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Korean boy names: 110+ Korean male names with hanja and meanings

118 names · Updated · By The Nomezo Editors · Save to Pinterest

Popular Korean boy names include Doyun, Ijun and Siu, the top three boys' names of 2025 in Namechart's ranking of Supreme Court birth registrations, as reported by the Korea Times. Most Korean male names join two syllables written in hanja (Chinese characters), so the meaning depends on the characters a family chooses.

Below are 110+ Korean names for boys and men in Hangul and Revised Romanization, South Korea's official spelling system. Each note shows a common hanja choice and its meaning, or marks the name as a native Korean word with no hanja. Sections cover 2025 favorites, names built on jun (talented), names meaning wise, strong or bright, native Korean names, classic male names, top names for men born from 1940 to 1990, unisex names and one-syllable names.

Can't decide? Shuffle 6 random picks

  • Mireu (미르)

    Dragon, an old native Korean word; no hanja

  • Jeonghun (정훈)

    正 upright + 勳 merit; Sino-Korean. Say jung-hoon

  • Mingyu (민규)

    敏 clever + 奎 literary star; top 10 in 1990

  • Minjae (민재)

    敏 clever + 才 talent; Sino-Korean. Say min-jeh

  • Hyeok (혁)

    赫 bright, glorious; Sino-Korean. Say hyuk

  • Sangmin (상민)

    尙 esteem + 敏 clever; Sino-Korean. Say sahng-min

Want endless ideas? Try the baby name generator and generate new names in one click.

Korean boy names with jun (俊, talented)

俊 (jun) means talented or outstanding. Meaning depends on the hanja (Chinese characters) a family chooses; each note shows a common choice.

  1. Minjun (민준): 敏 clever + 俊 talented; Sino-Korean. Say min-joon
  2. Yejun (예준): 藝 art + 俊 talented; Sino-Korean. Say yeh-joon
  3. Yujun (유준): 裕 abundant + 俊 talented; Sino-Korean. Say yoo-joon
  4. Junseo (준서): 俊 talented + 瑞 auspicious; Sino-Korean. Say joon-suh
  5. Junu (준우): 俊 talented + 宇 universe; Sino-Korean. Say joon-woo
  6. Junho (준호): 俊 talented + 浩 vast; Sino-Korean. Say joon-ho
  7. Junyeong (준영): 俊 talented + 英 hero; Sino-Korean. Say joon-young
  8. Hyeonjun (현준): 賢 virtuous + 俊 talented; Sino-Korean. Say hyun-joon
  9. Dojun (도준): 道 way + 俊 talented; Sino-Korean. Say doh-joon
  10. Jaejun (재준): 才 talent + 俊 outstanding; Sino-Korean. Say jeh-joon
  11. Seungjun (승준): 承 carry on + 俊 talented; Sino-Korean
  12. Junhyeok (준혁): 俊 talented + 赫 glorious; Sino-Korean. Say joon-hyuk

Korean boy names that mean wise or virtuous

Names using 智 (ji, wisdom), 賢 (hyeon, virtuous) and 敏 (min, clever). Meaning depends on the hanja (Chinese characters) a family chooses; each note shows a common choice.

  1. Jihun (지훈): 智 wisdom + 勳 merit; Sino-Korean. Say jee-hoon
  2. Jiho (지호): 智 wisdom + 浩 vast; Sino-Korean. Say jee-ho
  3. Jihu (지후): 智 wisdom + 厚 generous; Sino-Korean. Say jee-hoo
  4. Jihwan (지환): 智 wisdom + 煥 shining; Sino-Korean. Say jee-hwahn
  5. Hyeonu (현우): 賢 virtuous + 宇 universe; Sino-Korean. Say hyun-woo
  6. Seunghyeon (승현): 承 carry on + 賢 virtuous; Sino-Korean
  7. Taehyeon (태현): 泰 great + 賢 virtuous; Sino-Korean. Say teh-hyun
  8. Jaehyeon (재현): 才 talent + 賢 virtuous; Sino-Korean. Say jeh-hyun
  9. Donghyeon (동현): 東 east + 賢 virtuous; Sino-Korean. Say dong-hyun
  10. Daehyeon (대현): 大 great + 賢 virtuous; Sino-Korean. Say deh-hyun
  11. Seongmin (성민): 成 accomplish + 敏 clever; Sino-Korean. Say sung-min
  12. Minjae (민재): 敏 clever + 才 talent; Sino-Korean. Say min-jeh
  13. Minho (민호): 敏 clever + 浩 vast; Sino-Korean. Say min-ho

