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Love is one of the most meaningful ideas to express through a name. Korean names offer several beautiful ways to connect a name with love, affection, care, and emotional warmth. Some Korean names use a native Korean word whose meaning directly relates to love. For example, Sarang (사랑) comes from the Korean word for “love” and “affection.” The Korean Basic Dictionary also uses sarang for affectionate care toward someone or something valued.
Other names express love through Hanja, Chinese characters historically used in Korean naming. For example, Ae (애, 愛) uses 愛, a Hanja character meaning “love” or “affection.” Names such as Ae jeong, Ae jin, Ji ae, and Jeong ae can therefore carry love related meanings through their Hanja combinations.
However, Korean name meanings require some care. The same Korean syllables can represent different Hanja characters, so the meaning of a name may change depending on the characters selected. Therefore, this list separates direct Korean word names from Hanja based names.
Table of Contents
| Section | What You’ll Learn |
| Best Korean Names Meaning Love | The strongest love related choices |
| Native Korean Love Names | Names connected directly to Korean vocabulary |
| Korean Girl Names Meaning Love | Feminine options and their meanings |
| Korean Boy Names Related to Love | Masculine and adaptable choices |
| Gender Neutral Love Names | Names suitable for different genders |
| Hanja Based Love Names | How 愛 and other characters create meanings |
| Rare Korean Love Names | Less common options with romantic meanings |
| How to Choose a Korean Love Name | Practical naming considerations |
| FAQs | Answers to common questions |
| Key Takeaways | The most important points |
Best Korean Names Meaning Love

If you want a Korean name with a clear connection to love, start with Sarang and Dasom. Both have a direct connection to the Korean concept of love, although they come from different linguistic histories.
Sarang (사랑) is especially straightforward. It is the ordinary Korean word for “love” and “affection,” and it has also been used as a modern Korean given name.
Dasom (다솜) offers a more distinctive option. Behind the Name describes it as an obsolete native Korean word meaning “love,” noting that sarang replaced it as the ordinary word. The name remains listed as a modern Korean name.
For a more traditional Korean naming structure, Hanja based names provide another route. Ae (愛) directly means “love” or “affection,” while compounds such as Ae jeong (愛情) combine characters to express “love” or “affection.”
Top Korean Love Names at a Glance
| Name | Korean | Love Connection | Style |
| Sarang | 사랑 | Love, affection | Direct, modern |
| Dasom | 다솜 | Love | Native Korean |
| Ae | 애 | Love, affection | Short, distinctive |
| Ae jeong | 애정 | Love, affection | Traditional |
| Ae jin | 애진 | Love + precious/genuine | Elegant |
| Ae mi | 애미 | Love + beauty | Feminine |
| Ji ae | 지애 | Wisdom + love | Feminine |
| Jeong ae | 정애 | Virtue + love | Traditional |
The Hanja based meanings above depend on the specific characters shown; other Hanja combinations can produce the same or similar sounds.
Korean Names Directly Connected to Love
Sarang
Sarang (사랑) is perhaps the most immediately recognizable choice for a name meaning love. In Korean, sarang means “love” and can describe romantic affection as well as caring affection toward parents, teachers, nature, art, and other valued things.
As a name, Sarang works for both girls and boys. Behind the Name lists it as a modern Korean name with feminine and masculine usage.
Dasom
Dasom (다솜) has a particularly poetic history. It comes from an obsolete native Korean word meaning “love.” Modern Korean uses sarang instead, but Dasom continues as a given name.
Because of its native Korean background, Dasom can feel less literal than Sarang while still carrying a direct love related meaning.
Ae
Ae (애) uses the Hanja 愛, which means “love” or “affection.” Behind the Name lists Ae as a rare Korean feminine name.
Its short form makes it distinctive, although parents should confirm the intended Hanja when choosing it.
Korean Names With Direct Love Meanings
| Name | Script | Meaning | Meaning Type |
| Sarang | 사랑 | Love, affection | Native Korean word |
| Dasom | 다솜 | Love | Obsolete native Korean word |
| Ae | 애 / 愛 | Love, affection | Hanja |
| Ae jeong | 애정 / 愛情 | Love, affection | Hanja compound |
Sarang and Dasom connect directly to Korean vocabulary, while Ae and Ae jeong carry their meanings through Hanja.
Korean Girl Names Meaning Love

Korean naming traditions provide many feminine names that incorporate 愛 (ae). This Hanja character gives a name a clear connection to love or affection.
