Eun
Primarily a girl's name of Korean origin with 285 recorded births. Also given to 5 boys.
Meaning & Origin
Eun peaked during the Millennial wave, when 13 babies received this name in a single year (1985). That era was defined by pop-culture-influenced, individuality-forward naming, and Eun has a more concentrated history, reflecting a specific cultural moment rather than a broad generational wave.
Eun is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Eun is a girl's and boy's baby name of Korean origin, from the Korean 은 meaning 'kindness, silver, grace.' Eun is used as both a standalone name and a combining element in Korean compound names like Eun-ji (graceful wisdom) or Eun-soo (graceful water). It carries the clean, crystalline quality of Korean single-element names.
Eun distills the complex beauty of Korean naming into a single syllable — pure, bright, and carrying the silver-light quality of kindness expressed through a name.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Eun belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their sharp, distinct ending — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. At one syllable, it has a punchy, memorable cadence that makes an immediate impression.
Within the Korean naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Korean names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Eun’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Eun has 36+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1957.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 13 | #13273 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 68 | #10173 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 95 | #7155 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 75 | #7095 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 23 | #6559 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 11 | #6064 | — |
The Story of Eun
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1985, Eun is a Millennial-era classic. Girls named Eun are most likely born between 1975 and 1995.
How rare is Eun?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Eun is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1957, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1980s with 95 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Eun by the numbers
- Would fill 6 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(36 years, 1957–2003)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 7 | #12843 |
| 2000 | 6 | #13702 |
| 1999 | 6 | #13216 |
| 1998 | 7 | #11518 |
| 1997 | 5 | #14455 |
| 1994 | 9 | #9062 |
| 1993 | 13 | #6752 |
| 1992 | 10 | #8270 |
| 1991 | 7 | #10632 |
| 1990 | 11 | #7476 |
| 1989 | 9 | #8252 |
| 1988 | 10 | #7299 |
| 1987 | 10 | #6954 |
| 1986 | 10 | #6758 |
| 1985 | 13 | #5449 |
| 1984 | 8 | #7603 |
| 1983 | 7 | #8304 |
| 1982 | 11 | #6055 |
| 1981 | 10 | #6468 |
| 1980 | 7 | #8408 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Eun as a Boy's Name
While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Eun has also been given to 5 boys in the U.S. since 1989.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Eun a boy's or girl's name?
When was Eun most popular?
How popular is the name Eun?
Can Eun be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1957–2003