400+ Best Korean Girl Names with Meanings: Top Pick List

Picking a name feels a lot like hunting for a specific snowflake in a blizzard. You want something unique, beautiful, and distinct, but the sheer volume of choices can bury you. If you’ve turned your gaze toward the Korean peninsula, you’re in for a wild ride. Korean names aren’t just labels you slap on a birth certificate; they are poetic hopes and architectural wishes built from syllables.

I still remember sitting in a bustling cafe in the Hongdae district of Seoul a few years back. I was nursing an iced Americano that was frankly too cold for the November chill. A young mother at the table next to me called out to her toddler, “Gaeul-ah!” The kid turned around, grinning with a face full of pastry crumbs. I asked my buddy, a Seoul native, what the name meant. “Autumn,” he said without looking up from his phone. “She was probably born in the fall.” It hit me then—the immediacy of it. There wasn’t any abstraction. The kid was the season.

Whether you’re honoring your heritage, diving deep into the culture, or just hunting for a name that sounds melodic, I’ve got you covered. We are going to dig into the Best Korean Girl Names with Meanings, break down the Hanja (Chinese characters) that give them soul, and look at modern trends that give them swagger.

Also Read: Best Angel Names and Best Cute Pet Names

Key Takeaways

• Structure is Everything: You usually get three syllables total—one for the family name, two for the given name.
• Meaning Shifts: A sound like “Ji” isn’t static. It can mean wisdom, earth, or will, depending entirely on the character you pick.
• New vs. Old: “Pure Korean” names (like Ha-neul for Sky) are fighting for space alongside traditional Sino-Korean ones.
• Pronunciation Matters: Nailing the vowel sounds (like the difference between ‘o’ and ‘eo’) keeps you from accidentally saying something rude.
• Global Vibes: Names like Yuna or Leah are skyrocketing because they work effortlessly in English and Korean.

Why Do Korean Girl Names Feel So Different?

You’ve probably noticed that Korean names don’t operate like Western ones. It isn’t just the exotic sounds; it’s the blueprint behind them. In the States, you might pick “Elizabeth” because it sounds nice or belonged to your grandma. In Korea, the process is a mix of acoustic beauty, rigid family tradition, and sometimes a visit to a fortune teller.

How Do Hanja and Hangul Change the Game?

This is the part that usually trips people up. Korean uses two writing systems. Hangul is the alphabet—the circles and lines you see on street signs. Hanja refers to the Chinese characters that carry the actual definition.

Think of it this way: Two girls can both be named “Ji-woo.” You write it exactly the same way in Hangul (지우). But one might use the Hanja for “Wisdom and Universe,” while the other uses “Will and Rain.” Same sound, totally different soul. When you browse the lists below, remember you’re often picking the sound first. You can assign the specific meaning later by choosing the right Hanja.

What’s the Deal with the Dollimja Tradition?

Ever notice how Korean siblings often share a syllable? My friend Min-ho has a sister named Min-ji. That shared “Min” isn’t their parents running out of ideas; it’s the Dollimja (generation name).

Families often have a specific syllable assigned to each generation, predetermined by the clan lineage ages ago. It connects cousins and siblings, weaving them into the family tree like leaves on the same branch. Modern parents in Seoul or Busan are getting a bit looser with this, often opting for individualistic names, but the tradition still holds a lot of weight for families who value ancestry.

Top 50 Most Popular Korean Girl Names for 2024-2025

If you want a name that fits right in with the current vibe in Seoul, start here. These names are dominating the birth registries. You’ll notice they tend to be soft, vowel-heavy, and gentle. The days of “Ja” endings (like the Japanese “Ko”) are long gone; today’s parents want flow.

