The 100 Most Famous Korean Men of All Time

This list gathers 100 of the most famous Korean men in history. It starts with the legendary founder Dangun and the kings, generals, monks, and scholars of the Three Kingdoms, Goryeo, and Joseon eras, then moves through independence leaders to the presidents, business founders, artists, filmmakers, musicians, and athletes of modern South Korea.

You will find the king who created the Korean alphabet, a celebrated admiral, Oscar-winning filmmakers, and global sports stars. The list also doubles as baby name inspiration, since many of these men carry strong Korean given names worth considering for your son.

The 100 Most Famous Korean Men of All Time

The list mixes historical figures and modern names across politics, the arts, science, sports, and more; numbers are for easy reference, not a strict ranking.

Baby Name Ideas Inspired by Famous Korean Men

These given names come from men on the list above. Most Korean names are written with Hanja characters, so the meaning depends on the characters a family chooses; the examples show common possibilities rather than one fixed meaning.

Korean Naming Traditions

Korean names are written with the family name first, followed by the given name. Most family names are a single syllable, and a small group of surnames, led by Kim, Lee, and Park, is shared by a large part of the population. The same surname can be romanized in several ways, which is why you will see Lee, Yi, and Rhee, or Park and Pak.

Given names usually have two syllables. Many are Sino-Korean, meaning each syllable can be written with a Chinese character called Hanja, so the meaning of a name like Ji-woo depends entirely on which characters the family chooses. South Korea keeps an official list of Hanja that may be used in personal names. Some families also choose native Korean names with no Hanja at all, such as Haneul (sky) or Bit-na (to shine).

Many traditional families follow generation names, where siblings or cousins of the same generation share one syllable. Korean women traditionally keep their own family name after marriage rather than taking their husband’s. Families also trace their lineage through a clan origin, or bon-gwan, so two people named Kim may belong to entirely different clans. Historical figures are often known by pen names or titles, such as Toegye for Yi Hwang or Saimdang for Shin Saimdang.

How to Use These Names for Your Baby

• Choose meaningful characters. For a Sino-Korean name, pick Hanja that express what you hope for your son. Browse more ideas in our Korean baby names list.
• Settle on a romanization. Names like Joon-ho can be spelled Junho or Jun-ho. Choose one form and use it on every document.
• Consider a bicultural combination. An English first name with a Korean middle name, or the reverse, works well for many families. See our middle names for girls and boys for pairing ideas.
• Respect family customs. Some families use a shared generation syllable for brothers and cousins, so ask relatives before you decide.
• Test it in everyday life. Say the name with your surname and imagine it called out at school. Our guide on how to choose a baby name walks through more checks.

Finding the Right Name

A name tied to a scholar king, an admiral, or a modern star can give your son a sense of heritage and pride. If you would like ideas for girls too, see our list of the most famous Korean women of all time.

Emma Carter

Hello! I’m Emma Carter, born in 1990, and a passionate child development specialist. Alongside my work, I have a deep love for helping parents discover beautiful and meaningful baby names. I believe a name is more than just a label — it’s the beginning of a child’s story. I draw inspiration from languages, cultures, traditions, and even the hidden meanings behind names to help find the perfect fit for every little one’s bright future.