Creating a Korean Name

Creating a Korean name, whether for yourself as a learner or for a character, is a meaningful process that connects you more deeply with the language and culture. This guide provides essential phrases and insights for discussing, choosing, and understanding Korean names, focusing on the expression ‘한글 이름 만들기’ (han-geul i-reum man-deul-gi). Learn how to ask for recommendations, discuss meanings, and select the perfect Korean name.

Core Expression

• Expression: 한글 이름 만들기
  Pronunciation: han-geul i-reum man-deul-gi
  Meaning: Making a Korean name (lit. Making a Hangeul name)

Basic Phrases for Name Creation

• Expression: 제 한국 이름을 만들고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: je han-guk i-reum-eul man-deul-go sip-eo-yo.
  Meaning: I want to make my Korean name.

• Expression: 이름 추천해 주세요.
  Pronunciation: i-reum chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please recommend a name for me.

• Expression: 어떤 이름이 좋을까요?
  Pronunciation: eo-tteon i-reum-i jo-eul-kka-yo?
  Meaning: What kind of name would be good?

• Expression: 좋은 이름 없을까요?
  Pronunciation: jo-eun i-reum eop-seul-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Aren’t there any good names? / Do you know any good names?

• Expression: 제 이름은 어떻게 지을까요?
  Pronunciation: je i-reum-eun eo-tteo-ke ji-eul-kka-yo?
  Meaning: How should I make/decide on my name?

• Expression: 한국 이름이 필요해요.
  Pronunciation: han-guk i-reum-i pil-yo-hae-yo.
  Meaning: I need a Korean name.

• Expression: 예쁜 이름으로 하고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: ye-ppeun i-reum-eu-ro ha-go sip-eo-yo.
  Meaning: I want to have a pretty name.

• Expression: 멋진 이름으로 하고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: meot-jin i-reum-eu-ro ha-go sip-eo-yo.
  Meaning: I want to have a cool name.

• Expression: 특별한 이름으로 하고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: teuk-byeol-han i-reum-eu-ro ha-go sip-eo-yo.
  Meaning: I want to have a special name.

• Expression: 발음하기 쉬운 이름이 좋아요.
  Pronunciation: ba-reum-ha-gi swi-un i-reum-i jo-a-yo.
  Meaning: I prefer a name that is easy to pronounce.

• Expression: 흔하지 않은 이름이면 좋겠어요.
  Pronunciation: heun-ha-ji a-neun i-reum-i-myeon jo-ke-sseo-yo.
  Meaning: I hope it’s an uncommon name.

• Expression: 요즘 인기 있는 이름은 뭐예요?
  Pronunciation: yo-jeum in-gi it-neun i-reum-eun mwo-ye-yo?
  Meaning: What are the popular names these days?

Choosing Name Elements

• Expression: 이 글자는 무슨 뜻이에요?
  Pronunciation: i geul-ja-neun mu-seun tteu-si-e-yo?
  Meaning: What does this character/syllable mean?

• Expression: 좋은 의미가 있는 이름을 원해요.
  Pronunciation: jo-eun ui-mi-ga it-neun i-reum-eul won-hae-yo.
  Meaning: I want a name with a good meaning.

• Expression: 성은 어떻게 정해요?
  Pronunciation: seong-eun eo-tteo-ke jeong-hae-yo?
  Meaning: How do you decide on the family name?

• Expression: 가장 흔한 성씨는 뭐예요?
  Pronunciation: ga-jang heun-han seong-ssi-neun mwo-ye-yo?
  Meaning: What is the most common family name?

• Expression: 제 본명과 비슷한 발음으로 하고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: je bon-myeong-gwa bi-seu-tan ba-reum-eu-ro ha-go sip-eo-yo.
  Meaning: I want it to have a similar pronunciation to my original name.

• Expression: 이름에 이 한자를 써도 되나요?
  Pronunciation: i-reum-e i han-ja-reul sseo-do doe-na-yo?
  Meaning: Can I use this Hanja (Chinese character) in the name?

• Expression: 이름은 보통 몇 글자로 만들어요?
  Pronunciation: i-reum-eun bo-tong myeot geul-ja-ro man-deur-eo-yo?
  Meaning: How many syllables are usually used to make a name?

• Expression: 두 글자 이름으로 할까요?
  Pronunciation: du geul-ja i-reum-eu-ro hal-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Shall I make it a two-syllable name?

• Expression: 외자 이름도 괜찮아요?
  Pronunciation: oe-ja i-reum-do gwaen-chan-a-yo?
  Meaning: Are single-syllable given names okay too?

• Expression: 이 소리가 들어간 이름이 좋아요.
  Pronunciation: i so-ri-ga deu-reo-gan i-reum-i jo-a-yo.
  Meaning: I like names that include this sound.

• Expression: 부르기 좋은 이름이면 좋겠어요.
  Pronunciation: bu-reu-gi jo-eun i-reum-i-myeon jo-ke-sseo-yo.
  Meaning: I hope it’s a name that sounds nice when called.

