My Name in Korean — Free Korean Name Converter (Hangul)

How Do You Write Your Name in Korean?

Korean uses Hangul (한글), a phonetic alphabet created in 1443 by King Sejong the Great. Unlike Chinese characters, Hangul is purely phonetic — which means any name from any language can be written in Korean by matching its sounds. Your name isn’t translated; it’s transliterated. “Emma” becomes 에마 (e-ma), “James” becomes 제임스 (je-im-seu), and “Sofia” becomes 소피아 (so-pi-a).

Hangul is famously logical: 14 consonants and 10 vowels combine into syllable blocks. Most people can learn to read it in a single afternoon — it’s often called the world’s most scientific writing system.

Why Some Sounds Change in Korean

Korean doesn’t have every English sound, so a few letters get adapted: F becomes P (“Fiona” → 피오나), V becomes B (“Victor” → 빅터), Z becomes J (“Zoe” → 조이), and R and L are both ℹ (rieul). Words also can’t end in most consonant sounds, so a soft “eu” (ㅡ) is added — that’s why “Mark” becomes 마크 (ma-keu). It’s not wrong; it’s how Korean phonology works, and it’s exactly how Korean media writes foreign celebrity names.

Want a Real Korean Name Instead?

Transliteration keeps your name’s sound. But some fans want an authentic Korean-style name — a family name like Kim (김), Lee (이), or Park (박) plus a two-syllable given name with a beautiful meaning, like 하은 (Ha-eun, “great kindness”) or 지훈 (Ji-hoon, “wise and warm-hearted”). A fun trick: pick a family name from your favorite K-pop idol and a given name whose meaning matches your personality. Koreans will be delighted either way — showing your name written in Hangul is a guaranteed conversation starter at any café, bar, or taxi in Seoul.

Tips for Using Your Korean Name in Korea

Save a screenshot of your Hangul name — it’s surprisingly useful for café pickup counters (they’ll call your name in Korean!), making restaurant reservations, and filling out simple forms. If you’re getting a custom souvenir like a name stamp (도장, dojang) in Insadong, this is exactly the spelling the artisan will carve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a translation of my name?

No — it’s a phonetic transcription. Your name keeps its sound but is written in Hangul letters, exactly the way Korean newspapers write foreign names.

Why does my Korean name have extra syllables?

Korean syllables can’t end in certain consonant sounds, so a light “eu” vowel is added. “Chris” (1 syllable) becomes 크리스 (keu-ri-seu, 3 syllables).

Can Koreans read my name written this way?

Yes! That’s the whole point — any Korean can read your Hangul name aloud and it will sound close to your real name.

Is the spelling of my Korean name official?

Korea’s National Institute of Korean Language publishes official transcription rules, and common names have standard spellings. Less common names can be written a few different ways — all are acceptable.