Korean Name Converter to Translate from English to Korean

How it works

Our Korean Name Converter uses a large language model to translate names between English and Korean, accounting for proper character selection, pronunciation, and cultural considerations.

The tool provides both Hangul and romanized versions using the Revised Romanization system, helping users understand the written and spoken forms of their translated names.

Korean Naming Conventions

Traditional Korean names typically follow a specific structure:

• Family name (성 seong) – usually one syllable
• Given name (이름 ireum) – usually two syllables
• Generational name element (항렬자 hangnyeolja) – optional, traditionally used within extended families

Korean names can be written in both Hangul (한글) and Hanja (한자, Chinese characters), though Hangul is most common today. The selection of Hanja characters for names traditionally considers meaning, stroke count, and generational order within families.

Cultural context and history

Korean naming traditions have been influenced by Confucian principles and Chinese culture while maintaining distinct characteristics. Historically, Korean nobility used generation names to indicate family relationships and lineage. Unlike many cultures, Korea has a relatively small number of family names, with Kim (김), Lee (이), and Park (박) being the most common.

Modern significance

Today, Korean naming practices blend traditional elements with contemporary preferences. While parents still carefully consider character meanings and pronunciation harmony, there’s increasing creativity in given names. Understanding Korean name conventions is particularly valuable for international business, legal documentation, and cultural integration, especially given the importance of proper name order and honorific usage.