Korean boy names that mean strong or great

Names using 健 (geon, strong), 勇 (yong, brave), 勝 (seung, victory) and 泰 (tae, great). Meaning depends on the hanja (Chinese characters) a family chooses; each note shows a common choice.

  1. Geonu (건우): 健 strong, healthy + 宇 universe; Sino-Korean. Say gun-woo
  2. Seungu (승우): 勝 victory + 宇 universe; Sino-Korean. Say sung-woo
  3. Yongjun (용준): 勇 brave + 俊 talented; Sino-Korean. Say yong-joon
  4. Daeho (대호): 大 great + 浩 vast; Sino-Korean. Say deh-ho
  5. Taeho (태호): 泰 great + 浩 vast; Sino-Korean. Say teh-ho
  6. Taemin (태민): 泰 great + 敏 clever; Sino-Korean. Say teh-min
  7. Geonho (건호): 健 strong + 浩 vast; Sino-Korean. Say gun-ho
  8. Seongho (성호): 成 accomplish + 浩 vast; Sino-Korean. Say sung-ho
  9. Jinho (진호): 眞 true + 浩 vast; Sino-Korean. Say jin-ho
  10. Seokjin (석진): 碩 great + 珍 treasure; Sino-Korean. Say suk-jin
  11. Suho (수호): 守護, guardian; a Sino-Korean word. Say soo-ho
  12. Taesan (태산): 泰山, Mount Tai, a byword for something huge
  13. Taeyang (태양): 太陽, the sun; a Sino-Korean word. Say teh-yahng

Korean boy names that mean bright or shining

Names using 光 (gwang, light), 燦 (chan, brilliant), 煥 (hwan, shining) and 赫 (hyeok, glorious). Meaning depends on the hanja (Chinese characters) a family chooses; each note shows a common choice.

  1. Donguk (동욱): 東 east + 旭 rising sun; Sino-Korean. Say dong-ook
  2. Chanyeol (찬열): 燦 brilliant + 烈 ardent; Sino-Korean. Say chahn-yul
  3. Chanu (찬우): 燦 brilliant + 宇 universe; Sino-Korean. Say chahn-woo
  4. Gwangmin (광민): 光 light + 敏 clever; Sino-Korean. Say gwahng-min
  5. Seungchan (승찬): 承 carry on + 燦 brilliant; Sino-Korean
  6. Minhyeok (민혁): 敏 clever + 赫 glorious; Sino-Korean. Say min-hyuk
  7. Jaehwan (재환): 才 talent + 煥 shining; Sino-Korean. Say jeh-hwahn
  8. Hyeonseok (현석): 炫 shining + 碩 great; Sino-Korean. Say hyun-suk
  9. Gwanghyeon (광현): 光 light + 賢 virtuous; Sino-Korean. Say gwahng-hyun
  10. Huijun (희준): 熙 bright + 俊 talented; Sino-Korean. Often spelled Heejun

Native Korean boy names

Pure Korean words (sunuri-mal) with no hanja, so the meaning never changes.

