Seok

Seok is a Korean syllable commonly written as 석 in Hangul. In Korean, it functions as a building block in names and words, and it is often associated with the hanja character 石, meaning stone or rock. Because multiple hanja can share the same pronunciation, the precise meaning of Seok in a given term depends on the chosen character.

As a given-name element, Seok is frequently used in two-syllable Korean given names, either as the first or second element. The meaning varies with the hanja selected for the name; common pairings include Seok-min, Seok-ho, or Seok-hee. The pronunciation remains Seok, but the underlying meaning can differ significantly.

As a surname, Seok (석) is relatively rare in Korea. It is usually derived from the same hanja 石 and is romanized as Seok in the Revised Romanization system. Older spellings or personal preference may yield Suk or Sok. Surname bearers belong to various bon-gwan (clan origins), reflecting Korea’s traditional system of lineage.

Geographic and cultural usage can be seen in place names and cultural sites that incorporate the root meaning stone. A notable example is Seokguram (석굴암), the Seokguram Grotto near Gyeongju, a famed stone cave temple and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The root Seok also appears in broader Sino-Korean vocabulary related to stone-related terms and in religious or historical names that preserve the phonetic heritage of the syllable.