💡 GOOD TO KNOWKeep the family name first when the story is set in Korea.
Keep the family name first when the story is set in Korea.
Korean names are short and balanced. Most have three syllables: one for the family name and two for the given name, as in Kim Ji-woo or Lee Seo-jun. The family name always comes first. This Korean name generator uses real Korean surnames and real given names, written in the common English spelling with a hyphen between the two given-name syllables.
Use it for K-drama fan stories, webtoons, games or a novel set in Seoul. Choose the Korean male name generator setting or the female one, and get ten random Korean names every time you click.
How to use the korean name generator
- Pick Male, Female or Any in the Style box.
- Press Generate names for ten Korean names, family name first.
- Say each syllable clearly to hear the rhythm of the name.
- Copy your favourite or save it with the heart.
How Korean names are put together
A Korean name starts with the family name, then the given name. Nearly all family names are one syllable, such as Kim, Lee and Park. A small number have two syllables, like Namgung. Kim, Lee and Park alone cover close to half of all South Koreans, which is why you will meet so many of them in any story set in Korea.
Given names are usually two syllables, and each syllable often has its own Hanja (Chinese character) with a meaning. Many families once shared a generation syllable, so brothers or cousins of the same age all had one syllable in common, such as Min-jun and Min-ho. Korean women do not change their family name when they marry. Children usually take the father's surname.
Male and female name sounds
Some syllables lean male and some lean female, though plenty are shared. Male names often use jun, woo, hyun, ho, seok and soo. Female names often use yeon, eun, ji, hee, seo and won. Names like Ji-woo, Yeon-woo and Ha-jun show how the same syllables can cross over.
- Popular modern male names: Min-jun, Seo-jun, Do-yun, Ha-jun.
- Popular modern female names: Seo-yeon, Ha-eun, Ji-woo, Seo-ah.
- Older generation names: Chul-soo, Young-ho, Young-hee, Mi-kyung.
Spelling Korean names in English
Korean is written in Hangul, so English spellings vary. Lee is also spelled Yi or Rhee, Park is spelled Bak, and Jung is also Chung or Jeong. The government's official system writes Seo-yeon as Seoyeon, but many people keep their own family spelling. The hyphen in this tool helps you see the two syllables and say them clearly.
Example names and what makes them work
| Name | Why it works |
|---|---|
| Kim Min-jun | The most common surname with one of the most popular modern boy names. |
| Park Seo-yeon | A top girl name for years, soft and elegant with a classic surname. |
| Lee Do-yun | Fresh and modern, good for a young idol or student in a drama. |
| Choi Ha-eun | Ha-eun has a bright, gentle sound that suits a kind lead character. |
| Jung Chul-soo | An old-style name often used as a stand-in for 'any ordinary guy'. |
| Namgung Ji-woo | A rare two-syllable surname and a name used for both boys and girls. |
| Kang Tae-hyun | Strong sounds in both parts make this fit a tough detective or athlete. |
| Yoon Mi-kyung | A name popular for women born in the 1960s and 70s. Great for a mother role. |
Tips for picking the right name
- Keep the family name first when the story is set in Korea.
- Give siblings a shared syllable, like Ji-ho and Ji-min, to show a family link.
- Use names like Young-hee and Chul-soo for parents to show an older generation.
- Add -ssi after a full name for polite address, or -ah and -ya for close friends.
- Pick one spelling style for all your characters, with or without hyphens, and stay with it.
Common questions
Why are so many Koreans named Kim, Lee or Park?
Korea has a small number of family names, and these three grew huge over centuries. Clans with the same surname are told apart by their bon-gwan, the clan's ancestral home town, such as the Gimhae Kim or the Jeonju Lee.
Is the hyphen part of a Korean name?
No. In Hangul the given name is two syllables written together. The hyphen is just one way to show those syllables in English. Seo-yeon, Seoyeon and Seo Yeon are all used.
Can I use this as a Korean nickname generator?
Yes. Close friends often use the given name only and add -ah or -ya when calling out, so Ji-min becomes Ji-min-ah. Some people also double one syllable, like Min-min. Pick a given name you like and build from there.
Do Korean women change their surname after marriage?
No. Korean women keep their own family name for life. A woman named Park Seo-yeon is still Park Seo-yeon after she marries a man named Kim. Their children usually take the Kim surname.