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Korean Name Romanizer | English Name for Passport
Enter a Korean name to get English surname spellings ranked by real passport-usage statistics, plus common and official romanizations for the given name. Useful for passports, visas, flight tickets, and overseas payments.
How to use
Pick spelling
Pick a surname spelling by frequency and a given-name spelling.
Format & copy
Choose order/join/passport format and copy.
When to use this
Useful for deciding your English name before a passport/visa application and keeping family surnames consistent.
Deciding your English name when first applying for a passport
Entering your English name on a visa, ESTA, or flight ticket
Filling overseas card, remittance, or contract forms
Keeping family members’ English surnames consistent
Fixing one consistent author name for papers and conference talks
Matching the English name on overseas job applications and LinkedIn
English name spelling guide
The same Korean surname is romanized differently from person to person. Below are the common spellings by real passport statistics, and common vs official given-name spellings.
| Surname | Most common | Others |
|---|---|---|
| 김 | Kim (99.8%) | Gim |
| 이 | Lee (98.4%) | Yi · Rhee |
| 박 | Park (97.3%) | Bak · Pak |
| 정 | Jung (41%) | Jeong · Chung |
| 윤 | Yoon (49%) | Yun · Youn |
| 임 | Lim (62%) | Im · Yim |
Frequently asked questions
Is there one correct English spelling?
No. This tool recommends spellings based on real passport usage and the official romanization, but the final choice is yours.
Should I use Lee or Yi?
About 98% of people with this surname use Lee on passports. Without a specific reason, follow the most common spelling and match your family.
How is the name written on a passport?
Surname first (uppercase), then the given name, joined or hyphenated (e.g. GILDONG or GIL-DONG).
Is it free? Do I need to sign up?
It is free with no sign-up, and your input is not sent to any server.
What about surnames with split spellings like Ryu/Yoo?
Even with the same Hangul, spelling can vary by clan and the initial-sound rule. Pick the spelling your family uses from the candidates.
I already have a passport — can I change the spelling?
Changing the romanized name on a Korean passport is restricted. It is corrected only for set reasons, such as a spelling you already used abroad or a clear clerical error. Check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs passport guidance to see whether your case qualifies.
Can I use the suggested spelling on tickets and visas?
If you already hold a passport, use the spelling printed on it rather than the suggestion. Airlines check tickets against the passport, so a different spelling causes problems at booking or boarding. This tool is for deciding the spelling before your first passport.
Does it matter if family members spell the surname differently?
It is not prohibited, but proving a family relationship abroad gets harder. Dependent visas, school enrolment, insurance and inheritance paperwork may ask for extra documents when surnames differ. Aligning them from the start is easier.
Joined or hyphenated given name — which is better?
Both are allowed. Joined (GILDONG) is treated as a single word by foreign systems, while hyphenated (GIL-DONG) keeps the syllables clear so people mispronounce it less. Avoid a space — GIL DONG is often read as a middle name on foreign forms.