Min-ho

Min-ho is a Korean masculine given name composed of two Sino-Korean elements. The first syllable, min, derived from 敏 meaning "quick, clever, sharp." The second syllable, ho, can be written with various hanja characters; common choices include 鎬 meaning "stove, bright" or 浩 meaning "great, numerous, vast." Paired together, Min-ho conveys qualities such as brightness and intelligence or vast cleverness.

Popularity and Styles

According to South Korean government records, Min-ho ranked as the ninth most popular name for baby boys born in 1980. Its enduring appeal lies in its combination of positive, aspirational meanings and its pleasing syllable rhythm. The name continues to be widely used in modern South Korea.

Notable Bearers

The name Min-ho has been borne by many prominent figures in entertainment and sports. Among the best-known entertainers are actor Lee Min-ho (born 1987), whose popularity surged with the television series Boys Over Flowers; singer and SHINee member Choi Min-ho (born 1991); rapper Song Min-ho (stage name Mino, born 1993) of boy band Winner; and Stray Kids member Lee Know (full name Lee Min-ho, born 1998). Other notable entertainers include filmmaker Woo Min-ho, singer Jang Min-ho, and variety star Boom who was born Lee Min-ho. In the sports arena, this name is associated with Olympic judo medalist Choi Min-ho, badminton player Choi Min-ho, and baseball catcher Kang Min-ho. The considerable number of well-known individuals named Min-ho underscores the name's strong association with talent and success in Korea's pop culture and athletics.

Related Names and Variants

As a compound name, Min-ho does not have commonly used diminutives or variants within Korean naming practice, though given names are often abbreviated in casual address. The constituent syllables min and ho appear in many other Korean names, both as first and second syllables.

• Meaning: Quick, clever, sharp + stove/bright or great, vast
• Origin: Korean (Sino-Korean)
• Type: Given name, masculine
• Usage: South Korea, primarily since the mid-20th century
• Notable Cluster: The spelling Min-ho represents the Romanization favored by the majority of bearers.