How English names become Korean
Korean is written in Hangul, an alphabet of 24 basic letters grouped into square syllable blocks. A name is not translated — it is written by sound. Because Korean has no f, v, z-like th, or English r, a few sounds are swapped for the closest Korean letter, and consonants that cannot end a syllable get a short ㅡ (eu) vowel.
The National Institute of Korean Language publishes the official loanword rules (외래어 표기법). This tool applies them to your name and shows which rule shaped each letter. See the rules in plain English or browse 214 common names A–Z.
Questions
Is this how my name is written on a Korean visa or ID?
Not automatically. Korean immigration offices write foreign names in the Latin alphabet; the Hangul form is used in everyday life, on name tags, in class, and by Korean friends. The standard spelling here is what newspapers and textbooks use.
Why are there two spellings?
The first follows the official loanword rules. The second is a spelling you will also see in Korea (for example 다니엘 for Daniel), usually closer to the letters. Both are understood — pick the one you like.
Why does my one-syllable name become two or three blocks?
Korean syllables usually end in a vowel or one of seven consonants. Extra consonants get a soft 'eu' vowel (ㅡ), so Mark becomes 마크 (ma-keu).
Does it work for surnames and middle names?
Yes — type up to four words. Common first names come from our checked list; other words go through the rule engine and are labeled as approximate.