Minwoo
A boy's name of Korean origin with 17 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Minwoo is a two-syllable boy's name with a open, approachable sound — ending on a vowel softens the overall impression. With only 17 recorded U.S. births, it is exceptionally rare — the kind of name most people encounter for the first time when they meet your child.
Minwoo is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Minwoo is a Korean masculine name, romanized from the Korean 민우 (Min-woo). The characters typically used are 민 (min: quick, agile; or smart, sharp; or people) and 우 (woo: house, universe; or excellence). The exact meaning depends on the Chinese characters chosen by the family. Minwoo is a popular Korean masculine name widely used in South Korea and among Korean American communities.
Minwoo carries the careful intentionality of Korean naming, where each syllable's character selection reflects parental hopes and family philosophy. For Korean American families, it is a name that maintains direct cultural connection to Korea while being phonetically accessible in English-speaking environments.
EtymologyShow more
Minwoo is cataloged under the Korean naming tradition. Names from the Korean tradition carry linguistic and cultural patterns that shape their sound, structure, and associations.
In the U.S., Minwoo has been recorded as a boy's name since 2002, with 17 total births. Browse the Korean names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Minwoo has 3+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2002.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 10 | #13494 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 7 | #9082 | — |
The Story of Minwoo
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2002, Minwoo is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Minwoo are most likely born between 2002 and 2012.
How rare is Minwoo?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Minwoo is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2002, peaked in the 2010s with 10 births that decade.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(3 years, 2002–2013)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 5 | #13413 |
| 2012 | 5 | #13575 |
| 2002 | 7 | #9082 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Minwoo a boy's or girl's name?
When was Minwoo most popular?
How popular is the name Minwoo?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2002–2013