Ae jin
Ae jin (애진) combines 愛 (ae), meaning “love,” with 珍 (jin), meaning “precious” or “rare,” or 眞 (jin), meaning “real” or “genuine.”
This makes Ae jin appealing if you want a name that connects love with something precious or genuine.
Ae mi
Ae mi (애미) can use 愛 (ae) for “love” and 美 (mi) for “beautiful.” The combination therefore creates a love and beauty interpretation.
Ji ae
Ji ae (지애) combines 智 (ji), meaning “wisdom,” knowledge, or intelligence, with 愛 (ae), meaning “love” or “be fond of.”
The combination gives the name a thoughtful meaning: wisdom and love.
Jeong ae
Jeong ae (정애) uses 貞 (jeong), associated with virtue, purity, loyalty, or chastity, together with 愛 (ae), meaning love.
Consequently, Jeong ae can suggest a combination of loyalty and love.
Beautiful Korean Girl Names Connected With Love
| Name | Hanja | Meaning | Overall Feel |
| Ae jin | 愛珍 / 愛眞 | Love + precious/genuine | Precious, sincere |
| Ae mi | 愛美 | Love + beauty | Soft, feminine |
| Ji ae | 智愛 | Wisdom + love | Thoughtful |
| Jeong ae | 貞愛 | Virtue + love | Traditional |
| Ae hwa | 愛花 | Love + flower | Floral, romantic |
| Ae suk | 愛淑 | Love + virtuous/pure | Traditional |
These combinations come from documented Korean submitted name entries, and alternative Hanja combinations may also exist for some of the same pronunciations.
Korean Boy Names Related to Love
Direct Korean names meaning “love” are not limited to feminine naming. Sarang provides the clearest gender neutral option because it can function as a modern Korean name for both girls and boys.
Some Hanja based names can also express love related ideas. However, many documented love specific examples are feminine, so it is better not to label every Ae name as a traditional masculine name.
Hui seon
Hui seon (희선) is listed as a Korean name used for both genders. Its Hanja can include 喜, associated with liking, loving, enjoyment, or joy, together with 善, meaning good, virtuous, charitable, or kind.
Therefore, Hui seon offers a broader emotional meaning rather than the direct meaning “love.”
Jae hui
Jae hui (재희) is another Korean name used for both genders. One possible Hanja combination includes 喜 (hui), which can convey “like, love, enjoy” or “joy.”
Because Korean names can use different Hanja, the exact meaning depends on the characters selected.
Love Related Korean Names for Boys or All Genders
| Name | Gender Use | Love Related Element | Overall Meaning |
| Sarang | Feminine & masculine | 사랑 = love | Love, affection |
| Hui seon | Feminine & masculine | 喜 = love/enjoy/joy | Love/joy + goodness |
| Jae hui | Feminine & masculine | 喜 = love/enjoy/joy | Varies by Hanja |
| Dasom | Feminine & masculine | 다솜 = love | Love |
Sarang and Dasom have the most direct love connection, while Hui seon and Jae hui depend more heavily on the selected Hanja.
Gender Neutral Korean Names Meaning Love
If you want a Korean love name that does not strongly lean feminine or masculine, focus on names documented with broader gender usage.
Sarang stands out because its meaning is completely transparent: it is the Korean word for love and affection.
Dasom also has feminine and masculine usage in name references. Its older native Korean meaning gives it a strong connection to love.
Hui seon and Jae hui provide more indirect possibilities through Hanja associated with love, enjoyment, or joy.
Gender Neutral Options
| Name | Korean | Meaning Connection | Best For |
| Sarang | 사랑 | Directly means love | Clear love meaning |
| Dasom | 다솜 | Directly connected to love | Distinctive native Korean choice |
| Hui seon | 희선 | Love/joy + goodness | Broader emotional meaning |
| Jae hui | 재희 | Love/enjoyment/joy through 喜 | Hanja based meaning |
Korean Names Using the Hanja Character for Love
One of the most important things to understand about Korean names is Hanja.
The Hanja 愛, pronounced ae in Sino Korean, means “love” or “affection.” Korean names can combine this character with another Hanja character to create a more specific meaning.
