Oh or O is a

family name In many societies, a surname, family name, or last name is the mostly hereditary portion of one's personal name that indicates one's family. It is typically combined with a given name to form the full name of a person, although several give ...

Korea Korea is a peninsular region in East Asia consisting of the Korean Peninsula, Jeju Island, and smaller islands. Since the end of World War II in 1945, it has been politically Division of Korea, divided at or near the 38th parallel north, 3 ...

. It is written using the

hanja Hanja (; ), alternatively spelled Hancha, are Chinese characters used to write the Korean language. After characters were introduced to Korea to write Literary Chinese, they were adapted to write Korean as early as the Gojoseon period. () ...

characters, 吳, 五, 伍, 吾, and 晤. According to the 2015 census in South Korea, there were 763,281 people carrying the O surname.

History

The earliest ancestor of the Korean Oh family is believed to be Oh Eung () from

Silla Silla (; Old Korean: wikt:徐羅伐#Old Korean, 徐羅伐, Yale romanization of Korean, Yale: Syerapel, Revised Romanization of Korean, RR: ''Seorabeol''; International Phonetic Alphabet, IPA: ) was a Korean kingdom that existed between ...

, the son of Oh Cheom known to be the Chinese royal descendant who migrated from China to Korea and married the daughter of Kim Jong-ji in Silla. 16 clans have historically emerged under the family name Oh. The largest five clans, in order, are

Haeju Haeju () is a city located in South Hwanghae Province near Haeju Bay in North Korea. It is the administrative centre of South Hwanghae Province. As of 2008, the population of the city is estimated to be 273,300. At the beginning of the 20th centu ...

, Dongbok,

Boseong Boseong County (''Boseong-gun'') is a county in South Jeolla Province, South Korea. Boseong is famous for its green tea leaves, with 26.71 hectares of land dedicated to its production. It is also the birthplace of the Korean independence acti ...

Hamyang Hamyang County (''Hamyang-gun'') is a county in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. It is home to the Wooden Seated Statue of Buddha in Beopinsa (법인사), the Standing Statue of Buddha in Deokjeonri (덕전리), the Three-Level Stone Pagoda ...

, and Gunwi Oh clans. Out of these clans, the three largest clans were founded by the three brothers of Oh Hyeon-bo, Oh Hyeon-jwa, and Oh Hyun-pil, who each was given the governor position of Haeju, Dongbok, and Boseong counties as the rewards for defending

Goryeo Goryeo (; ) was a Korean state founded in 918, during a time of national division called the Later Three Kingdoms period, that unified and ruled the Korea, Korean Peninsula until the establishment of Joseon in 1392. Goryeo achieved what has b ...

against the attack by the

Khitan people The Khitan people (Khitan small script: ; ) were a historical Eurasian nomads, nomadic people from Northeast Asia who, from the 4th century, inhabited an area corresponding to parts of modern Mongolia, Northeast China and the Russian Far East. ...

. Each of the five biggest clans traces its founder back to: *

Haeju Oh Clan Haeju Oh clan () is a Korean clan. Their Bon-gwan is in Haeju, Hwanghae Province. , the clan has a membership of 422,735. Their founder was , who was the governor of Haeju county during the era of Goryeo.{{cite web , url=https://terms.naver.com/ ...

: Oh Heyon-bo, the governor of

County during the era of

* Dongbok Oh Clan: Oh Hyeon-jwa, the governor of Dongbok County during the era of

* Boseong Oh Clan: Oh Hyun-pil, the governor of

County during the era of

* Hamyang Oh Clan: Oh Gwang-hwi, the official during the era of

* Gunwi Oh Clan: Oh Suk-gwi, the second son of Oh Hyeon-jwa who later became the governor of Gunwi county during the era of

In the modern era, the O (or Oh) family of North Korea is a

North Korea North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the northern half of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and borders China and Russia to the north at the Yalu River, Yalu (Amnok) an ...

n family whose members have been considered close to the ruling Kim family over several generations because of O Jung-hup, who was a revolutionary fighter closely associated with

Kim Il-sung Kim Il Sung (born Kim Song Ju; 15 April 1912 – 8 July 1994) was a North Korean politician and the founder of North Korea, which he led as its first supreme leader from its establishment in 1948 until his death in 1994. Afterwards, he was ...

. They are regarded as being highly influential in the North Korean regime and second only to the Kim's.

Global distribution

Most Koreans in the US prefer the surname Oh rather than O as a single letter name can often be misunderstood as an abbreviation or misprinting.

