Surname · Korean origin
Choi
Meaning
The surname Choi means Lofty (崔).
Origin
Korean
Type
clan name
U.S. rank (2010)
#872
U.S. bearers (2010)
36,390
How common is it?
Choi is the 872nd most common surname in the United States (2010 U.S. Census), recorded for about 36,390 people.
The origin of the surname Choi
Choi is written with the hanja 崔, “high, lofty.”
How Korean surnames work
Korean surnames are few in number but shared by huge populations — Kim, Lee (Yi) and Park alone account for a large share of all Koreans. Each is written with a hanja (a Chinese-origin character) and is tied to a clan or lineage identified by an ancestral seat (bongwan). The surname comes first, before the given name, and Korean women traditionally keep their own surname after marriage.
Variants & spellings
- Choe
Frequently asked questions
What does the surname Choi mean?
The surname Choi means Lofty (崔). Choi is written with the hanja 崔, “high, lofty.”
Where does the surname Choi come from?
Choi is a surname of Korean origin.
What kind of surname is Choi?
Choi is a clan name surname.
How common is the surname Choi in the United States?
Choi is the 872nd most common surname in the United States (2010 U.S. Census), recorded for about 36,390 people.