Holding steady, #12,008 for boys today.
Popularity of Hyun since 1957
Babies named Hyun per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 5 | 0 |
| 1960s | 5 | 0 |
| 1970s | 54 | 34 |
| 1980s | 59 | 87 |
| 1990s | 45 | 87 |
| 2000s | 0 | 51 |
| 2010s | 0 | 5 |
| 2020s | 0 | 5 |
Meaning & origin
Hyun is a Korean name that entered the U.S. naming pool in 1972, first recorded at that time. Despite modest ranks in recent years (12,008 in 2025), it achieved its highest popularity in 1989. The name is predominantly given to boys in the U.S., though it remains gender-neutral in Korea. The trajectory is stable, indicating consistent but niche usage without significant swings.
Hyun is a common element in Korean given names, derived from Sino-Korean hanja characters meaning 'virtuous,' 'worthy,' 'wise,' or 'distinguished.' As a standalone name, it has been used both for boys and girls, though in the United States it has been recorded predominantly for males since 1972. The name's usage in Korea is widespread, often as part of compound names or as a single-syllable name.
Sibling names for Hyun
Names that share Hyun's style, for a brother or sister.
