Korean name generator
Most Korean name generators put syllables together at random. In Korea, a name is traditionally chosen — a real name, written in hanja whose meaning and element suit the person’s birth chart. Here is how that works; the calculator below finds yours.
How are Korean names structured?
A Korean name is usually a one-syllable family name followed by a two-syllable given name, as in Kim Seo-yeon or Park Ji-hoon. The family name comes first, and three surnames — Kim, Lee and Park — are shared by nearly half of all Koreans.
What does a Korean name mean?
Most Korean given names are written in hangul but chosen for their hanja, the Chinese characters behind each syllable. The same sound can carry very different meanings: Hyun can be written 賢 (wise), 炫 (bright) or 泫 (glistening water), so a name’s meaning depends on which characters the family picks.
What is a dollimja (generation name)?
Many Korean families traditionally give every child of the same generation one shared syllable, called a dollimja (돌림자). Clan records often set these syllables in advance, and many rotate them through the five elements from one generation to the next. That is why siblings and cousins in some families have names that sound alike.
How does saju shape a Korean name?
In traditional naming, the name-giver first reads the child’s saju chart to see which of the five elements it is short on. They then choose hanja that carry that element — 炫, with its fire radical, for a chart that tends to lack fire — so the name adds what the chart has least of.
What about native Korean names without hanja?
Some Korean names, such as Ha-neul (sky) or Da-som (an old word for love), are native Korean words with no hanja at all. With no characters to read, traditional naming looks only at their sound: the first consonant of each syllable belongs to an element — ㄱ and ㅋ are wood, for example, and Da-som is read by both its ㄷ and its ㅅ. PAL:JA’s generator currently suggests hanja names only, because that is where a chart’s elements can be matched character by character.
What mistakes should I avoid when choosing a Korean name?
The most common mistake is a name that also means something else in Korean: Mi-won is a real given name, and also the country’s best-known seasoning brand. Check that your name isn’t a brand, a slang word or a famous character, and say it aloud with your family name — some pairs run together into another word.
How does PAL:JA’s Korean name generator work?
PAL:JA calculates your saju chart at true solar time, finds the elements it is asking for, and matches them against real names commonly used in Korea, written in hanja from the Supreme Court’s list of characters permitted in names. You choose one or two syllables, a modern or classic style, and a Korean surname or your own.
How much does a Korean name cost?
Calculating your chart is free; Korean names need a free account. Your first three suggestions cost 2 bok and come with one more set of three free, and each new set after that is 1 bok.
How do I find my Korean name?
Enter your birth date, time and birthplace in the calculator on this page. PAL:JA calculates your chart, then takes you straight to your Korean name.
Find your Korean name
FAQ
How do I find the meaning of a Korean name?
Look at its hanja, not just its sound — the meaning lives in the characters. Every name PAL:JA suggests comes with its hanja, what each character means, and why it suits your chart.
Is this a certified Korean naming?
No. It follows the traditional method — real names, hanja chosen for their element — but it is a gift from your chart, not a certified naming, and no stroke-count numerology is applied.
Can I keep my own surname?
Yes. You can pair your Korean given name with a Korean surname or keep your own family name.
Do I need my birth time?
No. Without it, your chart is read from six of its eight characters, which is enough to find the elements it is asking for; adding the time makes the match more precise.