Baek

Baek is a Korean surname and a common syllable in Korean given names. In Hangul it is 백, and when used as a surname it is most often represented by the hanja 白, meaning “white,” though other hanja with the same pronunciation may exist. In Romanization, the surname is typically written Baek in the Revised Romanization system, while alternative spellings such as Paek can occur under other systems. Baek ranks among Korea’s many surnames but is less common than Kim, Lee, or Park, and it comprises several independent clan lineages.

Beyond a surname, Baek also functions as a syllable in Sino-Korean vocabulary and names. In Korean numbers, 백 denotes the numeral 100, a usage that appears in various terms and place names. As a given-name element, Baek is used in combination with other syllables to form names, reflecting standard Korean naming conventions.

Notable people with the surname Baek include Baek Jong-won, a chef and television personality; Baek Ji-young, a singer; Baek Yoon-sik, an actor; and Baek A-yeon, a singer. The name also appears in fiction and media through characters and creators of Korean and international works.

See also: Baekje, the historical Korean kingdom, whose name is related etymologically to Korean syllables that sound like “Baek,” and other uses of the syllable in Korean language and culture.