Translate English Names to Korean — Natural Hangul Spellings and Pronunciations

English names don't translate into Korean word-by-word.

They must be rewritten using Korean phonetic rules so the name sounds natural to Korean speakers.

This guide explains how Korean name translation works and how to get an accurate Hangul version.

To translate your name instantly, use the homepage tool and select any tone: translateenglishtokorean.com

How English Names Become Korean Names

Korean uses Hangul, a phonetic writing system.

So names are adapted by sound, not spelling.

General rules:

• Each syllable must match Korean pronunciation patterns
• No silent letters
• No double consonants unless natural
• Vowel clusters break into separate syllables

Common English Names → Natural Korean Forms

Men's Names

Women's Names

Why Some Translations Look Awkward

1. Machine translators spell names literally

They may produce unnatural forms like:

"David" → 다비드 (which sounds foreign and not commonly used)

Better: 데이비드

2. Some English sounds don't exist in Korean

Example:

• "th" in "Thomas" — becomes ㅌ (t sound)
• "v" in "Victoria" — Korean uses ㅂ sound instead

So adjustments must be made.

3. Extra vowels are often required

Korean syllables must follow either:

• Consonant + Vowel
• Consonant + Vowel + Consonant

This affects spelling structure.

Phonetic Conversion Rules

What to Avoid in Korean Name Tattoos

• Don't use fancy fonts that distort Hangul
• Avoid overly formal verb endings
• Keep names short and clean
• Verify the romanization matches the sound you want

Translate Your English Name to Korean Now

Use the translator on the homepage for instant, natural-sounding Hangul:

Related Guides

• Tattoo Translation Guide — If you want your name as a tattoo
• Korean Honorifics Guide — Understanding speech levels