Young-soo is an alternate transcription of the Korean given name 영수, typically written in Yeong-su form according to the Revised Romanization system. The name is composed of Sino-Korean elements: 영 (yeong) meaning "perpetual, eternal" and 수 (su) meaning "long life, lifespan". Various hanja character combinations are possible, with Yong lasting popularity.
Etymology and history
The element "young" was particularly fashionable in South Korea from the 1940s through the 1960s, with many boys receiving names beginning with it. In 1960, Young-soo ranked as the second most popular name for newborn boys in South Korea, reflecting this trend. The name's meaning—"eternal long life"—reflects ancestral hopes for longevity and prosperity.
Notable bearers
Several prominent individuals have carried this name, spanning diverse fields. From the art world, Joseon Dynasty painter Kim Eung-hwan (1742–1789) bore the courtesy name Yeongsu. In modern literature, South Korean writers O Yeong-su (1909–1979) and Yun Young-su (born 1952) contributed to the national canon. The name is also associated with religious figure John Choi Young-su (1942–2009), Archbishop of Daegu; boxer An Young-su (born 1964) who competed for South Korea; and international athletes like Chun Young-soo (born 1963) on the South Korean national football team and Bae Young-soo (born 1981) as a KBO pitcher. Notable female holders include Yuk Young-soo (1925–1974), wife of dictator Park Chung-hee.
Cultural context
Young-soo and its variant forms remain emblematic of mid-20th century Korean naming conventions. The name today can be used for females but overwhelmingly appears on male registers. Its etymology connects to confucian virtue concepts valorising eternity and life force preserved via sihoe (generative transmission). Composites such as Eui-young, Tae-young mirror emphasis on ethically significant prefixes.
- Meaning: "Eternal long life"
- Origin: Korean (Sino-Korean)
- Usage regions: Korea, global Korean diaspora
Sources: Wikipedia — Young-soo