The 100 Most Common Korean Last Names (2015 Census Ranking)

Name: Korean surnames by population, 2015 census
Creator: Statistics Korea (KOSIS)
License: https://kosis.kr

Updated August 28, 2026 · Data: KOSIS 2015 census

The ten most common Korean last names are carried by two out of every three South Koreans. This page ranks the top 100 by the 2015 census, shows what share of the country each one represents, and explains where the famous “Kim, Lee, Park” concentration came from.

Most commonKim 김21.5% of South Korea

Kim, Lee and Park together44.6%nearly half the country

Top 10 surnames cover65.8%of 49,705,663 people

Surnames in the census191Hangul spellings with 5+ holders

The top 10 Korean surnames

김Kim 金 · gold, metal
10,689,967 · 21.5%
이Lee 李 · plum tree
7,307,237 · 14.7%
박Park 朴 · gourd; also read as "simple, unadorned"
4,192,080 · 8.4%
정Jung 鄭 · the ancient Chinese state of Zheng; also "solemn, proper"
2,407,601 · 4.8%
최Choi 崔 · high, lofty, towering
2,340,582 · 4.7%
조Cho 趙 · the ancient state of Zhao
1,453,971 · 2.9%
강Kang 姜 · ginger (姜); also "peace, health" (康)
1,269,290 · 2.6%
장Jang 張 · to stretch, to draw a bow; archer
1,021,107 · 2.1%
윤Yoon 尹 · governor, to administer
1,020,564 · 2.1%
임Lim 林 · forest, woods (林); also "duty, responsibility" (任)
1,015,200 · 2.0%

The story behind each of the top ten

1. Kim (김, 金) — 10,689,967 people, 21.5%

One in five Koreans is a Kim. The character means “gold” and the name descends from two royal lines: the Kim kings of Silla (57 BC–935 AD), whose clan seat is Gyeongju, and King Suro of Gaya, ancestor of the Gimhae Kim, the single largest clan in Korea with over four million members. Because both lines were royal, Kim became the surname of choice for commoners registering a name for the first time, which is why it is so disproportionately common. About 280 Kim bon-gwan exist. Kim surname page →

2. Lee (이, 李) — 7,307,237 people, 14.7%

Written 李 (“plum tree”), the surname of the Joseon dynasty’s royal house — the Jeonju Lee clan, from which the kings of Korea descended for 518 years. In South Korea it is pronounced “ee” (the initial L is silent); North Koreans write and say it as Ri. Spellings in English include Lee, Yi, Rhee and Yee. Lee surname page →

3. Park (박, 朴) — 4,192,080 people, 8.4%

Park traces itself to Hyeokgeose, the legendary founder of Silla, who according to the Samguk Sagi hatched from a gourd-shaped egg — 朴 means “gourd”. It is one of the few Korean surnames with no Chinese origin; the Chinese reading Piáo is used only for Koreans. Most Parks belong to the Miryang Park clan. Park surname page →

4. Jung (정, 鄭 / 丁 / 程) — 2,407,601 people, 4.8%

Also spelled Jeong, Chung and Cheong. The syllable 정 is shared by three Hanja: 鄭 (an ancient Chinese state, by far the largest), 丁 and 程. Counted by Hangul it outranks Choi; counted by the single character 鄭 it drops to fifth, which is why lists disagree. The Dongnae Jeong and Yeonil Jeong clans are the largest. Jung surname page →

5. Choi (최, 崔) — 2,340,582 people, 4.7%

Pronounced “chweh”, not “choy”. The character means “high, lofty”. The Gyeongju Choi clan claims descent from Choi Chi-won, the celebrated ninth-century Silla scholar. Choi is one of the six Silla village-chief surnames alongside Lee, Jung, Son, Bae and Seol. Choi surname page →

6. Cho (조, 趙 / 曺) — 1,453,971 people, 2.9%

Also spelled Jo. Two main Hanja: 趙 (the Chinese state of Zhao; Hanyang and Pungyang Cho clans) and 曺 (the Changnyeong Cho clan, a uniquely Korean character). Cho surname page →

7. Kang (강, 姜 / 康) — 1,269,290 people, 2.6%

The Jinju Kang clan, written 姜 (“ginger”), makes up almost all Kangs and traces itself to a Goguryeo general. A smaller Kang written 康 (“health”) also exists. Kang surname page →

