Find out how popular the first name Hyun has been for the last 43 years (from 1974 to 2016) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Hyun by gender

Based on the last 43 years of data, Hyun is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 64% of people named Hyun being male.

For the most recent data in 2016, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Hyun.

The history of the first name Hyun

The name Hyun has its origins in the Korean language and culture. It is derived from the Korean word "hyeon" which means "wise" or "prudent." The name dates back several centuries, with its earliest recorded use found in historical records and literature from the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392 CE).

One of the earliest references to the name Hyun can be found in the Samguk Sagi, a historical record of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, compiled in 1145 CE. The text mentions a prominent scholar and official named Hyun Hui (861-935 CE), who served during the late Silla period.

During the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897 CE), the name Hyun gained popularity among the yangban class, the aristocratic elite of Korean society. It was often given to sons with the hope that they would grow up to be wise and virtuous leaders.

One notable figure from this period was Hyun Bong-hak (1551-1615 CE), a renowned scholar and calligrapher who served as a royal tutor during the reign of King Seonjo.

In more recent history, the name Hyun has been borne by several influential individuals, including Hyun Sang-yun (1809-1886 CE), a leader of the Donghak Peasant Revolution, and Hyun Sung-min (1855-1928 CE), a prominent educator and independence activist during the Japanese colonial period.

Other famous individuals with the name Hyun include:

1. Hyun Jin-geon (1639-1701 CE), a Confucian scholar and writer during the Joseon Dynasty.
2. Hyun Seok-ju (1855-1935 CE), a pioneering journalist and independence activist.
3. Hyun Sang-yong (1932-2005 CE), a renowned South Korean poet and literary critic.
4. Hyun Young (1966-present), a South Korean singer and actress.
5. Hyun Bin (1982-present), a popular South Korean actor known for his roles in television dramas and films.

Throughout its history, the name Hyun has carried connotations of wisdom, intelligence, and virtue, reflecting the high regard in which these qualities were held in traditional Korean culture.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Hyun was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Hyun, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!