• Expression: 성하고 이름이 잘 어울려야 해요.
  Pronunciation: seong-ha-go i-reum-i jal eo-ul-lyeo-ya hae-yo.
  Meaning: The family name and given name should match well.

Discussing Name Meanings

• Expression: 이 이름은 어떤 의미를 가지고 있나요?
  Pronunciation: i i-reum-eun eo-tteon ui-mi-reul ga-ji-go in-na-yo?
  Meaning: What kind of meaning does this name have?

• Expression: 이름의 뜻이 중요해요.
  Pronunciation: i-reum-ui tteu-si jung-yo-hae-yo.
  Meaning: The meaning of the name is important.

• Expression: 한자 뜻을 설명해 주세요.
  Pronunciation: han-ja tteu-seul seol-myeong-hae ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please explain the meaning of the Hanja.

• Expression: 이 이름에는 좋은 뜻이 담겨 있어요.
  Pronunciation: i i-reum-e-neun jo-eun tteu-si dam-gyeo i-sseo-yo.
  Meaning: This name contains a good meaning.

• Expression: 지혜를 뜻하는 글자를 넣고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: ji-hye-reul tteu-ta-neun geul-ja-reul neo-ko sip-eo-yo.
  Meaning: I want to include a character that means wisdom.

• Expression: 아름다움을 의미하는 이름은 어때요?
  Pronunciation: a-reum-da-um-eul ui-mi-ha-neun i-reum-eun eo-ttae-yo?
  Meaning: How about a name that signifies beauty?

• Expression: 건강하게 자라라는 뜻이에요.
  Pronunciation: geon-gang-ha-ge ja-ra-ra-neun tteu-si-e-yo.
  Meaning: It means ‘grow up healthy’.

• Expression: 밝고 긍정적인 의미가 좋아요.
  Pronunciation: bak-go geung-jeong-jeo-gin ui-mi-ga jo-a-yo.
  Meaning: I like bright and positive meanings.

• Expression: 미래에 대한 희망을 담고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: mi-rae-e dae-han hui-mang-eul dam-go sip-eo-yo.
  Meaning: I want it to contain hope for the future.

• Expression: 자연과 관련된 이름도 좋아요.
  Pronunciation: ja-yeon-gwa gwan-lyeon-doen i-reum-do jo-a-yo.
  Meaning: Names related to nature are also good.

• Expression: 순우리말 이름도 예뻐요.
  Pronunciation: sun-u-ri-mal i-reum-do ye-ppeo-yo.
  Meaning: Pure Korean names (without Hanja) are also pretty.

• Expression: 이름에 담긴 뜻을 소중히 여겨요.
  Pronunciation: i-reum-e dam-gin tteu-seul so-jung-hi yeo-gyeo-yo.
  Meaning: I cherish the meaning contained in the name.

Asking for Opinions on a Name

• Expression: 이 이름 어때요?
  Pronunciation: i i-reum eo-ttae-yo?
  Meaning: How about this name? / What do you think of this name?

• Expression: 제 한국 이름으로 괜찮을까요?
  Pronunciation: je han-guk i-reum-eu-ro gwaen-chan-eul-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Would this be okay as my Korean name?

• Expression: 이 이름 발음하기 어렵지 않아요?
  Pronunciation: i i-reum ba-reum-ha-gi eo-ryeop-ji a-na-yo?
  Meaning: Isn’t this name difficult to pronounce?

• Expression: 너무 흔한 이름인가요?
  Pronunciation: neo-mu heun-han i-reum-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Is this name too common?

• Expression: 좀 어색하게 들리나요?
  Pronunciation: jom eo-sae-ka-ge deul-li-na-yo?
  Meaning: Does it sound a bit awkward?

• Expression: 다른 이름 추천해 주실 수 있어요?
  Pronunciation: da-reun i-reum chu-cheon-hae ju-sil su i-sseo-yo?
  Meaning: Could you recommend another name?

• Expression: 이 이름 마음에 드세요?
  Pronunciation: i i-reum ma-eum-e deu-se-yo?
  Meaning: Do you like this name?

• Expression: 솔직한 의견을 듣고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: sol-ji-kan ui-gyeon-eul deut-go sip-eo-yo.
  Meaning: I want to hear your honest opinion.

• Expression: 친구들 생각은 어때요?
  Pronunciation: chin-gu-deul saeng-ga-geun eo-ttae-yo?
  Meaning: What do my friends think?

• Expression: 이 이름으로 결정해도 될까요?
  Pronunciation: i i-reum-eu-ro gyeol-jeong-hae-do doel-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Can I decide on this name?

• Expression: 더 좋은 아이디어 있어요?
  Pronunciation: deo jo-eun a-i-di-eo i-sseo-yo?
  Meaning: Do you have any better ideas?

• Expression: 어떤 느낌이 드는지 알려주세요.
  Pronunciation: eo-tteon neu-kkim-i deu-neun-ji al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please tell me what kind of feeling it gives.