1. Seo-ah (서아): Auspicious and beautiful. This one has been a heavyweight champion for years.
2. Yi-seo (이서): Dewy and auspicious.
3. Ha-yoon (하윤): Great summer or sunlight.
4. Ji-an (지안): Wisdom and peace.
5. Ji-a (지아): Wisdom and beautiful.
6. A-rin (아린): Beautiful jade or elegant.
7. Ha-eun (하은): God’s grace. You see this a lot in Christian families.
8. Soo-ah (수아): Water and beautiful; pure elegance.
9. Ae-ri (애리): Gain, advantage, or merit.
10. Seo-yoon (서윤): Omen of felicity and softness.
11. Na-eun (나은): Better than others; abundance.
12. Yu-na (유나): To possess and to be graceful.
13. Si-ah (시아): Excellent and elegant.
14. Ji-woo (지우): Will, purpose, and universe.
15. Chae-won (채원): Gathering of origin/beginning.
16. Ye-na (예나): Talent and elegance.
17. Da-eun (다은): Much kindness or charity.
18. Su-min (수민): Outstanding and clever.
19. Seo-hyeon (서현): Auspicious and virtuous.
20. Ji-yoo (지유): Wisdom and abundance.
21. Ye-rin (예린): Talent and clear water.
22. Min-seo (민서): Gentle and auspicious.
23. Ha-rin (하린): Great and clear.
24. Do-yun (도윤): Path and truth. Totally unisex.
25. Eun-woo (은우): Grace and house/universe.
26. Si-eun (시은): Time and kindness.
27. Ye-won (예원): Artistic garden.
28. Ji-soo (지수): Will and excellence.
29. Yu-ju (유주): Flowing pearl.
30. Chae-a (채아): Colorful and elegant.
31. Yoon-ah (윤아): Shining and elegant.
32. So-yoon (소윤): Bright and soft.
33. Da-in (다인): Many people or great kindness.
34. Ro-a (로아): Wise and beautiful.
35. Ah-in (아인): Human benevolence.
36. Joo-ah (주아): Jewel and elegance.
37. Ha-on (하온): Great warmth.
38. Seol-ah (설아): Snow and elegance.
39. Ria (리아): Benefit and elegance.
40. Jae-i (재이): Talent and benefit.
41. So-eul (소을): Bright and honest.
42. Bom (봄): Spring. Pure Korean, no Hanja needed.
43. Sa-rang (사랑): Love. Another pure Korean classic.
44. Yeo-won (여원): Beautiful woman.
45. Hye-won (혜원): Graceful garden.
46. Min-ji (민지): Clever and wise.
47. Ji-hye (지혜): Wisdom.
48. Eun-ji (은지): Kindness and intellect.
49. So-hui (소희): Bright and splendid.
50. Kyung-min (경민): Honored and clever.

Can You Hear the Wind and Water in These Nature Names?

Koreans have a serious love affair with the natural world. While plenty of names use Hanja to represent elements (like “Hwa” for flower), there is a killer subset of “Pure Korean” names. These are native words used as names, skipping the Chinese characters entirely. They feel organic and earthy.

Which Names Represent Flowers and Trees?

Want her name to bloom? These are your best bets.

• Na-ri (나리): Lily flower.
• Jang-mi (장미): Rose.
• Sol (솔): Pine tree. It represents resilience because pines stay green even in the dead of winter.
• Nan-cho (난초): Orchid.
• Cho-rong (초롱): Lantern. It has a flower-like connotation of brightness.
• Yeon (연): Lotus flower.
• Eun-byul (은별): Silver star.
• Sora (소라): Conch shell.
• Bora (보라): Purple.
• Jin-dal-lae (진달래): Azalea.
• Mae-hwa (매화): Plum blossom.
• Mog-ran (목란): Magnolia.
• Su-ryeon (수련): Water lily.
• Hwa-young (화영): Beautiful flower.
• Yeong-ja (영자): Flower child. This one is pretty traditional.
• I-seul (이슬): Dew.
• San (산): Mountain.
• Deul (들): Field.
• Podo (포도): Grape. Rare, but undeniably cute.
• Aeng-du (앵두): Cherry.
• Beo-dul (버들): Willow.
• Dan-pung (단풍): Maple or Autumn foliage.
• Dallae (달래): Wild chive. A spring herb.
• Ggot (꽃): Flower.
• Min-deul-lae (민들레): Dandelion.
• Ba-ram (바람): Wind.
• Gu-reum (구름): Cloud.
• No-eul (노을): Sunset.
• Ha-neul (하늘): Sky.
• Byeol (별): Star.

