Kyung-hee

Kyung-hee is a Korean female given name, an alternate transcription of Gyeong-hui (경희). The name is composed of two Sino-Korean elements: gyeong (敬) meaning "respect, honour" and hui (姬) meaning "beauty." Other hanja character combinations are also possible, so the meaning can vary depending on the chosen characters.

Popularity

Kyung-hee was extremely popular in South Korea during the mid-20th century. In 1950, it ranked as the ninth-most common name for baby girls, and by 1960, it had risen to third place. This peak reflects naming trends of the postwar era, when traditional Sino-Korean names with virtuous meanings were favored.

Notable Bearers

Individuals named Kyung-hee (or its variants Gyeong-hui, Kyong-hui) have achieved recognition across various fields, particularly in arts, entertainment, and sports.

Arts and Entertainment

• Hong Kyung-hee (born 1954), South Korean sculptor
• Lee Kyung-hee (born 1969), South Korean television screenwriter known for dramas such as Autumn in My Heart
• Grace Lee (Korean name Lee Kyung-hee; born 1982), South Korean television host in the Philippines

Sports

• Lee Gyeong-hui (born 1958), South Korean speed skater
• Choi Kyung-hee (born 1966), South Korean basketball player
• Li Gyong-hui (cross-country skier, born 1967), North Korean skier who competed in the 1992 Winter Olympics
• Yang Gyeong-hui (born 1971), South Korean sprinter
• Li Gyong-hui (gymnast, born 1972), North Korean artistic gymnast
• Yang Kyong-hui (born 1978), North Korean football defender who participated in the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup
• Choi Gyeong-hui (born 1981), South Korean long-distance runner who competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics

• Meaning: "Respect, honour" + "beauty", but varies by hanja
• Origin: Korean (Sino-Korean)
• Type: Given name
• Usage regions: South Korea, North Korea
• Alternate transcriptions: Gyeong-hui, Kyong-hui, Gyong-hui