How to write your name in Korean
Korean is written in Hangul, an alphabet of simple letters grouped into syllable blocks. To write a foreign name in Korean, each sound of the name is matched to the closest Korean letters and then stacked into blocks. For example, the "Je" in Jessica becomes 제, "ssi" becomes 시, and "ca" becomes 카 — together 제시카. Korean Name Lab does this for you instantly and shows the romanization so you can sound it out.
Because Korean has a different set of sounds from English, a name in Hangul is always an approximation of the original pronunciation rather than a perfect match. Sounds that don't exist in Korean (like "f", "v", "z", or "th") are mapped to the nearest Korean sound. That's completely normal — it's exactly how Korean speakers write foreign names too.
Hangul transliteration vs. a real Korean name
There are two ways to "have a Korean name", and they're different:
- Hangul transliteration — your existing name spelled out in Korean letters by sound (e.g., David → 데이비드). This is what you'd write on a form in Korea.
- A Korean-style given name — a real Korean name with its own meaning, chosen to suit you (e.g., 하은, Ha-eun, "grace"). This is the kind of name a Korean person actually has.
Korean Name Lab gives you both: your transliteration at the top, and a set of meaningful Korean-style names below.
Why so many people look up their Korean name
From K-pop and K-dramas to studying Korean and meeting friends online, millions of people around the world want to know what their name looks and sounds like in Korean. It's a small, fun piece of identity — perfect for your social bio, a language class, fan projects, or just curiosity. Save your name card image and share it with friends to compare.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the official way to write my name in Korean?
It follows the standard approach Korean speakers use — matching each sound to the closest Hangul. Because pronunciations vary, there can be more than one acceptable spelling. Use it as an excellent starting point.
Can I hear how it sounds?
Yes. Tap the 🔊 button to hear your name read aloud using your device's Korean voice (available on most modern phones and browsers).
Is my name stored anywhere?
No. Everything runs in your browser. Your name is never uploaded to or stored on a server.
Can I download my name in Korean as an image?
Yes. Click "Save name card" to download a shareable image of your name in Hangul.