Korean Culture Notes

• Family Name First: In Korea, the family name (성 – seong) comes first, followed by the given name (이름 – i-reum). Most family names are one syllable (e.g., Kim, Lee, Park), and most given names are two syllables.
• Importance of Meaning: Traditionally, Korean names are often chosen based on Hanja (Chinese characters), with parents selecting characters that have positive meanings related to health, wisdom, success, or beauty. Even pure Korean names (순우리말 이름 – sun-u-ri-mal i-reum) are chosen for their beautiful sound or inherent meaning.
• Generation Names (돌림자 – Dollimja): Some traditional families follow the practice of using a shared character (돌림자 – dol-lim-ja) in the given names of siblings or cousins within the same generation to signify their relationship. This practice is less common now but still exists.
• Naming Trends: Like elsewhere, naming trends in Korea change over time. While traditional Hanja-based names are still common, pure Korean names and names with softer, more neutral sounds have gained popularity in recent decades.
• Choosing a Name for Foreigners: When foreigners choose a Korean name, they often select one that sounds similar to their original name or choose a completely new name based on meaning or sound preference. It’s common to ask Korean friends for suggestions.

Real Conversation Example

Situation: Alex wants to create a Korean name and asks his Korean friend, Minjun, for help.
Roles:
* A: Alex (Wants a Korean name)
* B: Minjun (Korean friend offering advice)

• Expression: A: 민준 씨, 저 한국 이름 만들고 싶어요. 도와줄 수 있어요?
  Pronunciation: min-jun ssi, jeo han-guk i-reum man-deul-go sip-eo-yo. do-wa-jul su i-sseo-yo?
  Meaning: Minjun, I want to make a Korean name. Can you help me?

• Expression: B: 그럼요, 알렉스 씨! 재미있겠네요. 어떤 이름이 좋을까요?
  Pronunciation: geu-reom-yo, al-lek-seu ssi! jae-mi-it-gen-ne-yo. eo-tteon i-reum-i jo-eul-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Of course, Alex! That sounds fun. What kind of name would be good?

• Expression: A: 제 본명 ‘알렉스’랑 발음이 비슷한 이름이면 좋겠어요. 그리고 좋은 의미가 있었으면 해요.
  Pronunciation: je bon-myeong ‘al-lek-seu’-rang ba-reum-i bi-seu-tan i-reum-i-myeon jo-ke-sseo-yo. geu-ri-go jo-eun ui-mi-ga i-sseo-sseu-myeon hae-yo.
  Meaning: I’d like a name with a pronunciation similar to my original name ‘Alex’. And I hope it has a good meaning.

• Expression: B: 흠… ‘알렉스’랑 비슷하게… ‘석진’ (Seokjin) 어때요? ‘석’은 보석 (jewel), ‘진’은 나아가다 (advance)는 뜻이 있어요.
  Pronunciation: heum… ‘al-lek-seu’-rang bi-seu-ta-ge… ‘seok-jin’ eo-ttae-yo? ‘seok’-eun bo-seok, ‘jin’-eun na-a-ga-da-neun tteu-si i-sseo-yo.
  Meaning: Hmm… Similar to ‘Alex’… How about ‘Seokjin’? ‘Seok’ can mean jewel, and ‘Jin’ can mean to advance or move forward.

• Expression: A: 오, 석진! 발음도 좋고 뜻도 멋지네요. 이 이름 마음에 들어요!
  Pronunciation: o, seok-jin! ba-reum-do jo-ko tteut-do meon-ne-yo. i i-reum ma-eum-e deu-reo-yo!
  Meaning: Oh, Seokjin! The pronunciation is good and the meaning is cool too. I like this name!

• Expression: B: 다행이네요! 그럼 성은 뭘로 할까요? 가장 흔한 성씨는 김, 이, 박이에요.
  Pronunciation: da-haeng-i-ne-yo! geu-reom seong-eun mwol-lo hal-kka-yo? ga-jang heun-han seong-ssi-neun gim, i, bak-i-e-yo.
  Meaning: That’s fortunate! Then what should we do for the family name? The most common family names are Kim, Lee, and Park.

• Expression: A: ‘김석진’ 괜찮은 것 같아요. 김석진. 어때요?
  Pronunciation: ‘gim-seok-jin’ gwaen-chan-eun geot ga-ta-yo. gim-seok-jin. eo-ttae-yo?
  Meaning: I think ‘Kim Seokjin’ sounds good. Kim Seokjin. How is it?

• Expression: B: 네, 아주 자연스러워요! 좋은 이름이에요, 김석진 씨!
  Pronunciation: ne, a-ju ja-yeon-seu-reo-wo-yo! jo-eun i-reum-i-e-yo, gim-seok-jin ssi!
  Meaning: Yes, it sounds very natural! It’s a good name, Mr. Kim Seokjin!

Practice Tips

Finding or creating a Korean name is a fun step in your language journey~! Try looking up popular Korean names online or ask your Korean friends for suggestions based on sounds or meanings you like. Practice saying potential names out loud to see how they feel. Don’t be afraid to ask for opinions using the phrases you learned today. Once you have a name, try introducing yourself with it! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Good luck!)