  1. Hangyeol (한결): Steady and unchanging, from hangyeolgatda; native Korean
  2. Himchan (힘찬): Powerful, full of strength; native Korean, no hanja
  3. Uram (우람): Grand and imposing; native Korean, no hanja. Say oo-rahm
  4. Mireu (미르): Dragon, an old native Korean word; no hanja
  5. Nuri (누리): The world, an old native Korean word; no hanja
  6. Maru (마루): Ridge or summit, as in sanmaru; native Korean
  7. Hanbit (한빛): Great light; native Korean, no hanja. Say hahn-bit
  8. Hanbyeol (한별): Great star; native Korean, no hanja. Say hahn-byul
  9. Bada (바다): Sea; native Korean word, no hanja. Say bah-dah
  10. Gyeore (겨레): Nation, one's own people; native Korean. Say gyuh-reh
  11. Haneul (하늘): Sky; native Korean word, no hanja
  12. Garam (가람): River, an old native Korean word; no hanja

Classic Korean male names

Names familiar from fathers and grandfathers. Meaning depends on the hanja (Chinese characters) a family chooses; each note shows a common choice.

  1. Cheolsu (철수): 哲 wise + 秀 outstanding; classic textbook name. Often spelled Chulsoo
  2. Yeongsu (영수): 永 eternal + 壽 long life; Sino-Korean. Say young-soo
  3. Yeongho (영호): 英 hero + 浩 vast; Sino-Korean. Say young-ho
  4. Gwangsu (광수): 光 light + 秀 outstanding; Sino-Korean. Say gwahng-soo
  5. Byeongcheol (병철): 炳 bright + 哲 wise; Sino-Korean. Say byung-chul
  6. Yeongcheol (영철): 永 eternal + 哲 wise; Sino-Korean. Say young-chul
  7. Jeonghun (정훈): 正 upright + 勳 merit; Sino-Korean. Say jung-hoon
  8. Seonghun (성훈): 成 accomplish + 勳 merit; Sino-Korean. Say sung-hoon
  9. Sanghun (상훈): 尙 esteem + 勳 merit; Sino-Korean. Say sahng-hoon
  10. Dongsu (동수): 東 east + 秀 outstanding; Sino-Korean. Say dong-soo
  11. Myeongsu (명수): 明 bright + 秀 outstanding; Sino-Korean. Say myung-soo
  12. Gildong (길동): 吉 lucky + 童 child; given name of folk hero Hong
  13. Sangmin (상민): 尙 esteem + 敏 clever; Sino-Korean. Say sahng-min
  14. Jeongho (정호): 正 upright + 浩 vast; Sino-Korean. Say jung-ho

Korean names for men: top boys' names from 1940 to 1990

Each was a top 10 boys' name in South Korea in a year from 1940 to 1990, in government figures compiled on Wikipedia, so they suit grown men today. Meaning depends on the hanja (Chinese characters) a family chooses; each note shows a common choice.

  1. Seonghyeon (성현): 成 accomplish + 賢 virtuous; fourth among boys in 1990
  2. Minsu (민수): 敏 clever + 秀 outstanding; fifth among boys in 1990
  3. Mingyu (민규): 敏 clever + 奎 literary star; top 10 in 1990
  4. Seongjin (성진): 成 accomplish + 眞 true; third among boys in 1970
  5. Seongsu (성수): 成 accomplish + 秀 outstanding; third among boys in 1950
  6. Yeongjin (영진): 英 hero + 眞 true; top 10 in 1960 and 1970
  7. Yeongsik (영식): 英 hero + 植 planted; top 10 in 1940 and 1950
  8. Yeonghwan (영환): 永 eternal + 煥 shining; top 10 in 1950
  9. Sangcheol (상철): 尙 esteem + 哲 wise; top 10 in 1950. Say sahng-chul
  10. Jongsu (종수): 宗 ancestral + 秀 outstanding; second among boys in 1940
  11. Byeongho (병호): 炳 bright + 浩 vast; third among boys in 1940
  12. Yeonggi (영기): 永 eternal + 基 foundation; fourth among boys in 1940
  13. Gyeongsu (경수): 慶 celebration + 秀 outstanding; top 10 in 1940
  14. Seonggi (성기): 成 accomplish + 基 foundation; top 10 in 1940

Unisex Korean names

Names Korean families give to both boys and girls. Meaning depends on the hanja (Chinese characters) a family chooses; each note shows a common choice.

