Ju-won is a Korean unisex given name, typically written with two Sino-Korean syllables. The first syllable, ju, often uses the hanja 周 (ju), meaning "circumference," but other characters like 朱 (vermillion) or 柱 (pillar) are also possible.
The second syllable, won, can be represented by various hanja. Common choices include 元 (won), meaning "first, origin," or 媛 (won), meaning "beautiful woman." Other possibilities include 原 (source) or 遠 (distant). As with many Korean names, any combination of hanja with suitable meanings can be chosen at birth.
The name is also seen in the variant form Joo-won, which uses the romanization "Joo" instead of "Ju." This reflects the McCune–Reischauer system, where the sound is transcribed as "Chu" but in standard Korean romanization it is "Ju." The name has been used in popular culture; for instance, several South Korean celebrities bear the name, such as actor Joo-won (born 1986, his stage name adapted from the given name).
Ju-won is relatively modern and non-historical; its elegant, di-syllabic structure and lofty meanings ("origin," "beauty") align with traditional Korean naming preferences. It can be given to either boys or girls, though the prevalence of specific hanja may lean one gender: won meaning "first" tends to be masculine, while "beautiful woman" is exclusively feminine.
- Meaning: Various, including “circumference-origin” or “circumference-beautiful woman”
- Origin: Korean (Sino-Korean)
- Type: Given name
- Usage regions: South Korea
- Related form: Joo-won