How it works
This page does two different things, and it helps to know which one you want.
1. Write your own name in Korean
Koreans write foreign names by sound, using the official loanword spelling rules. Michael is 마이클, Jennifer is 제니퍼, and Olivia is 올리비아. The tool first looks your name up in a list of hundreds of common names spelled the way Korean media and passports usually write them. For other names it builds a spelling from the sounds, following these patterns:
- F becomes ㅍ and V becomes ㅂ, since Korean has no f or v sound (Fiona → 피오나, Victor → 빅터).
- R and L both become ㄹ. Between vowels an L is often doubled (Ella → 엘라).
- Consonants at the end usually get a soft 으 vowel, so Mark becomes 마크 and James becomes 제임스.
- Th becomes ㅅ or ㄷ, and z becomes ㅈ (Zoe → 조이).
Spellings can vary a little, so if you're getting a tattoo or a stamp made, ask a Korean friend to check.
2. Get a Korean name
A typical Korean name is a one-syllable family name followed by a two-syllable given name, like 김서연 (Kim Seo-yeon). Most given names are built from two Hanja (Chinese characters) chosen for their meaning, though native Korean names such as 하늘 ("sky") are popular too.
The generator picks a family name in proportion to how common it really is (about one in five Koreans is a Kim), and a given name from names that Korean parents actually choose. Each result shows a common way to write it in Hanja and what the characters mean. The same name and birthday always give the same result, so you can share yours with friends.
Names that Korean parents register can use many different Hanja for the same sound, so the meaning shown is one popular choice, not the only one.
Frequently asked questions
How do I write my name in Korean?
Type your first name in the "My name in Hangul" tab. The tool spells it by sound the way Koreans do, for example Michael is 마이클 and Sarah is 사라. Family names work the same way.
Are the generated Korean names real?
Yes. Every given name comes from names Korean parents actually use, and family names are picked according to how common they are in Korea. The Hanja shown is one common way to write the name.
Why does my name have more syllables in Korean?
Korean syllables need a vowel, and English often stacks consonants. A final "k" or "s" usually gets its own syllable, so Mark becomes 마크 (two syllables) and Chris becomes 크리스 (three).
Can I use the generated name in Korea?
You can use it as a nickname or in class. Foreigners who naturalize choose their own legal Korean name, and many pick a name that sounds like their original one.
What does my Korean name mean?
Most Korean given names use two Hanja chosen for their meaning, like 瑞 (auspicious) and 妍 (beautiful) in 서연. The generator shows a common Hanja choice and its meaning for each name.
Based on: National Institute of Korean Language, Loanword Orthography (외래어 표기법) · Statistics Korea, 2015 Population and Housing Census (surnames)
Last checked: 2026-10-20