600+ Best Korean Boy Names with Meanings: Complete List

The pressure is real. You are likely staring at a blank page right now, or maybe a messy note on your phone, trying to nail down the single word that will define your son’s entire life. It’s not just about finding something that sounds cool. You want history. You want depth. Finding the Best Korean Boy Names is a balancing act between tradition, sound, and that gut feeling that says, “Yes, this is him.”

I grew up in the States, and I watched my friends—guys named Min-su, Jung-ho, Tae-young—constantly have to break down their names for substitute teachers. It was annoying for them at the time. But as we got older, I saw something shift. They started owning those names. They started explaining the stories behind them. It wasn’t just a collection of letters; it was a legacy. Whether you have deep Korean roots or you just appreciate the culture, you are looking for a name that carries weight.

Also Read: Best Rare Girl Names with Meanings and Best Boy Dog Names with Meanings

Key Takeaways

• It’s All About the Hanja: The meaning changes completely based on which Chinese characters you pick for the birth certificate.
• The Middle Name Thing: We often use a “generational syllable” (Dolliemja) so brothers and cousins share a part of their name.
• Vibe Shift: The trend is moving away from aggressive, “strong” names toward softer, more melodic sounds.
• The Playground Test: Always check how the name sounds in English to save your kid from awkward nicknames later.

Why does the meaning change depending on how you write it?

You might hear a name like “Min-jun” and think, “Okay, that’s the one.” But you aren’t done yet. In English, we spell it one way. In Korean, that single sound is tied to Hanja—Chinese characters. This is where the magic happens.

I remember sitting in a coffee shop with my buddy Jun-ho a few years back. I made the mistake of assuming his name meant “handsome” because, let’s be honest, he’s a decent-looking guy. He just laughed at me. He grabbed a napkin and sketched out two complicated characters. “Look,” he said. “My ‘Jun’ means ‘talented’ or ‘king’. And ‘Ho’ means ‘heroic’. My grandfather didn’t care if I was pretty. He wanted me to lead.”

That stuck with me. A sound is just a sound until you give it a soul. “Min” can mean “quick,” “gentle,” or “people.” It’s a choose-your-own-adventure for your son’s identity. The list below gives you the most positive, common meanings, but you get the final say.

What names are actually trending in Korea right now?

Trends move fast. A decade ago, everyone wanted names that sounded tough. Now? It’s all about sophistication. If you want the Best Korean Boy Names that fit right in with the modern crowd in Seoul or Los Angeles, check these out. These are the heavy hitters dominating the charts.

Name	Hangul	The Vibe (Meaning)
Seo-jun	서준	Auspicious and handsome; a classic winner.
Do-hyun	도현	Virtuous and worthy; feels very grounded.
Eun-woo	은우	Graceful rain; sounds soft but strong.
Si-woo	시우	Divine intervention; spiritual and cool.
Ji-ho	지호	Wisdom and greatness; smart kid energy.
Ye-jun	예준	Artistic talent; for the creative soul.
Ha-joon	하준	Great and talented; universally liked.
Min-jun	민준	Quick, clever, talented; the perennial favorite.
Ju-won	주원	The original; distinct and God-given.
Yu-jun	유준	Courageous friend; warm and inviting.

Can we find a name that works easily in English?

This is the big question. My cousin called me last year in a panic. He wanted a name his Korean mom could pronounce properly, but one that wouldn’t look out of place on a resume in New York City. We call these “bridge names.” They walk the line between two worlds.

We eventually landed on “Ian.” In Korean, it means “ease” or “peace.” In English, it’s just Ian. It works everywhere. If you want that kind of flexibility, look at these.

• Eugene (Yoo-jin): Means precious. Sounds intellectual.
• Ian (I-an): Peace. Simple. Timeless.
• Leo (Ri-o): Clever. Sharp.
• Jay (Jae): Respect or Talent. Super easy to say.
• Kyle (Ka-il): Joyful.
• Noa (No-ah): Elegant and relaxed.
• Dan (Da-eun): Grace.
• Simon (Si-min): To listen.
• Dylan (Dil-lan): Sincere.
• Rian (Ri-an): Understanding.

Which names scream “strength” and “power”?

Sometimes you don’t want soft. You want a name that sounds like it can kick down a door. Historically, parents picked these names to act as a shield for their kids. If you want your boy to have that warrior spirit, you go for the hard consonants.

