Chung

CHUNG · A common Korean surname and given name element, often indicating 'middle' or 'loyal' depending on the hanja used, but the precise meaning depends on the specific character chosen.

Peak popularity

1982

Usually for

Boys

Trend

Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Chung since 1942

Babies named Chung per year in U.S. Social Security records.

GirlsBoys

Data table (by decade)

Decade	Girls	Boys
1940s	0	5
1950s	0	0
1960s	0	0
1970s	5	42
1980s	6	104
1990s	0	47
2000s	0	0
2010s	0	0
2020s	0	0

Meaning & origin

Chung is a romanized form of the Korean name 정, which can be a surname or given name element. Its earliest recorded use in U.S. Social Security data is 1942, and its peak year of usage was 1982, though it has never ranked in the top 1000 names. The name's trajectory has been stable, reflecting a small but consistent presence over the decades. While it has not cracked any state top lists, it remains a meaningful name within Korean-American families, often chosen for its connection to virtues like loyalty or righteousness.

Chung is a romanization of the Korean surname 정 (also romanized as Jeong or Jong) and a given name element. As a given name, it is typically written with one of several hanja characters, each carrying a distinct meaning, such as 正 (righteous) or 忠 (loyal). The name has been borne by Koreans for centuries, and its usage in the United States reflects Korean diaspora communities, especially since the mid-20th century.

Nicknames & variants

Variants: Jeong, Jong, Cheong

Sibling names for Chung

Names that share Chung's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Hyun, Soo, Min, Eun, Sun

Brothers: Kyung, Sung, Ho, Won, Jin

Questions parents ask

What does the name Chung mean?

The meaning of Chung depends on the hanja (Chinese character) used to write it, but common meanings include 'middle' (中), 'loyal' (忠), or 'righteous' (正).

Is Chung a popular name?

Chung has never been a common name in the United States; it did not rank in the top 1000 for any year. Its peak year of recorded usage was 1982, though it remains in very rare use.

Is Chung a boy or girl name?

Chung is primarily a masculine given name in Korean, though it can be unisex depending on the hanja used. In U.S. data, it is recorded more often for boys.