Hyun is a name of Korean origin, derived from the Korean surname "Hyun." The Hyun family name is one of the most common surnames in Korea, ranking as the fourth most popular among the country's estimated 20 million residents.
The meaning and history behind the name Hyun are quite fascinating. According to Korean traditions, names were often given based on the circumstances surrounding a person's birth or their parents' wishes for their child's future. In the case of Hyun, the surname is said to have originated from the district where its earliest known ancestors resided during the Three Kingdoms period (57 BCE - 668 CE). The character "Hyun" itself translates to "smooth and even," reflecting the flat terrain of the district that bore this name.
Throughout history, many notable individuals have carried the Hyun surname. Some examples include Hyun Tae-jun, a former Korean football player who represented South Korea at the 1994 FIFA World Cup; Hyun Bin, an acclaimed South Korean actor known for his roles in popular television dramas like "Secret Garden" and "Crash Landing On You"; and Hyun Ki-min, a renowned South Korean pianist who won first prize at the Busoni International Piano Competition in Italy.
While Hyun is primarily a surname, it has also been used as a given name in modern times. Parents may choose this name for their children due to its positive connotations or simply because they like how it sounds. Regardless of whether it's used as a surname or given name, Hyun carries with it a rich history and cultural significance that reflects the vibrant heritage of Korea.
The name Hyun experienced fluctuations in popularity over the decades, with peaks occurring in the late 1970s to early 1980s and again in the mid-1990s. The total number of births with this name is 168 across the years provided.