Kim (Korean: 김, hanja: 金) is the most widespread family name in Korea. The character 金 literally means "gold" and is the same character used in Chinese and Japanese surnames pronounced Jin and Kin respectively. In modern usage the name appears most often in the romanized form "Kim," though the official Revised Romanization of Korean renders it as "Gim." For basic demographic context, Kim is by far the largest Korean surname and is treated in population studies as a major cultural marker in both South and North Korea. More on prevalence

Clans and historical origins

Korean surnames are subdivided into clans (bon-gwan), which indicate ancestral seats rather than immediate family. Many people named Kim belong to different bon-gwan with separate founding ancestors and origin myths. Major Kim clans include:

  • Gimhae Kim — traditionally linked to the Geumgwan Gaya royal line.
  • Gyeongju Kim — associated with the royal family of the ancient Silla kingdom.
  • Andong Kim and Yeongju Kim — prominent yangban (noble) lineages from later periods.

These clans developed independent genealogies and local identities over centuries, and members of different Kim clans are not considered close kin simply because they share the same surname.

In South Korea, the surname Kim is especially common: in 2015 more than 10 million South Koreans bore the name, accounting for roughly one in five people in that country. Population figures emphasize how a few family names dominate Korean society compared with many other cultures. Romanization varies: "Kim" remains the dominant form in international use, while linguistic reforms prefer "Gim." Legally, Korean women customarily retain their family name after marriage, so the surname continues across households without changing by marriage.

Notable associations and cultural significance

The surname Kim appears among a vast number of public figures in politics, culture, science and the arts. It is also the name of North Korea's ruling family, a fact that gives the name special contemporary visibility in international affairs. Political and historical notes Beyond politics, the many Kim clans have produced scholars, literati, and leaders throughout Korean history, which contributes to the surname's prominence in literature and popular culture.

Because the name is so widespread, identifying a person's ancestry in Korea commonly relies on their bon-gwan and documented genealogy rather than the surname alone. This system of surnames and clans remains an important element of Korean identity and historical memory.