70+ Cute Korean Nicknames & Terms of Endearment (with Meanings)

Looking for a cute and affectionate Korean nickname for your loved one? We’ve got you covered! In this article, we’re providing the ultimate list of Korean nicknames, pet names, and terms of endearment for boys and girls. We’ll also offer tips on creating a Korean nickname that reflects their personality and vibe. Keep reading for nicknames for partners, friends, and family members.

The Top Korean Nicknames for Loved Ones

An illustration of affectionate Korean nicknames for boys and girls.

Generally, Koreans use honorific titles as nicknames for friends and family, such as “unnie” (older sister/female friend) or “hyung” (older brother/male friend). For romantic partners, “yeobo” (honey or darling), “aein” (sweetheart), or “aegiya” (baby) are common.

Section 1 of 6:

Romantic Korean Nicknames for Partners

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Choose an ultra-adorable Korean pet name to show affection. If you’re looking for a romantic nickname to express love, look no further. These sweet pet names and terms of endearment are sure to deepen your connection and make your partner feel cherished:
- Aegiya (애기야): “Baby.”
- Aein (애인): “Sweetheart.”
- Aera (애라): “Love.”
- Gongjunim (공주님): “Princess.”
- Haebaragi (해바라기): “Sunflower.”
- Haru (하루): “A day.”
- Jagiya (자기야): “Honey, Babe.”
- Nabi (나비): “Butterfly.”
- Naekkeo (내꺼): “Mine or “my sweetheart.”
- Nae Sarang (내 사랑): “My love.”
- Namchin (남친): Slang for “boyfriend.”
- Namja chingu (남자 친구): “Boyfriend.”
- Oppa (오빠): “Older brother” (from a younger female to her boyfriend).
- Seobangnim (서방님): “Husband.”
- Wangjanim (왕자님): “Prince.”
- Yeobo (여보): “Darling, Honey.”
- Yeoja chingu (여자 친구): “Girlfriend.”
- Yeochin (여친): Slang for “girlfriend.”
- Yeonin (연인): “Sweetheart.”

Section 2 of 6:

Korean Nicknames for Friends

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Check out these common Korean nicknames for friends. Most Koreans use honorifics when addressing their friends to show respect and closeness. Here are the most popular nicknames, along with when to use them:
- Chingu (친구): “Friend” (general term).
- Oppa (오빠): “Older brother” (used by younger female to older male friend).
- Noona (누나): “Older sister” (used by younger male to older female friend).
- Unnie (언니): “Older sister” (used by younger female to older female friend).
- Hyung (형): “Older brother” (used by younger male to older male friend).
- Dongsaeng (동생): “Younger friend” (general term).

Section 3 of 6:

Korean Nicknames for Family Members

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Stick to these traditional Korean nicknames for family members. Korean family nicknames are based on age and gender, which can get a little confusing. Here’s a helpful breakdown of how to address parents, grandparents, siblings, and more:
- Abeoji (아버지): “Dad” (formal).
- Appa (아빠): “Dad” (informal).
- Eomma (엄마): “Mom” (informal).
- Eomoni (어머니): “Mom” (formal).
- Hyung (형): “Older brother” (from a younger brother).
- Noona (누나): “Older sister” (from a younger brother).
- Oppa (오빠): “Older brother” (from a younger sister).
- Unnie (언니): “Older sister” (from a younger sister).
- Dongsaeng (동생): “Younger sibling.”
- Namdongsaeng (남동생): “Younger brother.”
- Yeodongsaeng (여동생): “Younger sister.”
- Harabeoji (할아버지): “Paternal grandpa.”
- Halmeoni (할머니): “Paternal grandma.”
- Oehalabeoji (외할아버지): “Maternal grandpa.”
- Oehalmeoni (외할머니): “Materal grandma.”
- Gomo (고모): “Paternal aunt.”
- Imo (이모): “Maternal aunt.”
- Samchon (삼촌): A more common way to say “uncle” (less formal).
- Oesamchon (외삼촌): “Maternal uncle.”
- Jageunabeoji (작은아버지): “Paternal uncle” (father’s younger brother).
- Keunabeoji (큰아버지): “Paternal uncle” (father’s older brother).
- Keunappa (큰아빠): “Paternal uncle” (father’s older brother).

Section 4 of 6:

Cute Korean Nicknames

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Come up with a cute and playful nickname for your loved ones. Used among friends and family, cute nicknames show affection and closeness. Here are some common examples, along with their meanings:
- Babo (바보): “Dummy” or “idiot” (can be affectionate).
- Byeol (별): “Star.”
- Chaekbeolre (책벌레): “Bookworm.”
- Dubu (두부): “Tofu.”
- Gang-aji (강아지): “Puppy.”
- Geimwang (게임왕): “Game king.”
- Gomdori (곰돌이): “Teddy bear.”
- Gwiyomi (귀요미): “Cutie.”
- Jamtaengi (잠탱이): “Sleepyhead.”
- Kkomaengi (꼬맹이): “Little one” or “kid.”
- Kkulbeol (꿀벌): “Honeybee.”
- Mandu (만두): “Dumpling.”
- Mongi (몽이): “Dreamer.”
- Simsuljaengi (심술쟁이): “Grumpy person.”
- Tokki (토끼): “Bunny.”

Section 5 of 6:

Appearance-Based Korean Nicknames

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Opt for an appearance-based nickname to add a personal touch. Incorporating someone’s features or overall vibe into a nickname is one of the best ways to personalize it. Here are some fun and friendly ideas, along with what they mean:
- Dwaeji (돼지): “Pig” (affectionate for someone who enjoys eating or has chubby cheeks).
- Girin (기린): “Giraffe” (for tall people).
- Inhyeong (인형): “Doll.”
- Jeonbotdae (전봇대): “Energy pole” (for very tall people).
- Jjokkkomi (쪼꼬미): “Tiny one.”
- Kidari (키다리): “High legs” (for tall people).
- Longdari (롱다리): “Long legs” (for tall people).
- Syotdari (숏다리): “Short legs” (for short people).
- Tajo (타조): “Ostrich” (for tall people).
- Ttangkong (땅콩): “Peanut” (for short people).
- Yeppeuni (예쁜이): “Pretty one” (for a woman).

Section 6 of 6:

How to Create Your Own Korean Nickname

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Pick a nickname that’s personal, affectionate, and easy to say. Think of the other person’s traits, inside jokes, or playful slang to come up with the perfect nickname. You might abbreviate their name, write it phonetically to make it sound cuter, or slightly alter the pronunciation to show closeness. For example, an affectionate nickname for Jimin (박지민) could be “Jimini” (지민이).
- Keep in mind that tone and relationship are extremely important in Korea. If you’re not close to the other person or younger than them, you probably want to hold off on nicknames!
- Comedian Manny Garavito says, “Find ways to make the person feel like they’re in on the joke and [that the nickname] adds character to who they are. It binds the friendship through the moniker.”^{[1]
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