Young

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Young

Pronounced YUNG /ˈjʌŋ/Medium

Meaning: Young is chiefly an English surname from Old English geong, 'young', used to distinguish a younger person; it also appears as a Korean surname and as an element in Korean given names (often meaning 'flower', 'brave', or 'prosperous' depending on the character). As a first name in the U.S. it reflects both streams.Low

In 30 seconds: Young is an English surname from Old English 'young', and also a Korean surname and name element (said 'YUNG').

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Origin LowEnglish, Korean

MeaningYoung is chiefly an English surname from Old English geong, 'young', used to distinguish a younger person; it also appears as a Korean surname and as an element in Korean given names (often meaning 'flower', 'brave', or 'prosperous' depending on the character). As a first name in the U.S. it reflects both streams.

U.S. rank (2022)#12279 ↘ Falling

2022 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1991

Total births (all-time)≈ 2,234

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Young comes from Old English geong, 'young', an English surname that marked the younger of two people sharing a name. It also stands as a widespread Korean surname and a given-name element, so its use as an American first name draws on both English and Korean streams.

As a given name it was always rare, spread thinly across the twentieth century. It reads as a surname-name or a heritage name rather than a mainstream given name.

Did you know? Young works in two traditions at once: an English surname meaning literally 'young', and a common Korean surname and given-name element carried by Korean-American families.

Overall data confidence 50%

References — Young — English surname (OE geong); Korean surname/element

Variations

Young

Nicknames

Yung

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Young mean?

Young is an English surname from Old English geong, 'young'; it is also a Korean surname and given-name element.

How do you pronounce Young?

It's said YUNG /ˈjʌŋ/ — one syllable.

Is Young a boy or girl name?

Young is used here as a boy's name.

How popular is Young?

Young has always been rare as a given name, spread thinly across the twentieth century.