Jin-ho

Jin-ho is a Korean given name, typically masculine, composed of two Sino-Korean morphemes. The jin element often derives from the hanja 珍 (jin), meaning "precious" or "rare", while the ho element frequently comes from 浩 (ho), meaning "great, numerous, vast". However, Jin-ho can be written with various hanja character combinations, and the specific meaning varies accordingly. As a result, multiple individuals share the same Romanized spelling but may have different hanja representing different nuances.

Historical and Cultural Context

Jin-ho has seen fluctuating popularity in South Korea over the decades. It was the eighth most popular name for baby boys in 1960, slipped out of the top ten by 1970, and returned to seventh place in 1980. This pattern reflects broader trends in Korean naming conventions, where traditional two-syllable given names (often based on hanja) have remained common despite shifts in fashion. The name is also sometimes spelled Chin-ho following older Romanization systems (e.g., McCune–Reischauer), though the Revised Romanization of Korean (which favors “Jin-ho”) is now standard in South Korea.

Notable Bearers

Entertainers

• Choi Jin-ho (born 1968) – a South Korean actor known for his roles in film and television.
• Kim Jin-ho (born 1986) – a South Korean male singer who participated in the talent show Superstar K.
• Jinho (born Jo Jin-ho, 1992) – a singer and member of the K-pop boy band Pentagon; also a contestant on MIXNINE and the musical team SM The Ballad.

Sportspeople

• Kim Jin-ho (born 1961) – a South Korean female archer who won an Olympic gold medal in the team event at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and set multiple world records.
• Cho Jin-ho (1973–2017) – a South Korean male football midfielder who later became a coach.
• Cho Jin-ho (born 1975) – a South Korean male baseball pitcher who played for the LG Twins in the KBO League.
• Sin Jin-ho (born 1988) – a South Korean football midfielder who played for clubs such as FC Seoul and Gangwon FC.

The name appears across a wide range of fields, including acting, singing, football, baseball, and sports shooting, illustrating its enduring cross-generational appeal. Many bearers are internationally known, especially from Korea's strong presence in K-pop and professional sports.

Key Facts

• Meaning: “precious” and “vast” (typical hanja reading) or other combinations
• Origin: Sino-Korean
• Type: Masculine given name (can be unisex but predominantly male)
• Usage Regions: South Korea, also used among ethnic Koreans worldwide
• Variants/Hanja: Multiple hanja sets, including 珍-浩, 鎭-昊, etc.