For example:
- 愛珍 (Ae jin) = love + precious
- 愛眞 (Ae jin) = love + genuine
- 愛美 (Ae mi) = love + beauty
- 愛花 (Ae hwa) = love + flower
- 智愛 (Ji ae) = wisdom + love
- 貞愛 (Jeong ae) = virtue/loyalty + love
Hanja Love Elements
| Hanja | Sino Korean Reading | Meaning |
| 愛 | Ae | Love, affection |
| 情 | Jeong | Feeling, emotion, affection |
| 喜 | Hui | Like, love, enjoy; joy |
| 美 | Mi | Beauty |
| 珍 | Jin | Precious, rare |
| 智 | Ji | Wisdom, intellect |
| 貞 | Jeong | Virtue, loyalty, purity |
| 花 | Hwa | Flower |
The exact interpretation of a complete Korean name depends on the Hanja combination rather than pronunciation alone.
Korean Names That Express Affection and Devotion

Not every meaningful love name needs to translate literally as “love.” Some names communicate related ideas such as affection, preciousness, kindness, loyalty, or joy.
For instance, Ae jin can connect love with something precious or genuine. Meanwhile, Ae hwa combines love with a flower, creating a softer romantic image. Jeong ae brings together virtue or loyalty and love.
This distinction matters because it lets you choose a name based on the kind of love you want it to represent.
Different Shades of Love
| Name | Core Idea | Emotional Impression |
| Sarang | Love | Direct and heartfelt |
| Dasom | Love | Poetic and distinctive |
| Ae jin | Love + precious/genuine | Sincere and treasured |
| Ae mi | Love + beauty | Gentle and graceful |
| Ae hwa | Love + flower | Romantic and delicate |
| Ji ae | Wisdom + love | Thoughtful and warm |
| Jeong ae | Virtue + love | Loyal and traditional |
Rare Korean Names Meaning Love

If you want something less obvious than Sarang, several Hanja based options offer distinctive combinations.
Ae hwa (애화) combines 愛, meaning love or affection, with 花, meaning flower. Behind the Name marks the name as rare.
Ae a (애아) combines 愛 with 娥, which can mean pretty, lovely, good, or beautiful. The entry is described as extremely rare, with only one recorded bearer as of 2019 in the cited source.
Ae won (애원) combines 愛 with 原, associated with source, origin, or beginning, and is also marked rare.
Because rarity can vary by generation and location, it is better to describe these names as rare in the cited naming data rather than claim that they are universally rare in Korea.
Rare Love Related Choices
| Name | Hanja | Meaning | Style |
| Ae a | 愛娥 | Love + beautiful/lovely | Very rare |
| Ae hwa | 愛花 | Love + flower | Romantic |
| Ae won | 愛原 | Love + origin/source | Unusual |
| Ae shim | 愛沈 | Love + sink/submerge | Uncommon |
| Ae suk | 愛淑 | Love + virtuous/pure | Traditional |
Some of these entries have multiple possible Hanja combinations, so verify the intended characters before using a particular interpretation.
Modern Korean Names With Love Meanings
Modern Korean naming includes both traditional Hanja based names and names drawn from native Korean vocabulary.
Sarang represents the clearest modern example because the word remains part of everyday Korean vocabulary and also functions as a given name.
Dasom offers another modern naming option, although its underlying word is described as obsolete in ordinary Korean vocabulary.
If you prefer a name with a more hidden meaning, an Ae name can place the love symbolism inside the Hanja rather than making the word “love” immediately obvious.
Modern vs. Traditional Feel
| Name | Meaning Route | Style |
| Sarang | Native Korean word | Modern, direct |
| Dasom | Older native Korean word | Modern, poetic |
| Ae jin | Hanja | Traditional, elegant |
| Ji ae | Hanja | Classic, meaningful |
| Ae hwa | Hanja | Rare, romantic |
| Hui seon | Hanja | Traditional, warm |
How to Choose a Korean Name Meaning Love
Choosing a meaningful Korean name involves more than finding an attractive translation. First, decide how directly you want the name to express love.
If you want everyone familiar with Korean to recognize the meaning immediately, Sarang offers the clearest connection because 사랑 literally means love and affection.
On the other hand, if you prefer a subtler meaning, choose a Hanja based name. For example, Ae jin can connect love with preciousness or genuineness, while Ji ae combines wisdom and love.
Also, check the exact Korean spelling and Hanja. Two names that sound similar can carry very different meanings when different characters are used.
Questions to Ask Before Choosing
- Do you want the name to literally mean “love”?
- Would you prefer a native Korean name or a Hanja based name?
- Do you want the meaning to be obvious or subtle?
