The unique names of many groups and artists is among the most distinctive and recognizable aspects of K-Pop, and it’s often a manifesto of what they want to represent. Some names are linked to a group’s philosophy or worldview, others represent their identity, while a few have been chosen simply because they’re fun and unforgettable. However, while many names are easy to understand, some might seem weird or perplexing, until you understand the real meaning behind them. Here you will find an explanation of the origin and meaning of the names of K-Pop groups and the stage names of K-Pop idols. This is a work in progress, and more artists will be added over time.
The artists here reflect the ones included in the introductory guide to K-Pop groups. If you want to know the meaning of the names of more groups and soloists, check out the following articles. Artists are subdivided in the same way as they are in their respective introductory guides.
The origin and meaning of the names of K-Pop girl groups
The origin and meaning of the names of K-Pop boy groups
The origin and meaning of the names of K-Pop co-ed groups
The origin and meaning of the names of K-Pop female soloists
The origin and meaning of the names of K-Pop male soloists
aespa
aespa comes from a combination of “æ”, meaning “Avatar X Experience”, and “aspect”. Overall, the name means that fans would be able to experience a new world through an avatar of themselves.
Members:
- Karina – from her baptismal name: Katarina.
- Giselle – chosen as a name that fits her elegance and multicultural background while also showing international appeal.
- Winter – chosen because of her pure and elegant image, and also because her birthday is on January 1st.
- Ningning – from her real name: Ning Yizhuo. She is from China, and in Chinese languages reduplicating a syllable is a common way to form an affectionate or cute nickname.
Blackpink
A combination of “black” and “pink”, representing the two sides of the group. Pink portrays beauty and softness, while black represents strength and confidence.
Members:
- Jisoo – real name: Kim Jisoo.
- Jennie – real name: Kim Jennie.
- Rosé – shortening of her real name: Roseanne Park.
- Lisa – shortening of her legal name: Lalisa Manobal. She was born Pranpriya Manobal, but following the advice of a fortune teller, her name was changed to Lalisa, meaning “the one who is praised”.
BTS
BTS is an acronym of the Korean phrase 방탄소년단 (bangtan sonyeondan), meaning “Bulletproof Boy Scouts”. This name represents the group’s desire to block out stereotypes and expectations that aim at adolescents like bullets. In 2017 they added they announced that BTS would also stand for “Beyond the Scene”, representing the idea of growing from boys to adults while opening new doors.
Members:
- Jin – from his real name: Kim Seokjin.
- Suga – derived from the first syllables of “shooting guard” (shoo-gua -> su-ga), the basketball position he played during his school years.
- J‑Hope – J comes from the first letter of his last name: Jung. Hope represents his desire of brining hope to his fans.
- RM – acronym of “Rap Monster”. In 2017, he declared that this name doesn’t represent him anymore, and could instead symbolize other meanings, such as “Real Me”.
- Jimin – real name: Park Jimin.
- V – stands for “Victory”.
- Jung Kook – real name: Jeon Jungkook.
Exo
Exo is a shortening of “exoplanet”, a planet found outside the Solar System.
Members:
- Xiumin – Xiu comes from the Hanja character 秀 (xiu), which means “outstanding, excellent”. Min comes from his real name: Kim Minseok.
- Suho – in Korean 수호 (suho) means “guardian”, reflecting his role as the protective and responsible leader of the group.
- Lay – inspired by the character Huaze Lei from Taiwanese TV series Meteor Garden, who is known for being artistic and musically talented.
- Baekhyun – real name: Byun Baekhyun.
- Chen – from a Korean adaptation of the syllable “Zhong” in his Chinese name, Jin Zhongda, which in turn is a Chinese adaptation of his real Korean name: Kim Jongdae.
- Chanyeol – real name: Park Chanyeol.
- D.O. – derived from his surname: Do.
- Kai – from the Chinese character 开 (kai), meaning “to start, to open”, representing ideas such as starting a new era with his debut and opening himself to fans.
- Sehun – real name: Oh Sehun.
Former members:
- Luhan – real name: Lu Han.
- Kris – no official explanation, might have been adopted as an easy Western-sounding name to reflect his Chinese-Canadian background.
- Tao – from his real name: Huang Zitao.
Itzy
In Korean, Itzy is written as 있지 (itji), which means “to have”. This represents the idea that they have everything the fans want.