  1. Jimin (지민): 智 wisdom + 敏 clever; Sino-Korean, for girls and boys
  2. Yujin (유진): 有 having + 珍 treasure; Sino-Korean. Say yoo-jin
  3. Jiwon (지원): 智 wisdom + 媛 beauty, or 志遠 far-reaching will
  4. Suhyeon (수현): 秀 outstanding + 賢 virtuous; Sino-Korean. Say soo-hyun
  5. Seojin (서진): 瑞 auspicious + 珍 treasure; Sino-Korean. Say suh-jin
  6. Yeonu (연우): 延 long-lasting + 祐 blessing; Sino-Korean. Say yun-woo
  7. Jiu (지우): 智 wisdom + 祐 blessing; Sino-Korean. Say jee-woo
  8. Eunsu (은수): 恩 grace + 秀 outstanding; Sino-Korean
  9. Sejin (세진): 世 world + 珍 treasure; Sino-Korean. Say seh-jin
  10. Jeongmin (정민): 正 upright + 敏 clever; Sino-Korean. Say jung-min

One-syllable Korean boy names

Most Korean given names have two syllables, but some boys get a single-syllable name. Meaning depends on the hanja (Chinese characters) a family chooses; each note shows a common choice.

  1. Jun (준): 俊 talented, outstanding; Sino-Korean. Say joon
  2. Hun (훈): 勳 merit, achievement; Sino-Korean. Say hoon
  3. Hyeok (혁): 赫 bright, glorious; Sino-Korean. Say hyuk
  4. Jin (진): 眞 true, genuine; a Sino-Korean syllable
  5. Min (민): 敏 clever, quick; a Sino-Korean syllable
  6. Hwan (환): 煥 shining, brilliant; Sino-Korean. Say hwahn
  7. Chan (찬): 燦 brilliant, dazzling; Sino-Korean. Say chahn
  8. Gyu (규): 奎 a star linked to literature; Sino-Korean. Say gyoo
  9. Uk (욱): 旭 the rising sun; Sino-Korean. Say ook
  10. Hyeon (현): 賢 virtuous, wise; Sino-Korean. Say hyun

How to pick the right name

Choose the hanja, not just the sound

Minjun can be written 敏俊 (clever, talented) or 旼俊 (gentle, talented). Korean names must use hanja from the official list approved for personal names, so settle on the meaning first.

Consider a native Korean name

Names like Hangyeol (steady), Himchan (powerful) and Mireu (dragon) are pure Korean words with no hanja, so the meaning is fixed and easy to explain.

Say it with the surname

Korean full names put the surname first, as in Park Doyun. Most given names have two syllables, so say the full three-syllable name aloud before you decide.

Pick an English spelling

Revised Romanization gives Junho and Seonghun, but many families write Joonho or Sunghoon. Choose one spelling and use it on every document.

Korean boy names: 118 ideas from Nomezo

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Frequently asked questions

What is the most popular Korean boy name?

Doyun ranked first among boys' names in 2025 in Namechart's ranking based on Supreme Court birth registration data, as reported by the Korea Times. Ijun and Siu came second and third.

What Korean boy names mean strong?

Names with 健 (geon, strong), 勇 (yong, brave) or 勝 (seung, victory) carry that meaning, such as Geonu, Yongjun and Seungu. Himchan is a native Korean name meaning powerful.

What is a good Korean name for a man?

Names that topped the charts when today's men were born sound natural for an adult, such as Jihun, Seongmin, Junho and Yeongsu. Jihun was the top boys' name in South Korea in both 1980 and 1990.

Are there Korean names without hanja?

Yes. Native Korean names such as Hangyeol (steady), Mireu (dragon) and Haneul (sky) come from pure Korean words and have no hanja.

How are Korean names spelled in English?

This page uses Revised Romanization, South Korea's official system since 2000. Older or personal spellings differ, so Seonghun is often Sunghoon and Cheolsu is often Chulsoo.

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