Holding steady.
Popularity of Yoon since 1978
Babies named Yoon per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 6 | 0 |
| 1980s | 18 | 23 |
| 1990s | 0 | 37 |
| 2000s | 5 | 6 |
| 2010s | 0 | 14 |
| 2020s | 10 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Yoon is a Korean unisex name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1984. Though it has never cracked the top 1000, it reached its peak popularity in 2013, the same year that saw a broader interest in short, vowel-ending names. The name has remained stable in usage since the 2010s, with no major trajectory changes. As a two-syllable name spelled with four letters, it fits contemporary naming trends favoring brevity and cross-cultural appeal. Yoon is among the most recognizable Korean names in English, partly due to its association with the common Korean surname Yoon. Despite its low frequency, its unisex nature and simple pronunciation make it a distinctive choice.
Yoon is a common Korean surname and given name. As a given name, it can be written with various hanja (Sino-Korean characters) such as 允 meaning 'permit' or 'allow', or 尹 meaning 'govern' or 'director', among others. The use as a given name in English-speaking contexts has grown since the late 20th century, often chosen for its simple two-letter spelling and unisex appeal.
Sibling names for Yoon
Names that share Yoon's style, for a brother or sister.