Members:
- Yeji – real name: Hwang Yeji.
- Lia – from her English name: Julia Choi.
- Ryujin – real name: Shin Ryujin.
- Chaeryeong – real name: Lee Chaeryeong.
- Yuna – real name: Shin Yuna.
Red Velvet
The name represents the two images of the group, named “Red” and “Velvet”, which are reflected in their music. The “Red” side is vivid and vibrant, while the “Velvet” side is classy and mature.
Members:
- Irene – from Eirene, the personification and goddess of peace in Greek mythology.
- Seulgi – real name: Kang Seulgi.
- Wendy – from her English name: Wendy Son.
- Joy – chosen for her bright smile and her cheerful personality.
- Yeri – from her real name: Kim Yerim
Seventeen
Derived by adding up 13 members + 3 teams + 1 group, representing how the 13 members are divided into three different teams and come together to form one group. Originally, Seventeen was meant to debut with 17 members, and even though plans changed, the name remained the same and got a new meaning.
Members:
- S.Coups – S comes from his real name: Choi Seungcheol. Coups comes from “coup d’état”, with the idea of having a quick and successful takeover.
- Jeonghan – real name: Yoon Jeonghan.
- Joshua – real name: Joshua Hong.
- Jun – from his real name: Wen Junhui.
- Hoshi – from the Japanese word 星 (hoshi), meaning “star”.
- Wonwoo – real name: Jeon Wonwoo.
- Woozi – from the affectionate nickname 우리 지훈 (uri jihoon), meaning “our Jihoon” (u-ji -> woo-zi), from his real name: Lee Jihoon.
- DK – from his Korean stage name, 도겸 (Dokyeom), which comes from 도 (do), meaning “road”, and 겸 (gyeom), meaning “multitasker”. This represents the idea of being an entertainer with many talents.
- Mingyu – real name: Kim Mingyu.
- The8 – from the number 8, which represents good fortune in Chinese culture, as well as the infinity symbol ∞, together meaning “infinity luck” or “everlasting success”.
- Seungkwan – real name: Boo Seungkwan.
- Vernon – real name: Hansol Vernon Chwe.
- Dino – shortening of “dinosaur”, chosen to represent his desire to dominate the stage.
Stray Kids
The name originally referred to the the concept of being lost children who are chasing their dreams, and over time evolved to represent the idea of finding a way out of the ordinary.
Members:
- Bang Chan – from his real name: Christopher Chahn Bahng.
- Lee Know – Lee comes from his real name: Lee Minho. Know was chosen because together with Lee, it sounds similar to his real name, Minho.
- Changbin – real name: Seo Changbin.
- Hyunjin – real name: Hwang Hyunjin.
- Han – from his real name: Han Jisung.
- Felix – real name: Felix Lee.
- Seungmin – real name: Kim Seungmin.
- I.N – from the last syllable of his real name: Yang Jeongin (in -> I.N).
Former members:
- Woojin – real name: Kim Woojin.
Tomorrow X Together (TXT)
The name (which is pronounced as “tomorrow by together”) refers to how they came together to build a better tomorrow. Their name is commonly abbreviated to TXT, an acronym of their full name.
Members:
- Yeonjun – real name: Choi Yeonjun.
- Soobin – real name: Choi Soobin.
- Beomgyu – real name: Choi Beomgyu.
- Taehyun – real name: Kang Taehyun.
- Hueningkai – from his real name: Kai Kamal Huening.
Twice
The name Twice comes from the idea that the group will touch the hearts of fans twice, once through the ears, and once through the eyes.
Members:
- Nayeon – real name: Im Nayeon.
- Jeongyeon – legal name: Yoo Jeongyeon. She was born as Yoo Kyungwan, but changed her name during her childhood because she was teased for her birth name sounding too masculine.
- Momo – real name: Hirai Momo.
- Sana – real name: Minatozaki Sana.
- Jihyo – legal name: Park Jihyo. She was born as Park Jisoo, but changed her name before her debut to establish a unique identity, as Jisoo was already a common name among idols.
- Mina – real name: Myoui Mina.
- Dahyun – real name: Kim Dahyun.
- Chaeyoung – real name: Son Chaeyoung.
- Tzuyu – real name: Chou Tzuyu.