• Chul-soo: Iron and water. It’s old-school, like naming your kid “Walter,” but it’s tough.
• Kang-dae: Mighty.
• Seung-ho: The victorious hero.
• Yong-guk: Dragon of the nation.
• Jin-hyuk: A true treasure that shines.
• Hyun-woo: Mysterious and brave.
• Gun-woo: This one literally means building a strong universe.
• Sang-hoon: Achievement and rank.
• Tae-yong: The great dragon.
• Jun-seo: Handsome and auspicious.

Do you prefer names connected to nature?

I love these. Nature names strip away the pressure to be “successful” or “rich” and just focus on existing. They feel organic. In Korean philosophy, the elements—sky, water, pine trees—are symbols of longevity and resilience.

• Haneul: Sky. Pure Korean, no Chinese characters needed.
• Badar: Ocean.
• San: Mountain.
• Maru: Summit or top.
• Byul: Star.
• Gar-am: River.
• Sol: Pine tree. This implies staying green even in winter.
• Beom: Tiger.
• Taeyang: Sun.
• Eun: Silver or Grace (often linked to water).

The Mega List: A to D

Alright, let’s get into the weeds. You want options? Here is the deep dive. We are covering every base to ensure you find that hidden gem.

A

• Ah-in: Benevolence / Humanity.
• Ae-jung: Love and affection.
• An-woo: Peaceful rain.
• Ara: Be beautiful (Pure Korean).

B

• Baek-hyeon: Virtuous brother.
• Baek-ho: White tiger.
• Beom-soo: A model pattern; flowing like water.
• Bit-garam: Light river.
• Bon-hwa: Glorious.
• Bong-ju: Pillar; support.
• Byung-ho: Bright and great.
• Byung-chul: Grasping brilliance.
• Byung-woo: Soldier; protector.
• Byung-hoon: A soldier with merit.

C

• Chan: Bright; illuminating.
• Chan-woo: Bright universe.
• Chan-ho: Bright lake.
• Chan-young: Forever bright.
• Chang-min: A bright and quick gemstone.
• Chang-ho: Flourishing sky.
• Chang-hoon: Spear and shield; instruction.
• Chang-wook: Rising sun.
• Cheol: Iron; firm.
• Chin-hwa: Most wealthy.
• Chin-hae: Truth of the ocean.
• Chul-mo: Iron weapon.
• Chul-soon: Wise and gentle.

D

• Dae-hyun: Great and virtuous.
• Dae-sung: Great success.
• Dae-won: Great spring.
• Dae-jung: Great righteous.
• Dae-ho: Great personality.
• Dak-ho: Deep lake.
• Do-hun: Law and merit.
• Do-jin: Path of truth.
• Do-won: Circle of truth.
• Do-yoon: Path and permission.
• Dong-gun: East and sky.
• Dong-ha: East river.
• Dong-hoon: Eastern merit.
• Dong-hyun: Eastern virtue.
• Dong-il: East sun.
• Dong-jun: East talent.
• Dong-sun: Goodness of the east.
• Dong-wook: Eastern dawn.
• Dong-yul: Eastern passion.
• Du-ho: Head of goodness.

The Mega List: E to H

This section has some of the softest sounds. “Eun” and “Hyun” are incredibly popular right now because they roll off the tongue.

E

• Eun: Kindness; mercy; charity.
• Eun-ho: Graceful and great.
• Eun-il: Graceful sun.
• Eun-jun: Graceful and handsome.
• Eun-ki: Graceful foundation.
• Eun-kyul: Graceful texture/wave.
• Eun-seok: Graceful stone.
• Eun-sung: Graceful sincerity.
• Eui-chul: Righteous iron.
• Eui-jae: Righteous talent.

G

• Ga-ram: River.
• Geon: Respect; strong.
• Geon-woo: Strong universe.
• Gi-beom: Rising rule/law.
• Gi-cheol: Rising iron.
• Gi-do: Foundation of the way.
• Gi-tae: Foundation of greatness.
• Gok: Country; nation.
• Gong-myung: Honorary brightness.
• Goo-won: Salvation.
• Gwang: Light.
• Gwang-sun: Wide goodness.
• Gwang-ho: Wide sky.
• Gyu-min: Standard star; clever.
• Gyu-ong: Star of the palace.

