Young-hee is a Korean feminine given name. It is an alternate transcription of the Korean Hangul 영희, which is typically romanized as Yeong-hui. The name was extremely popular in mid-20th-century South Korea, ranking third among newborn girls in 1950 and falling to ninth place by 1960.
Etymology and Meaning
The name Young-hee is composed of two Sino-Korean elements. The first syllable, yeong, can be written with hanja characters such as 英 meaning "flower, petal, brave, hero" or 泳 meaning "dive, swim". The second syllable, hui, often uses characters like 姬 meaning "beauty" or 嬉 meaning "enjoy, play". Numerous other hanja combinations are possible, giving the name a range of meanings. The element hui specifically carries connotations of grace and attractiveness.
Notable Bearers
Several notable individuals bear the name Young-hee, spanning various fields:
- Young**hee in North Korean context**: Ko Yong-hui (also Romanized as Go Yeong-hui) was a North Korean dancer and the mistress of Kim Jong-il, as well as the mother of Kim Jong-un. Her name is commonly transliterated as Ko Yong-hui rather than Young-hee, yet it reflects the same Hangul spelling.
- Arts and Design: Lee Young-hee (1936–2018) was a renowned South Korean hanbok designer who promoted traditional Korean clothing internationally. Another Lee Young-hee (born 1955) is a prominent physicist. Writer Chang Young-hee (1952–2009) was a noted South Korean author. Composer Younghi Pagh-Paan (born 1945), though her surname differs, uses the name Yong-hi.
- Entertainment: Actresses Na Young-hee (born 1961) and Seo Young-hee (born 1980) have appeared in numerous Korean dramas and films. Kim Young-hee (born 1983) is a popular South Korean comedian.
- Sports: The name appears among South Korean athletes, such as Kim Young-hee (speed skater) and Ahn Young-hee (table tennis player), among others.
Cultural Significance
Young-hee was exceedingly common in the mid-20th century, reflecting a trend toward names composed of elegant, virtuous meanings. Its popularity has since declined, but the name remains recognized for its association with the post-war generation. Variant spellings include Young-hi, Yong-hui, and Yong-hi, depending on the romanization system.
- Meaning: Beauty, enjoyment, bravery, or ability (depending on hanja).
- Origin: Korean (Sino-Korean elements).
- Type: Feminine given name.
- Usage regions: South and North Korea.
Sources: Wikipedia — Young-hee