New every day: Korea news, words and grammar — in your language
See how to write your name in hangul, hear how it sounds, find out how it feels to Koreans — and check it doesn't sound like something funny.
Lionel in Korean
ri-o-nel
How to write it
리
ㄹ + ㅣ
ri
오
ㅇ + ㅗ
o, silent ㅇ
넬
ㄴ + ㅔ + ㄹ
nel
How it feels to Koreans
Sound-alike check: No issues
No issues — no rude, unlucky or embarrassing words found.
Introduce yourself
제 이름은 리오넬이에요.
My name is Lionel.
Your name is usually the first Korean word you say, read and write. Here's where you'll need it.
Koreans say your name the Korean way. Know it, and you can say 저는 마이클이에요 and recognise your name when someone calls you.
Coffee orders, delivery apps, clinic forms and name cards often ask for your name in hangul. Pick one spelling and use it every time.
Some names sound like a Korean word with a funny or unlucky meaning. We check the sound-alikes, so you can choose a spelling that feels right.
Writing your own name is the easiest way to start reading hangul: a handful of letters you'll never forget.
Learn all the letters in your name — and the rest — in about an hour.