H

• Ha-jun: Great and talented.
• Ha-myeong: Great brightness.
• Ha-neul: Sky.
• Ha-jin: Great treasure.
• Hae-il: Sun of the sea.
• Hae-jun: Sea and talented.
• Hae-won: Beautiful garden.
• Hae-seong: Sea star/comet.
• Han-bin: Great refinement.
• Han-jae: Great talent.
• Han-gyeol: Unwavering.
• Han-sol: One pine tree.
• Han-wool: Heavenly hedge.
• Hee-chul: Happiness and firmness.
• Hee-jun: Joyful and talented.
• Hee-soo: Joyful and excellent.
• Ho-jin: Fierce and real.
• Ho-seok: Strong stone.
• Ho-sung: Victory.
• Ho-won: Bright lake.
• Hoon: Teaching/Merit.
• Hwan: Shining; bright.
• Hwan-hee: Shining joy.
• Hye-sung: Comet; blessing.
• Hyun: Virtuous; worthy.
• Hyun-bin: Virtuous and refined.
• Hyun-ki: Wise foundation.
• Hyun-min: Wise and clever.
• Hyun-seok: Wise stone.
• Hyun-sik: Wise planting/root.
• Hyun-su: Wise longevity.
• Hyun-tae: Wise and great.
• Hyun-woo: Wise and universe.

Is a single syllable name better?

Sometimes less is more. While the two-syllable structure is standard, single-syllable names are punchy. They are memorable. They scream confidence because they don’t need to elaborate.

• Joon (Jun): Talented / Handsome.
• Jin: Truth / Treasure.
• Min: Quick / Clever.
• Hyun: Virtuous.
• Hoon: Teaching.
• Seok: Stone.
• Hwan: Bright.
• Gun: Strong.
• Kwang: Light.
• Chul: Iron.
• Won: First / Origin.
• Yoon: Permission / Consent.
• Kai: Triumph or open.

The Mega List: I to K

Here we find names that often bridge the gap between intelligence and kindness.

I

• Il: Sun / Day.
• Il-hwan: Daily brightness.
• Il-sung: Sun’s achievement.
• In: Benevolence.
• In-ho: Benevolent goodness.
• In-jun: Benevolent and talented.
• In-su: Preserving benevolence.
• In-wook: Rising benevolence.

J

• Jae: Respect / Talent / Wealth.
• Jae-beom: Talented model.
• Jae-bong: Phoenix talent.
• Jae-chang: Prosperous talent.
• Jae-geun: Root of talent.
• Jae-gyu: Star of talent.
• Jae-hee: Shining talent.
• Jae-ho: Great talent.
• Jae-hoon: Instructing talent.
• Jae-hwan: Shining talent.
• Jae-hyuk: Shining leather/reformation.
• Jae-hyun: Virtuous talent.
• Jae-in: Benevolent talent.
• Jae-joon: Talented and handsome.
• Jae-kyung: Respect and honor.
• Jae-min: Quick talent.
• Jae-seok: Rock of talent.
• Jae-sung: Sincere talent.
• Jae-won: Garden of talent.
• Jae-woo: House of talent.
• Jae-wook: Rising talent.
• Jae-yoon: Allowed talent.
• Jae-young: Forever talented.
• Jeong: Righteous / Silent / Chaste.
• Jeong-ho: Righteous lake.
• Jeong-hoon: Righteous deed.
• Jeong-hwan: Righteous shine.
• Jeong-hyuk: Righteous revolution.
• Jeong-hyun: Righteous virtue.
• Jeong-min: Righteous and clever.
• Jeong-nam: Righteous south.
• Jeong-seok: Righteous stone.
• Jeong-soo: Righteous water/shore.
• Jeong-woo: Righteous universe.
• Jeong-won: Righteous garden.
• Ji: Wisdom / Intellect / Earth.
• Ji-han: Wise leader.
• Ji-ho: Wisdom and greatness.
• Ji-hoon: Wise teaching.
• Ji-hu: Wisdom and thick/generous.
• Ji-hwan: Wisdom and brightness.
• Ji-min: Wisdom and cleverness.
• Ji-seok: Wisdom and stone.
• Ji-seong: Sincere wisdom.
• Ji-soo: Excellent wisdom.
• Ji-tae: Great wisdom.
• Ji-won: First wisdom.
• Ji-woong: Wise hero.
• Ji-yoo: Abundant wisdom.
• Ji-yoon: Permitted wisdom.
• Jin: Jewel / Truth / Ferry.
• Jin-ho: Precious lake/hero.
• Jin-hwan: Precious shine.
• Jin-hyuk: Precious light.
• Jin-ki: Precious foundation.
• Jin-kyu: Precious star.
• Jin-seo: Precious auspiciousness.
• Jin-seok: Precious stone.
• Jin-soo: Precious water.
• Jin-woo: Precious friend/universe.
• Jin-wook: Precious rising sun.
• Jin-young: Precious glory.
• Jong-dae: Great bell/lineage.
• Jong-hyun: Virtuous lineage.
• Jong-in: Benevolent lineage.
• Jong-min: Clever lineage.
• Jong-seok: Stone lineage.
• Jong-soo: Excellent lineage.
• Jong-up: Business/Karma of lineage.
• Jong-woo: Lineage friend.
• Joo-won: Circumference/Week and origin.
• Joon: Talented.
• Joon-ho: Talented hero.
• Joon-hyuk: Talented brilliance.
• Joon-ki: Talented foundation.
• Joon-seo: Talented and auspicious.
• Joon-sik: Talented planting.
• Joon-soo: Talented and excellent.
• Joon-tae: Talented and great.
• Joon-woo: Talented protector.
• Joon-young: Talented glory.
• Ju-hwan: Shining jewel.
• Jung-hwa: Righteous glory.
• Jun-seo: Handsome auspicious.