Which Names Capture the Seasons and Elements?

• Ga-eul (가을): Autumn.
• Yeo-reum (여름): Summer.
• Bom (봄): Spring.
• Gyeo-ul (겨울): Winter.
• Bi (비): Rain.
• Bada (바다): Sea or Ocean.
• Saem (샘): Spring or Fountain.
• Gang (강): River.
• Hae (해): Sun.
• Dal (달): Moon.
• Miri-nae (미리내): Milky Way. This is pure Korean.
• Eun-ha (은하): Milky Way. This is Sino-Korean.
• Saet-byeol (샛별): Morning star or Venus.
• Han-gyeol (한결): Unchanging.
• Mool-gyeol (물결): Wave.
• Heuk (흙): Earth or Soil. Pretty rare.
• Taeyang (태양): Sun.
• Woo-joo (우주): Universe.
• Seol (설): Snow.
• Nuri (누리): World.

Is Less More with Single Syllable Names?

Two syllables might be the standard, but single-syllable names pack a punch. They sound sophisticated and sharp. Plus, they are memorable. Often, parents pair these with the family name to create a two-syllable full name (like Kim Jin).

• Jin (진): Truth or Jewel.
• Min (민): Clever or Sharp.
• Hye (혜): Wisdom or Grace.
• Rin (린): Clear crystal.
• Sol (솔): Pine.
• Bom (봄): Spring.
• Yoon (윤): Shine.
• Seo (서): Auspicious.
• Ji (지): Wisdom.
• Hyun (현): Virtuous.
• Kyung (경): Honor.
• Soo (수): Water or Excellent.
• Young (영): Flower or Prosperity.
• Ran (란): Orchid.
• Sook (숙): Pure.
• Ja (자): Child.
• Hee (희): Joy.
• Ae (애): Love.
• Eun (은): Silver or Grace.
• Jung (정): Righteous.
• Sun (선): Goodness.
• Moon (문): Writing or Literature.
• Hwa (화): Flower.
• Myung (명): Bright.
• In (인): Benevolence.
• Bi (비): Rain.
• Gyeol (결): Texture or Wave.
• San (산): Mountain.
• Joo (주): Jewel or Week.
• Dan (단): Sweet or Red.

What Do You Wish for Her? (Virtue Names)

We all use names as a blessing. We want to imprint a destiny on the kid. This is where the Saju masters come in. I once tagged along with a friend to a naming center in Gangnam. The master demanded the exact birth time to calculate the baby’s elemental deficiencies. “She lacks water,” he told us, recommending names with the “Soo” or “Ha” characters to balance her destiny. It was a fascinating mix of philosophy and aesthetics.

Here are names broken down by the vibe they bring.

Names Representing Wisdom and Intelligence

• Ji-hye (지혜): Wisdom.
• Seul-gi (슬기): Wisdom.
• Min-ji (민지): Clever intellect.
• Hyun-joo (현주): Virtuous jewel.
• Ji-won (지원): Intellectual first.
• Ji-young (지영): Perception and flower.
• Hye-jin (혜진): Intelligent and truth.
• So-min (소민): Clever and bright.
• Myung-eun (명은): Bright grace.
• Ji-eun (지은): Wisdom and kindness.
• Su-bin (수빈): Outstanding and refined.
• Ji-yoon (지윤): Wisdom and soft.
• Hye-ri (혜리): Wise profit.
• Seo-hyeon (서현): Auspicious wisdom.
• Kyung-ha (경하): Celebrated wisdom.
• Young-jae (영재): Prosperous talent.
• Min-a (민아): Clever and elegant.
• Ji-sun (지선): Wise goodness.
• Hye-su (혜수): Graceful knowledge.
• Eun-kyung (은경): Graceful honor.
• Ji-hyun (지현): Wise and virtuous.
• Min-young (민영): Clever and prosperous.
• Chae-yeon (채연): Distinguished talent.
• Hye-won (혜원): Wise garden.
• So-yi (소이): Bright and wise.

