How to write your name in Korean

Writing your own name is the most satisfying first thing to do in Korean. It takes about ten minutes, and it teaches you how Hangul builds syllable blocks better than any chart. Here is the whole process.

Step 1: find the spelling

Korean writes foreign names by sound, not by letters. Olivia becomes 올리비아 (ol-li-bi-a), Daniel becomes 대니얼 or 다니엘. Many names have more than one accepted spelling. Type your name into the free Korean name converter to see the standard spelling, the common alternative and why each block is spelled that way. The list of 214 English names is handy for classes.

Step 2: break it into blocks

Each Korean syllable is one square block made of two to four letters: a first consonant, a vowel and sometimes a bottom consonant. 올 is ㅇ + ㅗ + ㄹ. The first ㅇ is silent; it is there because a block cannot start with a vowel. If a letter in your name looks unfamiliar, check it on the Hangul alphabet sheet.

Step 3: trace, then write

Print the free name tracing worksheet. The first row is a model, the next three rows are grey for tracing, and the blank rows at the bottom are for your own name. Write each block left to right and top to bottom, and keep all blocks the same size — beginners often make the vowel too long.

Step 4: type it

Once you can write it, type it. Korean keyboards put consonants on the left hand and vowels on the right; the Korean keyboard layout chart shows where every letter lives, and the typing trainer lets you practice your name as a lesson.

Common questions

• Why does my name look shorter or longer in Korean? Korean adds a vowel after some consonants (Grace → 그레이스) and merges others.
• Can I choose a Korean name instead? Yes, many learners do, but in Korea your passport name is written by sound as above.

More free pages are on the printables hub.