K

• Kang-min: Strong and clever.
• Kang-jun: Strong and talented.
• Ki-bum: Rising model.
• Ki-ha: Foundation of greatness.
• Ki-ho: Rising hero.
• Ki-hwan: Rising brightness.
• Ki-jung: Rising righteousness.
• Ki-nam: Rising south.
• Ki-tae: Rising greatness.
• Ki-woo: Rising house.
• Ki-young: Rising glory.
• Kyung: Respect / Scenery.
• Kyung-ho: Respect and greatness.
• Kyung-hwan: Shining respect.
• Kyung-jae: Respectable talent.
• Kyung-joon: Respectable and talented.
• Kyung-min: Respectable and quick.
• Kyung-soo: Respectable and excellent.
• Kyung-won: Respectable origin.

Do you want a scholarly name?

Korean culture has always put a huge premium on education. The “Seonbi” (virtuous scholar) was the ideal man for centuries. If you want your son to carry an air of intelligence, look for characters like “Min” (Clever) and “Ji” (Wisdom).

• Min-seok: Clever and firm like a stone.
• Ji-hoon: Teaching wisdom.
• Myung-jun: Bright and talented.
• Sang-ook: Always rising/morning.
• Seung-min: Winning intelligence.
• Young-jae: Prosperous talent/genius.
• Hyun-shik: Clever planting/roots.
• Seo-jin: Omen of wisdom.

The Mega List: L to P

M

• Man-seok: Ten thousand stones (wealth).
• Man-soo: Ten thousand lives (longevity).
• Min-beom: Clever model.
• Min-chul: Clever iron/firmness.
• Min-gi: Clever foundation.
• Min-guk: Clever nation.
• Min-ho: Clever and heroic.
• Min-hyuk: Clever and shining.
• Min-jae: Clever talent.
• Min-jun: Clever and handsome.
• Min-ki: Clever energy.
• Min-kyu: Clever star.
• Min-seong: Clever sincerity.
• Min-soo: Clever and excellent.
• Min-woo: Clever house/universe.
• Min-young: Clever glory.
• Moon-soo: Literary excellence.
• Mu-yeol: Bravery and fierceness.
• Myung: Bright / Clear.
• Myung-dae: Bright greatness.
• Myung-hoon: Bright merit.
• Myung-hwan: Bright shine.
• Myung-jae: Bright talent.
• Myung-jun: Bright and talented.
• Myung-ki: Bright foundation.
• Myung-soo: Bright water.
• Myung-woo: Bright universe.

N

• Na-moo: Tree.
• Nam-gil: Way of the south.
• Nam-il: Southern sun.
• Nam-jun: Southern talent.
• Nam-kyu: Southern star.
• No-ah: Rest/Comfort.

O

• Oh-seong: Five stars.
• On-nuri: Whole world.

P

• Pil-woo: Inevitable help.
• Pil-mo: Necessary plan.
• Po-gwang: Encompassing light.
• Pyo: Standard/Signal.

The Mega List: R to S

This section contains some of the biggest names in the “Best Korean Boy Names” category. You will recognize a lot of these from K-Dramas.

