What is the process for choosing a Korean baby name?

I've heard there is a special way to choose a Korean name for your baby. How do you do it? Mom is white, dad is Korean.

What is the process for choosing a Korean baby name?
Customs in Korea vary considerably from the Western culture when naming a baby. A Korean name is only ever repeated by complete accident. The majority of given Korean name's are unique. Please see below for some examples of Baby girl and Baby boy name's. Chinese-based name's became the norm among upper and middle classes in Korea during the Go-Ryu dynasty.Korean Names - their order


The order of Korean name's is presented in the reverse to the Western format. A Korean name would therefore be transcribed in the following order: surname, given name. There are often errors in transcriptions when the characters of the given name are written separately. Some Korean-Americans have adopted a Western name however they use their Korean one as a middle name.





Given Names


There are thousands of Korean characters and the given name usually consists of two syllables taken from any of the thousands of these characters. The range of name's is therefore almost limitless. Naming traditions in Korea can include and represent all forms of nature and the environment or characteristics or even have mystical meanings. Many will reflect a specific period in history. The Western custom of naming a baby after another close member of the family would be unheard of as a custom or tradition in the Korean culture.





The Usage


The given name in Korea is rarely used within the close-knit family circle. In Western culture children rarely address their parents by their given name - they are referred to as " Mom" or "Dad". This custom is also adhered to in Korea but the custom extends to the whole family. In a family of three brothers their siblings would use the address of 'second brother' for instance. In turn the parents of Korean children often give then a unique nickname within the family. Outside the family circle the nickname would not be normally used.





Surnames


Korean surnames are family surnames. They are passed down from one generation to the next. Korean surnames convey the family's history and the deeds of their ancestors.











Selection of a name in Korea


Korean names are unique to each baby. Any duplication of a first name is purely coincidental. The following list of male and female Korean baby names are therefore only listed as examples and should not be duplicated thus honouring the customs of Korea.
Reply:why dont you just make the first name in english american, then use the middle name in korean or you can do other way instead. cause if the father is blood korean then the child will have the same last names the parents . cause iam korean , vietnames and white american and my brothers and sister , have the a korean names then middle names is vietnames . last name is korean also, but for me, i also have korean names too ,but my last name is in irish. but depend if you want your children have both names in two different langauges then do that . not many parents do gave middles names to their kids when they re born. thats okay.
Reply:Ask the Korean grandparents, they should be able to tell you.
Reply:From what I read, Korean names are supposed to be unique and original to the baby. Giving the child his father's name would therefore be innapropriate. Otherwise, names are chosen the same way as western names would be.





The parents might want to wait until the child is born to decide whether to use a Korean or American name. If the child looks Korean, then a Korean name might be appropraite, but keep in mind that an unusual name might cause him to be teased. If the child looks white, a Korean name might not suit him/her. Maybe the parents should comsider using the Korean name as a middle name.