Learn to use Nicknames in Korean

Looking for cute and affectionate nicknames in Korean? Want to know how and when to use a nickname in Korea? In this article, we will see how Koreans use nicknames and share a complete list of nicknames in Korean.

A nickname is a name used instead of a person’s or thing’s real name. Nicknames are created based on appearance, personality, behavior, expression, and career. Nicknames serve to evoke positive or negative emotions.

Nickname in Korean is called Byeolmyeong [별명]. Traditionally, children in Korea received an ugly or offensive nickname to scare away death and wish for a long life; this childhood name was called Amyeong.

List of Nicknames in Korean — Famous Korean Heart Gesture.

Japanese Nicknames vs. Korean Nicknames

Like in Japanese, Korean has rules for addressing someone by their first name only – and this is not very common. Thus, similarly, the first name can be considered a demonstration of affection, like nicknames.

How you address a person defines your relationship, and you must be on intimate terms to start calling them by nicknames. However, unlike Japanese, creative and cute nicknames in Korean are quite common!

Koreans also use honorifics, treatment suffixes, and prefixes. Similarly, some of these honorifics are used especially when nicknaming someone. Some situations are similar to Japan.

Therefore, we recommend reading our article on Japanese Nicknames as well; this way, you will understand how it works, which will help you understand a bit of this article on Korean nicknames.

We also recommend reading:

Nicknames Using Names in Korean

There are not many ways to alter names in the Korean language, as is the case in Japanese. Generally, nicknames in Korean are made by attaching an object that resembles the person, so they are quite similar to the way nicknames are used in Brazil.

For example, the famous basketball player Mark McGuire has the nickname “Big Mac” both for having Mac in his name and for being big, as basketball players are usually giants. So Big Mac from McDonald’s is a perfect nickname!

Korean nicknames associated with tall people:

jeonbosdae [전봇대] – utility poles;
kidali [키다리] – long legs;
longdali [롱다리] – long legs;
tajo [타조] – ostrich;

Korean nicknames associated with short people:

kkomaengi [꼬맹이] – little kids;
ttangkong [땅콩] – peanuts;
ttangkkoma [땅꼬마] – little kids;
dotoli [도토리] – acorns;
syosdali [숏다리] – short legs;

Korean nicknames associated with fat people:

dwaeji [돼지] – pig;
ttungttung [뚱뚱이] – fat;
ttungttaeng-i [뚱땡이] – fat;

Korean nicknames associated with thin people:

mallakkaengi [말라깽이] – thin;
jong-i [종이] – paper;
namusgaji [나뭇가지] – branches;
namus-ip [나뭇잎] – leaves;

Korean nicknames associated with fast runners:

teobo [터보] – turbo;
chita [치타] – cheetah;

Korean nicknames associated with slow runners:

dalpaeng-i [달팽이] – snail;
neulimbo [느림보] – sloth;
geobug-i [거북이] – turtle;

Korean nicknames associated with people who wear glasses:

ppololo [뽀로로] – Pororo;
angyeongppal [안경빨];

Nicknames of Famous People in Korean

On the Korean Wikipedia, we find an extensive list of nicknames of famous people, both Western and Asian, who influence the world in some way. Many of these people are known by nickname in Korea. See some below:

Kim Wan-Seon [김완선] is considered the Madonna of Korea: hangug-ui madonna [한국의 마돈나];
Gloria Gaynor is known in Korea as the Queen of Disco;
Amuro Namie is known in Korea as the Queen of J-Pop;
Rihanna is known in Korea as the Princess of Pop;

Korean Nicknames for Boyfriends and Girlfriends

These are the most traditional nicknames, frequently used in dramas, songs, and in real life:

자기야 (jagiya): Means something like “dear,” and is one of the most popular among couples.
여보 (yeobo): Very commonly used among married couples, especially after some time together.
오빠 (oppa): Literally means “older brother” (said by women to men), but in a romantic context, it is used for older boyfriends.
언니 (unnie): Used by women to refer to older sisters, but can also take on a loving tone among lesbian couples.
자기 (jagi): A shortened and more casual form of jagiya.

These terms are quite present in affectionate vocabulary, especially in established relationships. They carry feeling, familiarity, and respect at the same time.

With the influence of K-pop, social media, and the culture of “aegyo” (acting cute), many couples have started creating lighter and funnier nicknames. Here are some of the most used currently:

꿀떡이 (kkultteogi): Means “honey cake,” referring to something sweet and soft.
곰돌이 (gomdori): “Cute bear,” usually used for calm or shy boyfriends.
토끼야 (tokkiya): “Bunny,” a nickname used for those with a cute appearance or big eyes.
강아지야 (gangajiya): “Puppy,” for affectionate, loyal, and lively partners.
내사랑 (nae sarang): Literally “my love.”

List of Affectionate Nicknames in Korean

Honi – From English Honey, means dear.
Jagiya [자기야] – means dear in Korean.
Ippeuni [이쁜이] – means pretty in Korean;
Yaegiva [애기야] – means ‘baby’ in Korean, a very cute nickname used among boyfriends and friends;
Kiyomi [귀 요미]:- means cuteness or sweetness in Korean;
Oppa [오빠] – means honey in Korean;
Wangjanim [왕자님] – prince in Korean;
Gongjunim [공주님] – princess in Korean. 3
Yŏboya [여보야] – Dear, darling. (Used only between husband and wife)
Saran’ah [사랑아] – my love
yeo-bo [여보] – Darling;
aein [애인] – Love;
jjing-jjingi [찡찡이] – Whiner (but it’s cute);
nae sarang [내 사랑] – My love;

Like in the West, you can use these nicknames comfortably even when greeting, affectionately saying something like “Annyeong, nae sarang” which means “Hi, my love!”.