Chung
Primarily a boy's name of Korean origin with 198 recorded births. Also given to 11 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A common surname from Korean.
Chung is a boy's and girl's baby name of Korean origin, from the Korean 정 (Jeong/Chung), meaning 'upright,' 'virtuous,' or 'loyal,' one of the most respected character values in Confucian tradition.
Chung is used both as a surname and a given name in Korean communities worldwide. Its single-syllable directness reflects a naming tradition that values moral character expressed concisely — a name that is itself a life goal.
EtymologyShow more
Chung is built from 5 letters and one syllable — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the Korean naming tradition, this brevity is common among names that have been worn down through centuries of use, shedding syllables along the way.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Chung creates its characteristic sharp, distinct quality. One-syllable names stand out for their directness. Every sound carries weight, making pronunciation and first impressions immediate.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Chung has 24+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1942.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 47 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 104 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 42 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 5 | — |
The Story of Chung
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1982, Chung is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Chung are most likely born between 1972 and 1992.
How rare is Chung?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Chung is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1942, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 1980s with 104 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Chung by the numbers
- Would fill 4 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(24 years, 1942–1996)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 5 | #9244 |
| 1995 | 7 | #7117 |
| 1994 | 7 | #7083 |
| 1993 | 8 | #6305 |
| 1992 | 6 | #7579 |
| 1991 | 6 | #7428 |
| 1990 | 8 | #5918 |
| 1989 | 8 | #5721 |
| 1988 | 12 | #3949 |
| 1987 | 6 | #6235 |
| 1986 | 9 | #4531 |
| 1985 | 7 | #5245 |
| 1984 | 12 | #3498 |
| 1983 | 9 | #4189 |
| 1982 | 17 | #2725 |
| 1981 | 13 | #3248 |
| 1980 | 11 | #3655 |
| 1979 | 7 | #4925 |
| 1978 | 10 | #3645 |
| 1977 | 10 | #3645 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Chung as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Chung has also been given to 11 girls in the U.S. since 1979.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chung a boy's or girl's name?
When was Chung most popular?
How popular is the name Chung?
Can Chung be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1942–1996