Names Representing Love and Kindness

• Sa-rang (사랑): Love.
• Da-som (다솜): Love (Ancient Korean).
• Eun-ji (은지): Kindness and earth.
• Ae-jung (애정): Affection.
• Hye-in (혜인): Grace and benevolence.
• In-hye (인혜): Benevolence.
• Da-eun (다은): Much charity.
• Eun-ae (은애): Grace with love.
• Sun-hi (선희): Goodness and joy.
• Mi-sun (미선): Beautiful goodness.
• Eun-hye (은혜): Grace.
• Ye-eun (예은): Art and kindness.
• Na-rae (나래): Wing (symbolizing protection).
• Sung-mi (성미): Honest beauty.
• Jung-hwa (정화): Righteous flower.
• Hyo-jin (효진): Filial and precious.
• Eun-sook (은숙): Kindness and purity.
• Da-jung (다정): Friendly/Kind.
• In-sook (인숙): Benevolent and pure.
• Kyung-soon (경순): Honored and gentle.
• Bo-ra (보라): Purple (also means “to look at” lovingly).
• Yeon-ah (연아): Lotus and grace.
• Eun-seo (은서): Graceful text.
• Si-yeon (시연): Beautiful kindness.
• Ha-eun (하은): God’s grace.

Names Representing Beauty and Grace

• Mi-young (미영): Eternal beauty.
• Ye-jin (예진): Art and truth.
• So-hee (소희): White/Bright and joy.
• Mi-ran (미란): Beautiful orchid.
• Hyo-ri (효리): Efficacious benefit. Lee Hyori made this one famous.
• Ah-ra (아라): Be beautiful.
• Ga-in (가인): Beautiful person.
• Na-yeon (나연): Elegant.
• Chae-young (채영): Color and glory.
• Ye-rim (예림): Artistic forest.
• Mi-kyung (미경): Beautiful view.
• Su-ji (수지): Elegant and wisdom.
• Joo-hyun (주현): Jewel-like virtue.
• Mi-so (미소): Smile.
• Arum (아름): Beauty.
• Bo-mi (보미): Treasure beauty.
• Gyuri (규리): Star-like.
• Mina (미나): Beautiful Na.
• Nara (나라): Country.
• Se-ryeon (세련): Refined/Sophisticated.
• Yoo-ri (유리): Glass/Crystal.
• Hee-jin (희진): Precious pleasure.
• Yeon-joo (연주): Lotus pearl.
• Jin-joo (진주): Pearl.
• Eun-chae (은채): Grace and radiance.

Which Style Fits Your Family: Modern or Traditional?

Naming trends swing back and forth like a pendulum. Right now, there is a massive push toward names that are easy for foreigners to pronounce. This “globalization” is practical, but plenty of families still cling to the heavy, resonant names of the past.

What are the Trendy “English-Friendly” Korean Names?

These names pull double duty. They sound perfectly Korean but work as English names too, which saves your kid from having a separate “Starbucks name.”

• Eugene (유진 – Yu-jin): Precious and truth.
• Hannah (한나 – Ha-na): One.
• Sarah (사라 – Sa-ra): Pure Korean for “live”.
• Leah (리아 – Ri-a): Benefit.
• Sua (수아 – Soo-ah): Water elegance.
• Mina (미나): Beautiful.
• Jenna (제나 – Je-na): “It is me” (Archaic).
• Yuna (유나): Grace.
• Ella (엘라): Not traditional, but phonetically possible.
• Irene (이린 – I-rin): Peace.
• Jin (진): Truth.
• Sun (선): Goodness.
• Moon (문): Letter/Writing.
• Sumi (수미): Excellent beauty.
• Nara (나라): Country.
• Yeri (예리): Sharp/Smart.
• Suri (수리): Eagle.
• Jay (재이 – Jae-i): Talent.
• Roa (로아): Wise beautiful.
• Dara (다라): All.
• Kira (키라): Sparkle.
• Anna (안나): Peace/Grace.
• Miso (미소): Smile.
• Yuri (유리): Glass.
• Zion (시온 – Si-on): Biblical and modern.

