Surname · Korean origin
Kim
Meaning
The surname Kim means Gold (金).
Origin
Korean
Type
clan name
Variants
1
The origin of the surname Kim
Kim, borne by roughly a fifth of Koreans, is written with the hanja 金, “gold.”
What kind of surname is Kim?
Kim is a clan name surname. It belongs to the Korean naming tradition — you can read how Korean surnames were formed on our Korean last names page.
Variants & spellings of Kim
You may also see this surname written as:
- Gim
Other Korean surnames
Other clan name surnames
Family names formed the same way, from different cultures.
Frequently asked questions
What does the surname Kim mean?
The surname Kim means Gold (金). Kim, borne by roughly a fifth of Koreans, is written with the hanja 金, “gold.”
Where does the surname Kim come from?
Kim is a surname of Korean origin.
What kind of surname is Kim?
Kim is a clan name surname.
What are other spellings of Kim?
Variant spellings of Kim include Gim.
What are other Korean surnames?
Other Korean surnames include Ahn, Baek, Choi, Han, Hong, Hwang.