Sunwoo
A boy's name of Korean origin with 18 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Only 18 babies have been named Sunwoo in recorded U.S. history. That level of rarity means your child would almost certainly be the only one in their school, their workplace, and most rooms they walk into — a genuinely one-of-a-kind choice.
Sunwoo is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Sunwoo is a Korean masculine name, typically written with characters meaning "goodness" or "excellence" (sun, 善 or 順) combined with "rain" or "talented" (woo, 雨 or 宇 or 佑). The precise meaning depends on the Chinese characters chosen, which is why hanja selection is an important part of Korean naming. Common combinations suggest "excellent and rain-gifted" or "kind protector."
Sunwoo is a common Korean given name that has gained international recognition through Korean entertainment and pop culture. It sounds clean and strong in both Korean and English pronunciation. For Korean-American families, Sunwoo is a name that travels gracefully between cultures while remaining firmly rooted in Korean identity.
EtymologyShow more
Sunwoo first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 2018. A twenty-first-century entry, Sunwoo belongs to the newest generation of American names — often coined, blended, or borrowed from international sources.
Its Korean classification suggests a path from korean linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Sunwoo has 3+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2018.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 12 | #12249 | ▲ |
| 2010s | 6 | #11951 | — |
The Story of Sunwoo
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2022, Sunwoo is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Sunwoo are most likely born between 2018 and 2022.
How rare is Sunwoo?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Sunwoo is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2018, peaked in the 2020s with 12 births that decade.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(3 years, 2018–2022)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 7 | #10706 |
| 2020 | 5 | #13792 |
| 2018 | 6 | #11951 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sunwoo a boy's or girl's name?
When was Sunwoo most popular?
How popular is the name Sunwoo?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2018–2022