Korean Family Names: Kim, Lee, Park and the Rest
About half of Koreans are named Kim, Lee, or Park. Here’s why, and what it actually means.
Published on September 14, 2026
The most common Korean family names are 김 (Kim), 이 (Lee/Yi), and 박 (Park). Together they cover nearly half the population.
Why so few surnames?
Historically only yangban (nobles) had family names. When the system opened up, many families adopted already prestigious surnames. Result: extreme concentration on a few 성 (seong).
Kim, Lee, Park: the numbers
- 김 (Kim): ~21%
- 이 (Lee / Yi / Rhee): ~15%
- 박 (Park / Pak): ~8%
Next: 최 (Choi), 정 (Jung/Jeong), 강 (Kang), 조 (Cho), 윤 (Yoon), 장 (Jang), 임 (Lim/Im).
본관 (clan): the real distinction
Two Kims are not “the same family.” The 본관 marks the clan’s ancestral seat (e.g. Gimhae Kim). That’s what matters for genealogy, not the 성 alone.
Romanization: why Lee ≠ 이 sometimes
이 becomes Lee, Yi, Rhee, or Ri depending on family and era. Park can be Pak. Not a mistake: it’s a family choice locked on the passport.
Key vocabulary
| Word | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 성 | seong | Family name |
| 이름 | ireum | Given name / full name |
| 본관 | bongwan | Clan / ancestral seat |
| 외가 | oega | Maternal side family |
Tip
In Korea the family name comes first: 김민수 = Kim Min-su. On FR/EN forms, always check the requested order.
Go further
Find these words in the Seonsaengnim dictionary and practice them in lessons / flashcards with native audio.
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