Kwang first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Kwang has been for the last 1 years (from 1978 to 1978) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Kwang

A Korean name meaning "light" or "bright".

Popularity of Kwang by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Kwang is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1978, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Kwang.

Year Male Count Female Count
1978 5 0

The history of the first name Kwang

The name Kwang is of Korean origin, derived from the Chinese characters 光 (gwang), meaning "light" or "bright." It is a widely used name in Korea, often given to express the hope that the child will bring radiance and illumination to the world.

In ancient Korean and Chinese cultures, light was seen as a symbol of knowledge, wisdom, and enlightenment. The name Kwang was often associated with scholars, philosophers, and those who sought to dispel the darkness of ignorance.

The earliest recorded use of the name Kwang can be traced back to the Goryeo Dynasty in Korea (918-1392 CE). During this period, the name was particularly popular among the noble and scholarly classes.

One of the most famous historical figures bearing the name Kwang was Kwang Gae-to (948-1032 CE), a renowned Korean scholar and statesman during the Goryeo Dynasty. He was known for his contributions to the development of Korean literature and his efforts to promote Confucian ideals.

Another notable individual with the name Kwang was Kwang Hyun (1628-1711 CE), a Korean Neo-Confucian scholar and philosopher. He was a prominent figure in the Silhak (Practical Learning) movement, which aimed to apply Confucian principles to practical aspects of life.

In the realm of religion, Kwang Jo Sunim (1932-2018 CE) was a revered Korean Zen Buddhist monk and teacher. He played a significant role in the revival and spread of Zen Buddhism in Korea and abroad.

Kwang Soo Seo (1918-1983 CE) was a celebrated Korean painter and calligrapher, known for his innovative techniques and contributions to modern Korean art.

Kwang Tae Kim (1935-2017 CE) was a renowned South Korean engineer and inventor, best known for his work on the development of liquid crystal displays (LCDs), a technology that revolutionized the electronics industry.

The name Kwang continues to be a popular choice for Korean parents, carrying the hopes and aspirations for their children to lead enlightened lives and contribute to the betterment of society.

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 Kwang was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Kwang first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on November 3, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/kwang-meaning-and-history/.

"Kwang first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/kwang-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 3 November, 2025

Kwang first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/kwang-meaning-and-history/.

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