Which Timeless Classics Are Making a Comeback?

Just like “Evelyn” and “Hazel” are cool again in the West, these Korean classics are seeing a resurgence. They are shedding their “grandma name” reputation for a vintage cool.

• Young-hee (영희): Eternal pleasure.
• Sun-ja (순자): Gentle child.
• Jung-sook (정숙): Righteous and pure.
• Mi-ja (미자): Beautiful child.
• Kyung-hee (경희): Honored pleasure.
• Myung-sook (명숙): Bright and pure.
• Sook-ja (숙자): Pure child.
• Young-soon (영순): Eternal gentleness.
• Jung-hee (정희): Righteous pleasure.
• Ok-ja (옥자): Jade child.
• Hwa-ja (화자): Flower child.
• Kum-ja (금자): Gold child.
• Bok-ja (복자): Blessed child.
• Mal-soon (말순): Last gentleness (historically given to the last daughter).
• Gui-ja (귀자): Noble child.
• Chun-ja (춘자): Spring child.
• Hae-ja (해자): Sea child.
• Boon-yi (분이): Fragrant/Divider.
• Sun-yi (순이): Gentle one.
• Jom-sun (점순): Mole/Spot gentleness (very old school).

Who Are the Icons? (K-Pop and K-Drama Inspired)

You can’t really talk about Korean names without tipping your hat to the cultural juggernaut that is Hallyu. I usually tell people not to name a kid just because of a celebrity, but let’s be real—these names became iconic for a reason. They sound fantastic.

• Ji-soo (지수): BLACKPINK’s Jisoo.
• Jen-nie (제니): BLACKPINK.
• Chae-young (채영): Rosé’s real name.
• Li-sa (리사): Lalisa.
• Ji-eun (지은): IU’s real name.
• Tae-yeon (태연): Girls’ Generation.
• Yoon-a (윤아): Girls’ Generation.
• Seul-gi (슬기): Red Velvet.
• I-rene (아이린): Red Velvet.
• Ye-ji (예지): ITZY.
• Ryu-jin (류진): ITZY.
• Lia (리아): ITZY.
• Cha-ryeong (채령): ITZY.
• Yu-na (유나): ITZY.
• Sa-na (사나): TWICE.
• Mo-mo (모모): TWICE.
• Ji-hyo (지효): TWICE.
• Da-hyun (다현): TWICE.
• Na-yeon (나연): TWICE.
• Jeong-yeon (정연): TWICE.
• Tzuyu (쯔위): TWICE.
• Min-ji (민지): NewJeans.
• Han-ni (하니): NewJeans.
• Hae-rin (해린): NewJeans.
• Hye-in (혜인): NewJeans.
• Da-niel (다니엘): NewJeans.
• So-yeon (소연): (G)I-DLE.
• Mi-yeon (미연): (G)I-DLE.
• Shu-hua (슈화): (G)I-DLE.
• Yu-qi (우기): (G)I-DLE.
• Won-young (원영): IVE.
• Yu-jin (유진): IVE.
• Gae-ul (가을): IVE.
• Rei (레이): IVE.
• Liz (리즈): IVE.
• Leeseo (이서): IVE.
• Ka-rina (카리나): Aespa.
• Win-ter (윈터): Aespa.
• Ning-ning (닝닝): Aespa.
• Gi-selle (지젤): Aespa.
• Bo-A (보아): The legend herself.
• Hyo-rin (효린): SISTAR.
• Sun-mi (선미): Wonder Girls/Solo.
• Hyun-a (현아): Solo.
• Chung-ha (청하): Solo.
• So-mi (소미): Solo.
• Hwa-sa (화사): Mamamoo.
• Solar (솔라): Mamamoo.
• Moon-byul (문별): Mamamoo.
• Whee-in (휘인): Mamamoo.

Looking for One in a Million? (Unique and Rare Names)

If “Seo-ah” feels a bit too common for your taste, you might want to dig into the “Unique” category. These often involve rare Hanja combinations or lesser-used native words.