8. Jang (장, 張) — 1,021,107 people, 2.1%

Often spelled Chang in older romanization. 張 means “to draw a bow” and is one of the most common surnames in China too (Zhang). The Indong Jang and Andong Jang clans dominate in Korea. Jang surname page →

9. Yoon (윤, 尹) — 1,020,564 people, 2.1%

Also Yun. The character means “governor”. The Papyeong Yoon clan produced several Joseon queens and is the largest lineage. Yoon surname page →

10. Lim (임, 林 / 任) — 1,015,200 people, 2.0%

Also Im, Yim or Rim. Two Hanja share the syllable: 林 (“forest”, Naju and Pyeongtaek Lim clans) and 任 (“duty”, the Pungcheon Im clan). Like Lee, the initial L is not pronounced in South Korea. Lim surname page →

Top 100 Korean last names ranked

#	Surname	Hangul	Hanja	Meaning	Population	Share
1	KimGhim, Kin	김	金	gold, metal	10,689,967	21.5%
2	LeeLee, Yi	이	李異伊	plum tree	7,307,237	14.7%
3	ParkPark, Pack	박	朴博	gourd; also read as "simple, unadorned"	4,192,080	8.4%
4	JungJung, Chung	정	鄭丁程	the ancient Chinese state of Zheng; also "solemn, proper"	2,407,601	4.8%
5	ChoiChoi, Choy	최	崔催最	high, lofty, towering	2,340,582	4.7%
6	ChoJoe, Joh	조	趙曺調	the ancient state of Zhao	1,453,971	2.9%
7	KangKhang, Kahng	강	姜康強	ginger (姜); also "peace, health" (康)	1,269,290	2.6%
8	JangJhang, Zhang	장	張蔣章	to stretch, to draw a bow; archer	1,021,107	2.1%
9	YoonYoon, Youn	윤	尹允潤	governor, to administer	1,020,564	2.1%
10	LimLim, Yim	임	林任壬	forest, woods (林); also "duty, responsibility" (任)	1,015,200	2.0%
11	ShinShin, Sheen	신	申辛愼	to report, to state; the monkey of the zodiac (申); also "bitter, hard-won" (辛)	986,001	2.0%
12	YooYoo, You	유	柳劉兪	willow tree (柳); also "to allow, to overflow" (兪)	963,498	1.9%
13	HanHahn, Hann	한	韓漢汗	Korea itself; great, leader (韓)	773,537	1.6%
14	OhOh, Ou	오	吳伍吾	the ancient state of Wu	763,334	1.5%
15	SeoSuh, Su	서	徐西書	slow, gentle, calm	752,233	1.5%
16	JeonJun, Chun	전	全田錢	whole, complete (全); field (田)	749,266	1.5%
17	KwonKwon, Kweon	권	權勸券	authority, power, rights	706,212	1.4%
18	HwangWhang, Hoang	황	黃皇潢	yellow; the colour of emperors	697,475	1.4%
19	AhnAhn, Ann	안	安顔案	peace, tranquility, safety	685,688	1.4%
20	SongSoung, Shong	송	宋松送	the Song dynasty; pine tree (松)	683,521	1.4%
21	HongHoung, Heung	홍	洪弘紅	vast, flood, great water	558,994	1.1%
22	YangRyang, Yaung	양	梁楊粱	bridge, beam, roof-beam (梁); also "poplar, willow" (楊)	530,554	1.1%
23	KoKoh, Goh	고	高顧	high, tall, elevated	471,429	0.95%
24	MoonMoon, Mon	문	文門	writing, literature, culture	464,047	0.93%
25	SonSohn, Shon	손	孫遜損	grandchild, descendant	457,356	0.92%
26	BaeBea, Bai	배	裵輩培	a flowing robe or skirt	400,669	0.81%
27	BaekBack, Baik	백	白百伯	white, pure	382,447	0.77%
28	HeoHur, Huh	허	許	to permit, to allow	326,782	0.66%
29	NohNoh, Roh	노	盧魯蘆	black; a rice bowl or hut (盧)	315,372	0.63%
30	NamNahm, Nham	남	南男	south	275,659	0.55%
31	ShimShim, Sym	심	沈沁深	to sink; deep	272,049	0.55%
32	HaHah, Har	하	河夏何	river	233,106	0.47%
33	JooJoo, Choo	주	朱周主	vermilion red (朱); also "circumference, Zhou dynasty" (周)	232,063	0.47%
34	KooKoo, Goo	구	具丘邱	tool, to prepare, complete	208,550	0.42%
35	KwakKwag, Kwack	곽	郭廓槨	the outer wall of a city	203,365	0.41%
36	SungSung, Soung	성	成盛星	to accomplish, to complete	199,160	0.40%
37	WooWoo, Wu	우	禹于寓	Emperor Yu the Great, founder of the Xia dynasty	195,729	0.39%
38	ChaChar, Tcha	차	車次	cart, vehicle, chariot	194,788	0.39%
39	JinJhin, Jean	진	陳秦晋	to display, to arrange; old; the Chen state	186,310	0.37%
40	MinMinn, Mihn	민	閔民敏	to pity, to sympathize; the common people (民)	171,799	0.35%
41	RyuYoo, Ryoo	류	柳劉	willow tree	163,994	0.33%
