Korean Job Discussion Forums

[whatever]

Does anybody know a good online resource for Korean baby name meanings, in English, that isn't too simplified? Been looking around on the net for some time and everything I come across is either lacking in terms of diversity of names or the meanings offered are too indistinct. Thanks~



Yes, expecting... =)

[Benicio]

It's not that simple because it's about what Chinese character the syllable is based on.
Two Koreans can have the same Korean syllable in their names, but have a different meaning due to them being based on different Chinese characters with different meanings.
Even Koreans have to ask each other what Chinese characters their names are based on.

[tzechuk]

Congrats!!

As the poster said before... 99% of all Korean names are based on the Chinese Characters they choose.. so it's kinda difficult to know what names they are based on their sounds....

I, however, am Chinese (oops... splitting my infinity there)... so if you want to let me know, here or in PM, in generally the kind of names you're after, I may be able to help you. Afterall, I helped name my daughter and every says she has a pretty name. hehe.

[T-J]

Congrats,

I might have missed the other announcement so forgive me. Does this push the wedding date up? And are Dave's posters invited? Before you answer no, remember we bring envelopes too...

[whatever]

Cheers, B, T, and T-J...

Good advice, all around. It had crossed my mind that the Chinese characters were of importance, but I'd met a few Koreans from time to time who told me their parents, maybe out of some 'new age' reasons, gave them names that just meant something to them and little else.

As far as the wedding date is concerned, she'd like to do it overseas, not a big fan of the usual Korean ceremony, etc. I'm indifferent, was down already. Thanks for the goodwill. We'll see~

It's all a pleasant, exciting surprise. Thanks again for the info...

[bluelake]

Congrats!

One other thing to possibly consider is the 항렬 (hangnyeol) generational name. Generally, it's given to boys (although some families in some places give it to both). It is based upon the "Five Elements": Earth, Fire, Metal, Water, Tree (all but two days of the week). The usual way of remembering it is earth + fire = metal; metal digs in the earth and makes a channel for water to go to the tree. For each generation, the name will go back and forth between the first and second name, so if someone has a metal hangnyeol for the first name in one generation, the next generation will have a water hangnyeol for the second name, and so on. The elders in a family decide what each generation's hangnyeol will be.

[nosmallplans]

I found a great book at the Kyobo book store near Jamsil station this week. It's a huge English-Korean-Chinese dictionary and 'hanja' source book. I've spent all week studying family names and I intend to use it to name my own children.

I'd look for something similar if you're really interested in picking good names.

[Underwaterbob]

Another thing to consider is an actual Korean name. I see more and more students popping up with names that are Korean in origin rather than Chinese.

The only one I can remember is 빛나, which means "bright" or "shining".

[Otherside]

[nosmallplans]

[Scotticus]

[Benicio]

I'm sure you won't, but please don't ever name your child any of these:

boys-
Dong
Suk
Bum
Park Gyu (had a student last year with this name)

girls-
Park In Me
Park Me

Yes, I have met girls with these names!

For Koreans, the male names of Dong, Suk, and Bum are good meanings, but for English speakers it is just all wrong.

I'm kind of torn on "Bong"- is it cool or wrong?
Had a student named Bong Suk. Couldn't help but like it.

[Greekfreak]

[Jammer113]

[jvalmer]