How to Write a French Name in Korean: Simple Rules

To put a French name into Korean, you transcribe the sounds into Hangul (e.g. Nicolas → 니콜라 / 니콜라스). You’re not looking for a Korean “equivalent.”

Transcription ≠ translation

Marie doesn’t become 봄. Keep the sound: 마리. Koreans may later suggest a Korean 이름, but it’s optional.

French sounds that cause trouble

• French u → often 위 / 유
• uvular r → ㄹ
• j (Julien) → ㅈ
• gn → 니
• é/è → 에 / 애 (approximate)

Common examples

• Nicolas → 니콜라 / 니콜라스
• Sophie → 소피
• Julien → 쥘리앙 / 줄리앙
• Camille → 카미유
• Antoine → 앙투안

Passport / Kakao tip

Pick one spelling and keep it everywhere (bank, Kakao, class). Switching 니콜라 ↔ 니콜라스 weekly creates confusion.

Key vocabulary

Tip

Ask a Korean to read your version aloud. If it sounds robotic, tweak one syllable (often r or u).

Go further

Find these words in the Seonsaengnim dictionary and practice them in lessons / flashcards with native audio.