Surname Kim - Meaning and Origin
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read moreKim: What does the surname Kim mean?
The surname Kim is of Korean origin and is the most common surname in South Korea. The name Kim means "gold" or "metal" in Korean, symbolizing durability and flexibility. There are many branches of the Kim clan rooted in various regions in Korea. The most prominent clans are the Kim of Gyeongju, the Kim of Gimhae, and the Kim of Andong. Each clan shares a common male ancestor and they have their own unique family tree. The backdrop of the Korean peninsula’s complex political and military history heavily influences the lineage of these clans. Despite sharing the same surname, members of different Kim clans are not necessarily related. It's also worth noting that the surname's popularity is attributed to the dynasties that ruled ancient Korea, as many people adopted the surname of the ruling royal family. Despite its simple interpretation of "gold", the name Kim carries with it a richness of Korean history, culture, and tradition.
Order DNA origin analysisKim: Where does the name Kim come from?
Kim is a surname of Korean origin and is one of the most common last names in Korea. The Hanja character for Kim, 金, can be translated literally as "gold," but the surname does not necessarily relate directly to the metal. It's believed that people with the surname Kim can trace their lineage back to several distinct royal clans, including the Gimhae Kim, the Gyeongju Kim, and the Andong Kim clans. Each clan traces their origin to different historic figures in Korea, many of whom were leaders or members of royalty.
Today, Kim remains incredibly common in Korea, being borne by over 20% of the population in South Korea, according to certain studies. Due to Korean diaspora, the surname is also prevalent amongst Korean communities found in other countries, such as in the United States, where it is common particularly among Korean Americans. Famous people with the surname Kim include the leaders of North Korea's Kim dynasty and the media personality Kim Kardashian.
Variations of the surname Kim
Since the surname Kim is primarily Korean, there are not many variants compared to Western surnames. However, it can be spelled differently according to the method of romanization from Hangul, the Korean alphabet. Some variations include Gim, Kyim, Khim, Keem, and Kym. The Chinese equivalent is Jin or Chin, while Kimura, Kikkawa, and Kanazawa are variants from Japanese origin.
In South Korea, there is a complicated history of clans, each with a different surname and bon-gwan (ancestral seat). "Kim" includes over 600 different clans, the most famous of whom are the Kim of Gimhae, Kim of Gyeongju, and Kim of Andong. These clans may trace their lineage to different ancestors, making the surname Kim a particularly diverse example.
Kim is sometimes combined with other parts in double-barreled family names, like Kim-Lee, though this is more common in Western countries among Koreans who have emigrated, rather than in Korea itself.
It's important to note that in Korean, the family name traditionally comes before the given name, which contrasts with the Western naming practice. Therefore, a person named 'Kim Jisoo' would be referred to as 'Jisoo Kim' in Western nations.
Famous people with the name Kim
- Kim Kardashian West: One of the most famous individuals with the last name of Kim is reality television star and mogul, Kim Kardashian West. As the "it girl" of Hollywood, Kim is known for her lavish lifestyle, fashion choices and her family's reality TV show, Keeping Up With The Kardashians.
- Rain: Rain is a South Korean singer and actor who rose to international stardom in the early 2000s. His real name is Jung Ji Hoon, but he is more commonly known by his stage name, Rain.
- Kim Yo Jong: Kim Yo Jong is the younger sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and a powerful figure in North Korean politics. She has been featured in many international news headlines recently due to her diplomatic and political activities.
- Park Ji-sung: Park Ji-sung is a South Korean football legend, having played for Manchester United and captained the South Korean national team. He is the first Asian football player to have won a UEFA Champions League title.
- Psy: Another famous Kim from South Korea is Psy, the singer of the popular viral sensation, Gangnam Style. His song reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2012 and has been viewed billions of times on YouTube.
- Choi Ji Woo: Choi Ji Woo is a South Korean actress who has starred in many popular television dramas, including Stairway to Heaven and Winter Sonata. She's regarded as one of South Korea's most beloved actresses.
- Kim Hwangsoo: Kim Hwangsoo is a South Korean Olympic gold medalist. He won two gold medals for South Korea in judo in the 1996 and 2004 Summer Olympics.
- Kim Woo Bin: Kim Woo Bin is a South Korean model-turned-actor. He has starred in many films and television series, including Heirs and The Technicians.