R

• Rae-won: Coming origin.
• Ra-on: Joyful.
• Ryung: Brightness.

S

• Sang: Mutual / Still / Always.
• Sang-chul: Eternal firmness.
• Sang-hoon: Eternal merit.
• Sang-hyuk: Eternal brilliance.
• Sang-hyun: Eternal virtue.
• Sang-jun: Eternal talent.
• Sang-min: Eternal cleverness.
• Sang-woo: Eternal friend.
• Sang-yoon: Eternal permission.
• Sang-young: Eternal glory.
• Se-hun: World merit.
• Se-jin: World jewel.
• Se-joon: World talent.
• Se-yoon: World permission.
• Seok: Stone.
• Seok-hoon: Stone merit.
• Seok-hwan: Stone brightness.
• Seok-jin: Stone jewel.
• Seok-jun: Stone talent.
• Seok-min: Stone cleverness.
• Seok-young: Stone glory.
• Seong: Success / Sincere.
• Seong-ha: Sincere summer/greatness.
• Seong-ho: Sincere hero.
• Seong-hoon: Sincere teaching.
• Seong-hwan: Sincere brightness.
• Seong-jin: Sincere truth.
• Seong-jun: Sincere talent.
• Seong-min: Sincere and clever.
• Seong-soo: Sincere water.
• Seong-woo: Sincere universe.
• Seong-yoon: Sincere permission.
• Seo-jun: Auspicious and handsome.
• Seung: Win / Rise.
• Seung-cheol: Winning iron.
• Seung-heon: Winning law.
• Seung-ho: Winning hero.
• Seung-hoon: Winning merit.
• Seung-hwan: Winning brightness.
• Seung-hyuk: Winning radiance.
• Seung-hyun: Winning virtue.
• Seung-jae: Winning talent.
• Seung-jo: Winning dynasty.
• Seung-jun: Winning talent.
• Seung-min: Winning cleverness.
• Seung-soo: Winning excellence.
• Seung-woo: Winning friend.
• Seung-yoon: Winning permission.
• Si-hoo: Beginning of thickness/generosity.
• Si-hyuk: Beginning of radiance.
• Si-hyun: Beginning of virtue.
• Si-on: Zion.
• Si-woo: Beginning rain.
• Si-yoon: Beginning permission.
• So-jun: Bright and talented.
• So-won: Wish.
• Sol: Pine tree.
• Soo: Water / Excellent / Long life.
• Soo-bin: Excellent refinement.
• Soo-ho: Excellent protector.
• Soo-hwan: Excellent brightness.
• Soo-hyuk: Excellent radiance.
• Soo-hyun: Excellent virtue.
• Soo-min: Excellent cleverness.
• Soo-young: Excellent glory.
• Su-ho: Guardian.
• Sung: Success.
• Sung-bin: Successful refinement.
• Sung-ho: Successful hero.
• Sung-hoon: Successful merit.
• Sung-jae: Successful talent.
• Sung-jin: Successful truth.
• Sung-joon: Successful and handsome.
• Sung-ki: Successful foundation.
• Sung-kyu: Successful star.
• Sung-min: Successful and clever.
• Sung-soo: Successful excellence.
• Sung-woo: Successful universe.
• Sung-yul: Successful passion.

The Mega List: T to Z

T

• Tae: Great / Big.
• Tae-eyang: Sun.
• Tae-hee: Great joy.
• Tae-ho: Great goodness.
• Tae-hoon: Great merit.
• Tae-hwan: Great brightness.
• Tae-hyuk: Great radiance.
• Tae-hyun: Great virtue.
• Tae-il: Great sun.
• Tae-in: Great benevolence.
• Tae-jun: Great talent.
• Tae-kyung: Great respect.
• Tae-min: Great cleverness.
• Tae-seok: Great stone.
• Tae-soo: Great excellence.
• Tae-sung: Great success.
• Tae-won: Great origin.
• Tae-woo: Great universe.
• Tae-yoon: Great permission.
• Tae-young: Great glory.

U

• Ui-jin: Righteous truth.
• Ui-seong: Righteous sincerity.
• Uk: Dawn / Rising sun.