42	NaRa, La	나	羅蘿邏	a net; silk gauze	161,015	0.32%
43	JiJee, Gi	지	池智地	pond, pool	160,147	0.32%
44	UhmUm, Eum	엄	嚴儼	strict, stern, dignified	144,660	0.29%
45	ByunByun, Byon	변	卞邊變	law; impatient; hat	138,802	0.28%
46	ChaeChai, Che	채	蔡菜采	the ancient state of Cai; tortoise	131,757	0.27%
47	WonWeon, Woon	원	元袁原	origin, source, first	130,174	0.26%
48	BangBhang, Bahng	방	方房龐	direction, square, method	129,559	0.26%
49	CheonChun, Chon	천	千天川	thousand (千); heaven (天); river (川)	121,927	0.25%
50	KongKohng, Ghong	공	孔公	Confucius (孔); hole, opening; public (公)	92,340	0.19%
51	HyunHyun, Hyon	현	玄賢	dark, profound, mysterious	88,831	0.18%
52	YeoYuh, Yo	여	呂余黎	spine; a pitch-pipe; surname of Lü	80,672	0.16%
53	HamHahm, Harm	함	咸	all, entirely; salty	80,659	0.16%
54	YeomYum, Youm	염	廉閻簾	honest, incorruptible	69,428	0.14%
55	SeokSuk, Seog	석	石昔釋	stone, rock	60,607	0.12%
56	ChuChoo, Chou	추	秋鄒	autumn	60,561	0.12%
57	DoDoh, Dho	도	都陶道	capital city, metropolis (都); pottery (陶); the Way (道)	57,946	0.12%
58	SoSoh, Sho	소	蘇邵肖	to revive; perilla plant	53,856	0.11%
59	SeolSul, Seul	설	薛偰楔	wormwood, mugwort (薛)	45,692	0.09%
60	SunSun, Son	선	宣鮮善	to proclaim, to announce	42,842	0.09%
61	MaMah, Mar	마	馬麻	horse	39,196	0.08%
62	GilGill, Gihl	길	吉	lucky, auspicious, good fortune	38,173	0.08%
63	YeonYoun, Yun	연	延連燕	to extend, to prolong	34,850	0.07%
64	WiWee, We	위	魏韋衛	the ancient state of Wei; towering	32,191	0.06%
65	PyoPhyo, Poy	표	表俵	surface, table; to express	30,749	0.06%
66	MyungMyung, Myoung	명	明	bright, brilliant, clear	29,110	0.06%
67	KiKee, Key	기	奇寄箕	strange, extraordinary, wonderful	29,062	0.06%
68	BanBahn, Van	반	潘班	rice-washing water; the Pan clan	28,223	0.06%
69	RaNa, La	라	羅蘿邏	a net; silk gauze (North Korean form of Na)	25,974	0.05%
70	WangWhang, Woang	왕	王汪	king	25,581	0.05%
71	KeumKeum, Kum	금	琴金芩	a stringed instrument (琴); gold (金)	25,472	0.05%
72	OkOck, Og	옥	玉	jade	25,107	0.05%
73	YookYook, Youk	육	陸	land, continent	23,455	0.05%
74	InIhn, Yin	인	印	seal, stamp, to print	22,363	0.04%
75	MaengMeang, Mang	맹	孟	eldest, first-born; the philosopher Mencius	22,028	0.04%
76	JeJae, Jea	제	諸齊	all, various (諸); uniform, even (齊)	21,988	0.04%
77	MoMoh, Mho	모	牟毛慕	to seek, to plan	21,912	0.04%
78	NamgungNamkung, Namkoong	남궁	南宮	south palace	21,313	0.04%
79	TakTark, Tag	탁	卓	outstanding, eminent, a table	21,099	0.04%
80	KookKook, Gook	국	鞠鞫菊	to nurture; to bow (鞠); chrysanthemum (菊)	20,768	0.04%
81	EoUh, Eoh	어	魚漁	fish	18,929	0.04%
82	KyungKyung, Kyoung	경	慶景京	to congratulate, celebration (慶); scenery (景)	16,958	0.03%
83	EunUn, En	은	殷銀恩	the Yin (Shang) dynasty; silver (銀)	16,927	0.03%
84	PyunPyun, Pyon	편	片	a slice, a fragment	16,689	0.03%
85	YongYoung, Lyong	용	龍	dragon	15,276	0.03%
86	YeYea, Yae	예	芮禮倪	small, sharp; ritual	13,587	0.03%
87	BongVong	봉	奉鳳	to offer respectfully (奉); phoenix (鳳)	12,959	0.03%
88	SaSha, Sah	사	史司謝	history, chronicler	10,998	0.02%
89	BooBoo, Poo	부	夫付傅	husband, man (夫); wealth (富)	10,604	0.02%
90	HwangboWhangbo, Hoangbo	황보	皇甫黃甫	imperial protector; a two-syllable surname	10,427	0.02%
91	GaKah, Kha	가	賈價	merchant, to trade; price	9,950	0.02%
92	BokBog, Bock	복	卜	divination, to foretell	9,538	0.02%
93	TaeTai, Tea	태	太泰	great, supreme	9,073	0.02%
94	MokMock, Mog	목	睦穆	harmonious, friendly	8,859	0.02%
95	HyungHyung, Hyoung	형	邢刑形	the ancient state of Xing	7,328	0.01%
96	KyeKae, Kay	계	桂季	cassia, cinnamon laurel	6,641	0.01%
97	PiPee, Phee	피	皮	skin, hide, leather	6,578	0.01%
98	DooDoo, Do	두	杜	pear tree; to shut	6,428	0.01%
99	GamKahm, Kang	감	甘	sweet	6,024	0.01%
100	DongDhong, Doung	동	董童東	to direct, to supervise; east (東)	5,936	0.01%

