Your Name in Korean Hangul

Free online translator for converting English names to Korean (한국어)

About Korean Script

Korean uses Hangul (한글), a logical alphabet system invented in 1443. Each character represents a syllable block combining consonants and vowels in a unique, scientific writing system.

80+ million native speakers
Speakers Worldwide
2+
Countries

Key Facts:

  • Hangul has 14 basic consonants and 10 basic vowels
  • Characters combine into syllable blocks (like LEGO)
  • Considered one of the most scientific writing systems
  • Each syllable block occupies equal visual space
  • Foreign names are phonetically adapted to Korean sounds
Main countries: South Korea, North Korea

How Names Work in Korean

Korean Hangul represents foreign names by breaking them into syllables and finding the closest Korean phonetic match. Some English sounds are approximated since Korean has a different sound system.

Transliteration Rules:

  • No 'F', 'V', 'Z' sounds - approximate with 프, 브, 즈
  • 'L' and 'R' are the same letter ㄹ
  • Final consonants limited to: ㄱ, ㄴ, ㄷ, ㄹ, ㅁ, ㅂ, ㅇ
  • Each syllable needs a vowel
  • Consonant clusters are separated into syllables

Popular Names in Korean

Here are examples of common English names transliterated to Korean:

Michael
마이클
maikeul
Sarah
사라
sara
David
데이비드
deibideu
Emma
엠마
emma
Christopher
크리스토퍼
keuriseutopeo
Jennifer
제니퍼
jenipeo
Alexander
알렉산더
alleksandeo
Sophia
소피아
sopia

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I write my name in Korean?

Use our Hangul translator tool above. Type your English name and it will convert to Korean Hangul using standard phonetic rules. The transliteration follows official Korean government guidelines for foreign names.

Why does my name look like blocks in Korean?

Hangul combines letters into syllable blocks. Each 'block' you see is one syllable. For example, 'Kim' is written as 김 (one block) combining ㄱ(k) + ㅣ(i) + ㅁ(m).

Can I choose different Korean spellings for my name?

Yes, some names have multiple valid Hangul spellings. Our tool provides the most common standard version, but variations exist. For official documents, check the National Institute of Korean Language guidelines.

Is this how Korean ID cards write foreign names?

Yes, foreign names on Korean documents are written in Hangul following standardized transliteration. Our tool uses these same official rules, so the result matches what you'd see on official paperwork.

Why does my name sound different in Korean?

Korean has fewer sounds than English. Some English sounds like 'f', 'v', 'th' don't exist in Korean and are substituted with the closest Korean sound. This is normal and Koreans will still recognize your name.