Korean names: family name first, honorifics, and gender guessing
Korean full names are almost always three syllables: a one-syllable family name followed by a two-syllable given name, written and spoken with the family name first even in English correspondence. This guide covers that structure, the honorific used in business email, how far gender can be guessed from the given-name syllables, and a safe neutral form for when you are unsure.
Name order and structure
Kim Min-jun is Mr./Ms. Kim, given name Min-jun; the family name (commonly Kim, Lee, Park, Choi or Jung) comes first and, unlike Japanese names, is usually kept in that order even on English business cards. The given name is typically two syllables, sometimes hyphenated, sometimes written as one word (Minjun) or two (Min Jun) depending on personal preference and passport transliteration; treat all three as the same name when matching against a database.
A small number of Koreans use only their family name plus a Western first name in international business, but this is the exception rather than the rule.
Honorifics and titles in business email
The honorific -nim follows the full name or a job title and is respectful and gender-neutral: "Kim Min-jun nim" or "Park Bujang-nim" (Mr./Ms. Deputy Director Park). In English business email, "Dear Mr./Ms. [family name]" is standard once gender is known; the full name with no title ("Dear Kim Min-jun") is a safe neutral fallback.
Job titles matter more in Korean business culture than in most Western correspondence, and using one correctly (Bujang, Gwajang, Sajangnim) where you know it is a stronger signal of respect than getting the honorific exactly right.
Gender and names
Given-name syllables carry weak, not strong, gender signals: syllables like Min, Jin, Hyun and Joon appear in both men's and women's names, while a few syllables (Sook, Hee in certain combinations) lean more female. Because the same syllable can be written with different Hanja characters carrying different meanings, and transliteration standards vary, guessing gender from a romanised Korean given name alone is low-confidence.
What to write when unsure
Avoid addressing a Korean contact by given name alone, especially in a first email; it reads as too familiar in Korean business norms regardless of gender. "Dear [full name]," or "Dear Mr./Ms. [family name]" once confirmed are both safe. If you know the job title, leading with it plus the family name is the most natural-sounding option.
Examples
Formal letter, gender known (male)
Dear Mr. Kim,
Formal letter, gender known (female)
Dear Ms. Park,
Formal letter, gender unclear
Dear Kim Min-jun,
Everyday email, ongoing contact
Hi Min-jun,
Names to try
Frequently asked questions
Does the family name come first or last in Korean?
First, and this order is usually kept even on English-language business cards: Kim Min-jun is Mr./Ms. Kim, given name Min-jun.
Is it okay to call a Korean colleague by their given name?
Not in a first business email. Family name plus title, or the full name, is the safer default in Korean business culture.
Can I tell gender from a Korean given name?
Only weakly. Most given-name syllables such as Min, Jin or Hyun appear in both men's and women's names, so treat a guess as low-confidence.
What does -nim mean?
-nim is a respectful, gender-neutral suffix added to a name or job title, roughly like adding "esteemed" before Mr./Ms. or a title.