• Ra-on (라온): Joyful.
• Ga-on (가온): Center of the world.
• No-a (노아): Lucidity/Peace.
• Ru-ri (루리): To achieve/accomplish.
• Da-on (다온): All good things coming.
• Tor-i (토리): Acorn. Small and cute.
• Ha-rang (하랑): High together.
• Ye-green (예그린): Affectionate relationship.
• Sae-ron (새론): New.
• Ah-ran (아란): Beautiful egg/orchid.
• Bi-ju (비주): Unique jewel.
• Chae-il (채일): Sunshade/Color day.
• Do-dam (도담): Healthy and strong.
• Eun-saem (은샘): Silver spring.
• Ha-neul-byeol (하늘별): Sky star.
• Ip-sae (잎새): Leaf.
• Jae-in (재인): Talented person.
• Kyul (결): Wave/Flow.
• Ma-eum (마음): Heart/Mind.
• Na-bom (나봄): Spring born.
• O-reum (오름): Rise/Ascent.
• Pada (파다): Ocean.
• Reo (려): Beauty.
• Sa-eun (사은): Gratitude.
• Tae-yi (태이): Great joy.
• Ui-ju (의주): Righteous state.
• Vee (비): Rain.
• Woor-i (우리): Us/We.
• Xo (소): Bright.
• Yae-ji (예지): Art wisdom.
• Zae (재): Talent.
• Ara-yoon (아라윤): Sea shine.
• Beol (벌): Bee.
• Cheong-a (청아): Clear and elegant.
• Da-sol (다솔): All pine trees.
• E-den (이든): Good/Benevolent.
• Fana (파나): Green onion. (Warning: this one is rare and kind of a joke).
• Ga-ram (가람): River.
• Hae-sol (해솔): Sun pine.
• In-a (인아): Benevolent elegance.
• Je-yi (제이): My/Talent.
• Keu-rim (크림): Cream.
• Lu-na (루나): Moon.
• Mo-a (모아): Gather.
• Na-moo (나무): Tree.
• On (온): Whole/All.
• Pur-eum (푸름): Blue/Green.
• Q-ri (큐리): Curiosity.
• Ra-mi (라미): Shell/Beauty.
• Se-na (세나): New beauty.

Are You Saying it Right? (Pronunciation Guide)

I have a confession. When I first moved to Korea, I met a woman named Hye-won. For weeks, I called her “Hay-juan,” rhyming it with the Spanish “Juan.” Every time I said it, she gave me this polite, tight-lipped smile. It wasn’t until a dinner party where I said it loudly that a mutual friend whispered, “Dude. It’s Hye-won. Like ‘H-yeh’ and ‘Won’ like you ‘won’ the lottery.” I wanted to melt into the floorboards.

Pronunciation is the bridge between a word and a name. Respect the name by learning the sounds.

1. Eu (으): This is the hardest sound for Westerners. It is not “ew.” Pull the corners of your mouth back like you’re grimacing, and make a grunt from your throat.
2. Eo (어): It is not “ee-oh.” It is an open “uh” sound, like the ‘o’ in “song” or “cup.”
3. Ae (애): Sounds like the ‘a’ in “cat.”
4. Si (시): Often sounds more like “Shi.” “Si-ah” is pronounced “Shi-ah.”

For a deeper dive into the specific characters and how they form names, check out this solid guide on Korean Naming Customs. It breaks down the history of the generation names and the legal limits on name lengths in South Korea.

Conclusion

Choosing a name is one of the first gifts you give a child, and it sticks. With Korean names, you are offering more than a tag; you are offering a backstory. Whether you go with a nature-inspired “Haneul” to tell her to reach for the sky, or a grounded “Ji-an” to wish her a life of peace, the depth of the Korean language has your back.

Just remember: lists like this are a jump-off point. The “Best” name is the one that clicks with your personal story. Does it sound right when you say it out loud? Does it look strong on paper? If the answer is yes, then stop looking. You found it.

Happy naming.

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Šinko Jurica

With a passion for community and storytelling, Šinko Jurica creates content that resonates deeply with readers. From faith and family to hobbies and humor, he covers the moments that define us, offering practical advice and encouragement for every season of life.

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