- Does the Korean pronunciation feel natural to you?
- Are you using the name for a baby, character, username, or another purpose?
- Have you confirmed the exact Hanja spelling?
- Does the name work naturally with the intended surname?
Korean Love Names by Style
Different names create different impressions. Therefore, your preferred style can help narrow the list.
| Style | Names to Consider | Why |
| Direct | Sarang | Literally connected to love |
| Poetic | Dasom | Older native Korean love word |
| Elegant | Ae jin | Love + precious/genuine |
| Romantic | Ae hwa | Love + flower |
| Thoughtful | Ji ae | Wisdom + love |
| Traditional | Jeong ae | Virtue/loyalty + love |
| Simple | Ae | Love/affection in one syllable |
Important Note About Korean Name Meanings
Korean names require careful interpretation because Hangul spelling does not always determine one fixed meaning.
For Hanja based names, the same syllable can correspond to different Chinese characters. As a result, the meaning changes according to the Hanja chosen. Behind the Name specifically notes that Korean names can have multiple meanings depending on the Korean characters used.
For this reason, a name such as Ae jin should not automatically receive one universal meaning. The characters 愛珍 and 愛眞, for example, produce slightly different interpretations.
Native Korean names work differently. Sarang is directly connected to the Korean vocabulary word 사랑, which carries meanings related to romantic love, affection, caring, and deep fondness.
10 FAQs About Korean Names Meaning Love
1. What Korean name means love?
Sarang (사랑) is the clearest Korean name connected directly to the meaning “love.” In Korean, 사랑 means love and affection.
2. Is Sarang a Korean name?
Yes. Sarang is documented as a modern Korean name used for both females and males. It comes from the native Korean word 사랑, meaning “love” or “affection.”
3. What does Dasom mean in Korean?
Dasom (다솜) comes from an obsolete native Korean word meaning “love.” Modern Korean uses sarang as the ordinary word for love instead.
4. What Korean girl name means love?
Ae (애) is a Korean feminine name that can use the Hanja 愛, meaning “love” or “affection.” Other options include Ae jin, Ae mi, Ji ae, and Jeong ae.
5. What does Ae mean in Korean names?
When written with 愛, Ae means “love” or “affection.” However, Korean names can use different Hanja for the same pronunciation, so the exact characters matter.
6. What does Ae jin mean?
One documented form of Ae jin (애진) combines 愛, meaning “love,” with 珍, meaning “precious” or “rare.” Another form uses 眞, meaning “real” or “genuine.”
7. What does Ae mi mean?
Ae mi (애미) can use 愛 for “love” and 美 for “beautiful,” giving the name a meaning connected with love and beauty.
8. Is Dasom a girl or boy name?
Dasom is documented with both feminine and masculine usage. Therefore, it can work as a gender neutral Korean name.
9. What Korean name means love and beauty?
Ae mi can express “love” through 愛 and “beauty” through 美. Ae hwa offers another romantic combination by pairing love with the Hanja for flower.
10. Do Korean names have different meanings depending on Hanja?
Yes. Korean names that use Hanja can have different meanings depending on which characters the family chooses. Therefore, you should verify the exact Hanja before assigning a definitive meaning to a Korean name.
Key Takeaways
- Sarang (사랑) is the most direct Korean name connected with “love.”
- Dasom (다솜) comes from an obsolete native Korean word meaning love.
- Ae (愛) means love or affection when this Hanja is used.
- Ae jin can combine love with preciousness or genuineness.
- Ae mi connects love with beauty.
- Ae hwa combines love with the idea of a flower.
- Ji ae combines wisdom with love.
- Jeong ae connects virtue or loyalty with love.
- Sarang and Dasom offer gender neutral options.
- Always check the exact Hanja, because Korean name meanings can change with different characters.
Conclusion
Korean names meaning love range from direct native Korean choices to subtle Hanja based names. Sarang provides the clearest expression because 사랑 directly means love and affection in Korean. Meanwhile, Dasom offers a more distinctive native Korean choice with an older connection to the same meaning. For a name with a less obvious meaning, Hanja based choices such as Ae jin, Ae mi, Ae hwa, Ji ae, and Jeong ae offer different combinations of love with qualities such as beauty, preciousness, wisdom, flowers, and loyalty. Ultimately, the best choice depends on whether you want a name that openly expresses love or one that carries love as a more personal meaning beneath its Korean pronunciation and Hanja.

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