that give their children a positive future, start your boy off on the right path with the name Sang-Ook, which means “one who is always well and healthy.”

20. Su-Jin. Another unique Korean boys’ name that promises a healthy future, Su-Jin combines su (meaning “long life, lifespan”) with jin (meaning “precious, rare”).

21. Baek Hyeon. Get the tissues ready! If you hope to have two children, you might love the adorable and tear-worthy name Baek Hyeon. Baek means “older brother,” and Hyeon means “worthy and virtuous.” Surely your little guy will be a worthy older brother whenever his sibling comes along!

22. Chung Ae. Give your baby boy a cute Korean name showing how important he is and how much he’s adored. Chung Ae means “noble and love.”

23. Dae-Ho. Are you hoping to raise a son who is charming and endearing? Give him the name Dae-ho, which means “great” and “personality,” so your boy will surely have a great personality!

24. Du-Ho. Set your son up for a positive and prosperous future with Du-Ho, which combines the hanja meanings of “head” and “goodness.” Your baby boy will always have goodness in his mind and heart. 

25. Duri. In the Gyeongsang dialect, from a region in eastern South Korea, the name Duri adorably means “two.” This could be an excellent choice for your second child. Or, if you’re looking for twin names, consider a cute pair like Duri and Soo-ji; or follow the numerical theme with the name Sam, which means “three.”

26. Eun. Eun is one of those names with several potential meanings. A cute option, this Korean boys’ name can mean “kindness, mercy, charity.”

27. Kwang. For a fun twist on a cute name, consider Kwang for your little Korean boy. The name simply means “wild.” 

28. Ryung. Your baby boy’s arrival will certainly brighten your life, so why not choose the name Ryung, which means “brightness?” This is a good example of a new, modern trend, which uses monosyllabic names instead of traditional hanja combinations.

29. So. If you like the idea of last names as first names, you have a pretty adorable option. So was the family name of the traditional emperors in the Cholla South province and means “smile.”

30. Yeong. This cute Korean boys’ name uses the hanja combination of yeong, which can mean “flower,” “petal,” “brave,” or “hero.” Yeong originated from the fifteenth-century scientist Jang Yeong-sil (Jang is the surname). 

31. Bitgaram. Give your baby boy the cool Korean name Bitgaram, which means “light river.”

32. Chin-Hae. For a cool yet poetic nature-inspired name, you’ve got Chin-Hae, which means “truth” or “depth of the ocean.”

33. Chin-Mae. Another name that means “truth,” Chin-Mae can also mean “a person who always speaks the truth,” which sounds pretty cool to us!

34. Duck-Young. The cool Korean boys’ name Duck-Young combines hanja to mean “virtue” and “unchanging, everlasting,” which is an excellent omen for your little guy!

35. Hoon. Hoon is a name that means “teaching.” It’d be pretty cool if everyone looked to your boy for help and guidance!

36. Yong-sun. If you’re looking for Korean boy names meaning dragon, this is an excellent option. It means “the dragon in the first position,” so perhaps the strongest dragon, making it quite a powerful moniker.

37. Dae. Your baby is undoubtedly the most important thing in your life, and the name Dae has a meaning to reflect that: “the great one” and “shining.”

38. Haneul. This is a strong choice and a beautiful Korean boys’ name. Haneul comes with the powerful meaning of “heaven, sky.”

39. Il. This simple Korean moniker means “superiority,” so it’s a good option for a powerful baby boys’ name. 

40. Kang-Dae. For a good choice and a tough moniker that gets straight to the point, consider this Korean boys’ name. Kang-Dae combines hanja to create the meaning “one who is mighty and strong.”

41. Man-Young. What’s the most powerful Korean boys’ name? Man-Young could be it! This name means “ten thousand years of prosperity,” an incredible wish for your son!

42. Seung. You can have your pick of meanings for this strong Korean boys’ name. Seung could mean “rise, ascent,” “victory, excel,” or “inherit.” All of these evoke a sense of strength. 

43. Won-Shik. Won-Shik has a beautiful meaning. Won means “head” or “root,” and shik can mean “family.” So, you have a name that means “the head or root of the family.”

44. Yun-Seo. Yun means “to govern,” and seo, when combined with won, means “series, sequence.” If you hope for your son to grow up to be a leader, the name Yun-Seo could do the job. 

45. Dong-Yul. Dong means “east,” as in the rising sun, and yul means “having passion,” creating a truly beautiful moniker. 

46. Do Hyun. Beautiful and prosperous, Do Hyun is a name that will set your son up for success. Do means “path,” and hyun means “virtuous.”

47. In. The simple and traditional Korean boys’ name In means “humanity or wise,” which is a pretty yet stately moniker for your little one. Does it get more beautiful than thinking about others?

48. Kyong. There are quite a few good Korean boy names that mean something like “brightness,” making for a very pretty and beautiful moniker. 

49. Tae. This traditional Korean boys’ name gets right to the point! Short and sweet, Tae means “one who is a great person.”

50. Yong. You can choose between two meanings for the name Yong: “brave” or “perpetual, eternal.” 

Still Exploring? Discover More Baby Names, Themes, and Inspiration

Still searching for the one? Dive into even more baby name ideas by theme, meaning, origin, style, popularity, and beyond. This is where you’ll discover fresh inspiration from every corner of our baby name lists.

1. Gyatso. Gyatso is a captivating Tibetan name that translates to “ocean.” This name holds deep cultural significance, most famously associated with the current Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso.

2. Amandus. Meaning “lovable” or “worthy of love,” this name comes from the Latin word amanda, which itself became a popular girls’ name. Amandus was borne by both fifth- and seventh-century saints.

3. Buddy. Meaning “friend” in English, Buddy is the name of the friendly elf in the movie Elf. A perfect fit for a baby boy who exudes joy and may become a great companion to others in the future.

4. Oliver. Oliver has been a popular name for quite some time, and it simply means “olive tree.” As nature is often associated with the country, it could be a cute name for your little boy.

5. Florian. Meaning “flowering” in Latin, this floral boys’ name is popular in many European countries.

The Bottom Line

Korean names for boys offer a vast list of hanja combinations, allowing you to create a moniker with unique, cute, strong, or beautiful meanings. In Korean culture, it’s all about the meaning, with many parents choosing a name that may give their little guy a good, prosperous future. Our list has many Korean boy names and several common or popular hanja combinations, but you can mix and match any way you please!

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