130 Korean Cat Names: Unique Options for Your Cat (With Meanings)

The Korean peninsula is divided into North and South Korea, the latter of which has given us K-pop, kimchi, Korean barbecue, and award-winning movies. This beautiful, mountainous country is also known for its elegant and traditional hanbok clothing and delicious bibimbap.

The most popular cat breed in Korea is the Korean Shorthair, or Koshot, with 45.2% of Koreans stating that they own this cat.¹ So, with the popularity of cats increasing in Korea and Korean culture growing around the world, giving your cat a Korean name is a unique and beautiful way to honor the culture.

We compiled an extensive list of everything Korean that you can consider using as a name for your new cat or kitten. Whether you want to honor your culture or find Korean culture inspiring, we hope you’ll find something here that suits your kitty.

How to Name Your Cat

Before we get into the names, here are a few tips on how you can come up with a name for your cat. Start with your cat’s appearance; the color and pattern of their coat can lead to a fun name, particularly when translated into Korean.

You can also name your pet after your favorite musicians, authors, actors, or characters from books, TV shows, or movies. Do you have a favorite Korean singer? Is there someone else you admire?

Finally, you can use your kitty’s unique quirks and personality as inspiration. This can lead to other categories, like food or video games, that fit your cat’s temperament.

Korean Female Cat Names

Here are a few ideas for your female kitty. You can use the meanings of the names as inspiration.

Korean Male Cat Names

Just like with the female names, with these male names, you can use the meaning of a name or pick something just because it’s appealing.

Korean Cat Names Based on Colors

These names all translate to color in some way, though some aren’t specific to color but are items we associate with a particular color. Either way, you might find a great name for your white, black, or ginger cat or your cat with green or blue eyes.

Names Based on Food and Drinks

Naming your cat after a food or a drink is a fun way to celebrate your cat’s character in addition to Korean culture.

Names Based on Food

Names Based on Drinks

Names Based on Famous Korean Men

These are names of popular Korean actors who have starred in movies and K-dramas.

Names Based on Famous Korean Women

Following the famous males list, we have the famous females.

Use Your Imagination!

Now that you’ve looked at several Korean names of people and items, you might have a better idea of what you prefer.

You can truly name your cat anything, but remember that you’ll need to introduce them to friends and family and the vet clinic! In the long run, cats don’t care what their names are; they just want to be well taken care of and given the appropriate amount of grooming, food, love, and attention.

Another fun addition to your cat’s name can be adding a title, like Princess Ari or Duke Cho. Have a look at the following honorifics that could be added to your cat’s already unique Korean name:

Of course, you can use these titles in a tongue-in-cheek manner and only when at home instead of a part of your cat’s official name. But perhaps all cats deserve a title!

A Word on Korean Names

Before you choose a Korean name for your cat, you should understand how Korean names work.

Most Korean names have three syllables. The first part of the name is the family name, and the second and third names are the given name. For example, with the name Kim Soo Hyun, Kim is the family name or last/surname, and Soo Hyun is the given or first/personal name. There’s no such thing as a middle name in Korea, so Soo Hyun is essentially one name.

The first or given name can be written separately, hyphenated, or as one word. So, it can be Soo Hyun, Soo-Hyun, or Soohyun.

Conclusion

When thinking up a name for your new cat, remember to consider your cat’s appearance and personality. You can also look at nature or your favorite Korean dish, like kimchi! You’re surrounded by everyday items that could become potential names, including trees, lakes, flowers, and other animals.

If the right name isn’t here, we hope that perhaps you’ve been inspired and will find your cat’s name on your own. You can use online sources or a friend who speaks Korean to translate different words from your language into Korean.

Hopefully, with a bit of digging, research, inspiration, and love, you’ll discover the perfect name for your cat.

See also:

• 370 Italian Cat Names: Exotic Options for Your Cat (With Meanings)
• 250+ Tortoiseshell Cat Names: Unique Options for Your Tortie Cat
• 140+ Spiritual Cat Names: Thoughtful And Magical Options For Your Cat

Featured Image Credit: Popel Arseniy, Shutterstock