Ji-hu (also spelled Ji-hoo) is a Korean given name. It is typically composed of two Sino-Korean syllables: ji (智) meaning "wisdom, intellect" and hu (厚) meaning "thick" or "generous." However, other combinations of hanja characters can also form this name, as is common in Korean naming practices.
Popularity
Ji-hu was notably popular in South Korea during the late 2000s and early 2010s. In 2009, it was the second-most common name for newborn boys, with 2,159 infants receiving the name. By 2015, its popularity had declined modestly to ninth place, with 1,968 boys given the name. This peak likely reflects the influence of cultural trends and media portrayals of characters with this name.
Notable Bearers
Several South Korean entertainers bear this name. Actor Yeon Woo-jin (born 1984) originally used the stage name Seo Ji-hoo before changing it. Singer Han Ji-hoo (born 1988) was a member of the Korean pop group Supernova. Actress Park Ji-hu (born 2003) is known as a rising talent in film and television. In fiction, Yoon Ji-hoo appears as a central character in the 2009 drama Boys Over Flowers, which popularized the name. Another fictional bearer, Jeon Ji-hoo, appears in the 2013 series Incarnation of Money.
Cultural Context
Korean given names often derive from hanja, the Korean adaptation of Chinese characters. While Ji-hu is predominantly a male name, the statistics only track registered births, so the gender use in recorded data may vary. The combination of "wisdom" and "thick" (often interpreted as "generous" or "sincere") reflects traditional virtues valued in Korean society.
- Meaning: "Wisdom and thickness/generosity" (one common interpretation)
- Origin: Sino-Korean, but also any hanja combinations
- Type: Given name (unisex, predominantly male)
- Usage Regions: South Korea
Sources: Wikipedia — Ji-hu