Kim (Korean name)

Kim (김; 金) is the most common family name in Korea. In South Korea in 1985, out of a population of between roughly 40 and 45 million, there were approximately 8.8 million Kims--roughly 20% of the population. The name is also common in North Korea. The name is very occasionally also transliterated as Gim.

Famous Kims in Korean history have included the politican Kim Ku, the North Korean leaders Kim Il-sung and his son Kim Jong-il, the South Korean presidents Kim Young-sam and Kim Dae-jung, and the fashion designer Andre Kim.