Source: Statistics Korea (KOSIS) 2015 census, surnames with five or more holders. Figures are by Hangul spelling, so surnames written with several Hanja (e.g. 정 = 鄭 + 丁 + 程) are counted together.

Why is the distribution so concentrated?

No other country has a surname pool this narrow. In China the top 100 surnames cover about 85% of the population; in Korea the top 100 cover more than 99%, and the top three alone reach 44.6%. The cause is historical rather than demographic. Korean surnames spread downward from royalty over roughly a thousand years, and at every stage the newly named copied the most prestigious existing names rather than inventing new ones. When universal registration finally arrived in 1909, families with no surname overwhelmingly took the name of the local aristocratic clan, and in most of the country that clan was a Kim, a Lee or a Park.

The concentration is stable. Comparing the 2000 and 2015 censuses, Kim’s share moved from 21.6% to 21.5% and Lee’s from 14.8% to 14.7%. The only real change is at the bottom of the table, where naturalised citizens have added thousands of foreign surnames that are counted separately from the traditional Korean names listed here.

Counting by Hangul or by Hanja

Rankings differ depending on whether you count by Korean spelling or by Chinese character. The KOSIS census publishes both. By Hangul, 정 (Jung) is fourth and 조 (Cho) sixth; by Hanja, 崔 Choi is fourth because the Jung total is split between 鄭, 丁 and 程. This site uses the Hangul totals because that is what a name sounds and looks like in Korea, but every surname page lists each Hanja separately.

Frequently asked questions

What are the three most common Korean last names?

Kim (21.5%), Lee (14.7%) and Park (8.4%). Together they cover 44.6% of South Korea’s population, about 22.2 million people in the 2015 census.

What is the second most common Korean surname after Kim?

Lee (이, 李), with 7,307,237 holders in 2015. It is also spelled Yi and Rhee, and Ri in North Korea.

What percentage of Koreans are named Kim?

21.5% — 10,689,967 of 49,705,663 people counted in the 2015 South Korean census.

Is Choi or Jung more common?

By Hangul spelling, Jung (정) is slightly more common with 2.41 million holders against Choi’s 2.34 million. By single Hanja, Choi 崔 outranks Jung 鄭 because the Jung total is split across three characters.