W

• Wi-jun: Great talent.
• Won: First / Origin / Circle.
• Won-bin: First refinement.
• Won-chul: First firmness.
• Won-ho: First lake.
• Won-il: First day.
• Won-jae: First talent.
• Won-jun: First talent.
• Won-ki: First foundation.
• Won-shik: First planting.
• Won-woo: First universe.
• Won-young: First glory.
• Woo: House / Universe / Rain / Help.
• Woo-bin: Universe refinement.
• Woo-chul: Universe firmness.
• Woo-hyuk: Universe radiance.
• Woo-hyun: Universe virtue.
• Woo-in: Universe benevolence.
• Woo-jae: Universe talent.
• Woo-jin: Universe treasure.
• Woo-jun: Universe talent.
• Woo-ki: Universe foundation.
• Woo-min: Universe cleverness.
• Woo-seok: Universe stone.
• Woo-sik: Universe planting.
• Woo-sung: Universe success.
• Woo-young: Universe glory.
• Wook: Rising sun.

Y

• Ye-jun: Artistic talent.
• Ye-sung: Artistic success.
• Ye-dam: Artistic story.
• Yeon: Lotus / Connect.
• Yeon-ho: Connecting goodness.
• Yeon-jae: Connecting talent.
• Yeon-jun: Connecting talent.
• Yeon-seok: Connecting stone.
• Yeon-soo: Connecting water.
• Yeon-woo: Connecting universe.
• Yeon-wook: Connecting rising sun.
• Yong: Dragon.
• Yong-bin: Dragon refinement.
• Yong-chul: Dragon firmness.
• Yong-gun: Dragon sky.
• Yong-ha: Dragon summer.
• Yong-ho: Dragon hero.
• Yong-hoon: Dragon merit.
• Yong-hwan: Dragon brightness.
• Yong-jae: Dragon talent.
• Yong-jun: Dragon talent.
• Yong-ki: Dragon foundation.
• Yong-nam: Dragon south.
• Yong-seok: Dragon stone.
• Yong-soo: Dragon excellence.
• Yong-wook: Dragon rising sun.
• Yoo: Abundant / Rich.
• Yoo-bin: Abundant refinement.
• Yoo-chan: Abundant brightness.
• Yoo-geon: Abundant respect.
• Yoo-jun: Abundant talent.
• Yoo-min: Abundant cleverness.
• Yoo-seong: Abundant sincerity.
• Yoo-shin: Abundant belief.
• Yoon: Consenting / Permission.
• Yoon-gi: Shining shine.
• Yoon-ho: Consenting goodness.
• Yoon-hyuk: Consenting radiance.
• Yoon-jae: Consenting talent.
• Yoon-jun: Consenting talent.
• Yoon-ki: Consenting foundation.
• Yoon-seok: Consenting stone.
• Yoon-soo: Consenting water.
• Yoon-sung: Consenting success.
• Yoon-woo: Consenting universe.
• Young: Flower / Brave / Prosperous / Forever.
• Young-bin: Prosperous refinement.
• Young-chul: Prosperous firmness.
• Young-gi: Prosperous foundation.
• Young-ho: Prosperous hero.
• Young-hoon: Prosperous merit.
• Young-hwan: Prosperous brightness.
• Young-hyuk: Prosperous radiance.
• Young-jae: Prosperous talent.
• Young-jin: Prosperous truth.
• Young-jun: Prosperous talent.
• Young-ki: Prosperous foundation.
• Young-kwang: Glory.
• Young-min: Prosperous cleverness.
• Young-mo: Prosperous plan.
• Young-nam: Prosperous south.
• Young-seok: Prosperous stone.
• Young-sik: Prosperous planting.
• Young-soo: Prosperous excellence.
• Young-tae: Prosperous greatness.
• Young-wook: Prosperous rising sun.
• Yul: Rhythm / Law.

How do you actually know when you’ve found “The One”?

The volume of choices here is paralyzing. I get it. When my friends were naming their second son, they printed out a list just like this one. They taped it to the fridge. For two weeks, they just stared at it while making coffee. They crossed off names that were too hard to pronounce. They circled names that made them smile.

Ultimately, the “Best Korean Boy Name” isn’t the one that tops the charts in Seoul. It’s the one that speaks to your family’s narrative. Maybe you pick “Ji-ho” because you value wisdom above all else. Maybe you choose “Jun” because it bridges your life in America with your roots in Korea.

Take your time. Say the names out loud. Shout them across the playground in your head. When you land on the right one, you will know. It will click. And that little boy will grow into the definition you give him.

For more information on the structure of Hangeul and how these names are formed, I highly recommend checking out this resource from Indiana University on the Korean Alphabet.

Good luck. You’ve got this.

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