Meaning & Origin
Kun-woo is a Korean given name, an alternate transcription of the Hangul 건우 (see Geon-u). It is a popular name for boys in South Korea.
Etymology
The name is derived from the Sino-Korean elements 建 meaning "build, establish" and 宇 meaning "house, universe", or 雨 meaning "rain". Other hanja combinations are also possible.
Popularity
Kun-woo (and its variants) has been widely used in South Korea. In 2008, it ranked as the sixth most popular name for newborn boys, with 1,722 babies given the name.
Notable Bearers
Kun-Woo Paik (born 1946), South Korean pianist
Lee Kunwoo (born 1955), South Korean engineer and academic
Kim Kun-woo (born 1980), South Korean track and field athlete
Cho Gun-woo (born 1988), South Korean badminton player
Kim Kwon (born Kim Keon-woo, 1989), South Korean actor
Lee Gun-woo (born 1989), South Korean singer and actor, member of Myname
Lee Geon-u (born 2000), South Korean bobsledder
Park Keon-woo (born 1991), South Korean track cyclist
Cultural Significance
The name appears in South Korean popular culture, such as the character Kang Gun-woo in the 2008 television series Beethoven Virus and Min Gun-woo in another series.
Variants
Common variant spellings include Geon-u and Gun-woo, representing alternate Romanizations of the same Hangul.
Meaning: "build, establish" + "house, universe" or "rain" (depending on hanja)
Origin: Korean (Sino-Korean)
Type: First name
Usage regions: South Korea