Seong-min

Seong-min is a Korean masculine given name, commonly transcribed in the Revised Romanization system. It originated as an alternative spelling of Sung-min, and both forms remain in use, though official documents prefer the South Korean standard.

Etymology and Meaning

The name is composed of two Sino-Korean syllables. The first syllable, seong, can derive from 成 (seong) meaning "completed, succeeded" or from 性 (seong) meaning "nature, character."> The second syllable, min, typically comes from 敏 (min) meaning "quick, clever, sharp" or from 旻 (min) meaning "heaven."> Many other hanja character combinations exist, allowing for personal nuance.

Popularity

According to South Korean government data and news reports, the name sung-min—which is the same name under the older Yale Romanization—was the eighth-most popular name for newborn boys in 1970. It rose to second place in 1980 and remained so in 1990, reflecting a peak in its popularity during that era.

Notable Bearers

Entertainers

• Lee Sung-min (actor, born 1968), veteran South Korean actor known for film and television.
• Hong Seong-min (born 1976), known by the stage name Hong Kyung-min, singer and actor.
• Lee Sung-min (singer, born 1986), member of boy band Super Junior, one of K-pop's most successful groups.
• Choi Seong-min (actor, born 1995), singer and actor; member of boy band Speed.
• Ahn Seong-min (born 2003), member of boy group Cravity.

Sportspeople

• Kim Sung-min (footballer born 1981), goalkeeper.
• An Sung-min (born 1985), midfielder.
• Kim Sung-min (footballer born 1985), forward.

Cultural Notes

Many bearers in entertainment and sports still spell as 'Sung-min' due to earlier conventions, but both forms refer to the same name. The name also has a variant spelling via Revised Romanization: Seong-min.

• Meaning: "completed, succeeded," "nature," and "quick, clever, sharp" or "heaven"
• Origin: Sino-Korean
• Type: First name (masculine)
• Usage regions: South Korea