List of people with the surname

* Cédric O, French politician, Secretary of State for Digital Affairs * Oh Dae-gyu, South Korean actor *

Oh Dae-hwan Oh Dae-hwan (born July 5, 1979) is a South Korean actor. He appeared in television series such as '' Squad 38'' (2016), ''Shopping King Louie'' (2016), ''Radiant Office'' (2017), ''The Red Sleeve ''The Red Sleeve'' () is a South Korean tel ...

, South Korean actor * Oh Dae-keun, South Korean field hockey player *

Oh Dal-su Oh Dal-su (; born 15 June 1968) is a South Korean character actor who has appeared on television, film, and stage. His acting career spans over 35 years. Oh is best known for his supporting roles in director Park Chan-wook's films, having appear ...

, South Korean actor *

David Oh David Henry Oh (born March 8, 1960) is an American attorney and politician who served as a Republican Party (United States), Republican member of the Philadelphia City Council from 2012 to 2023. He was the first Asian American elected to the cit ...

, Korean American politician * Delphine O, French politician, member of the National Assembly for Paris's 16th constituency * Oh Eun-seok, South Korean sabre fencer *

Oh Eun-sun Oh Eun-sun (, born March 5, 1966) is a South Korean mountaineer. She was the first Korean woman to climb the Seven Summits. On April 27, 2010, she reached the summit of Annapurna; upon doing so, she claimed to have climbed all fourteen eight-tho ...

, South Korean mountaineer *

Oh Eun-young Oh Eun-young (; born September 9, 1965) is a South Korean child psychiatrist and television host. She is the host of ''My Golden Kids'', a weekly show that consults children with emotional and behavioral disorders. Oh also operates a hospital ...

, South Korean TV Host, model and beauty pageant titleholder * Felicia Oh, American black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and submission grappling competitor *

Oh Ha-young Oh Ha-young (; born July 19, 1996), also known by her mononym Hayoung, is a South Korean singer and actress. She is best known as a member of the South Korean girl group Apink. Life and career 1996–2011: Early life and debut with Apink Oh H ...

, South Korean actress and singer, member of girl group

Apink Apink (; ) is a South Korean girl group formed by IST Entertainment, (formerly Play M Entertainment, A Cube Entertainment, and Plan A Entertainment) and managed by Choi Creative Lab as of April 2024. The group debuted on April 19, 2011, with the ...

Hee Oh Hee Oh (, born 27 October 1969) is a Korean American mathematician and the Abraham Robinson Professor of Mathematics at Yale University. She made contributions to dynamical systems, discrete subgroups of Lie groups, and their connections to geomet ...

, South Korean mathematician *

Oh Hee-joon Oh Hee-joon is a South Korean actor. He is known for his roles in dramas such as '' Gangnam Beauty'', '' How to Buy a Friend'', '' 365: Repeat the Year'', '' Cheese in the Trap'' and ''All of Us Are Dead''. He also appeared in movies '' The Acc ...

, South Korean actor * Oh Hyeon-gyu, South Korean footballer *

Oh Hyuk Oh Hyuk (, born October 5, 1993), stylised OHHYUK, is a South Korean singer and musician best known as the lead vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter of indie rock band Hyukoh. Background Born in South Korea, Oh moved to China when ...

, South Korean singer, member of indie rock band

Hyukoh Hyukoh () is a South Korean indie band signed to DooRooDooRoo Artist Company. The band was formed in May 2014 and consists of leader, singer, and guitarist Oh Hyuk, bassist Im Dong-geon, guitarist Lim Hyun-jae, and drummer Lee In-woo. Career Ba ...

* Oh Hye-rin (stage name Raina), South Korean singer, member of girl group

After School After School may refer to: Film and television * ''After School'' (1972 film), a Chinese animated short film * ''After School'' (2003 film), a Singaporean film * ''After School'', a 2023 film directed by Lan Cheng-lung * ''Afterschool'', a 2009 ...

Oh In-kyun Oh In-Kyun (born 29 January 1985) is a South Korean former professional footballer as a midfielder In the sport of association football, a midfielder takes an Glossary of association football terms#O, outfield position primarily in the mi ...

, South Korean footballer * Oh Jae-il, South Korean baseball player *

Oh Jae-moo Oh Jae-moo (born November 11, 1998) is a South Korean actor. Filmography Television series Film Awards and nominations References External links Oh Jae-moo Fan Cafeat Daum * * * 1998 births IHQ (company) artists Living peop ...

, South Korean actor *

Oh Jae-suk Oh Jae-suk (; or ; born 4 January 1990) is a South Korean football player who currently plays as full-back for Daejeon Hana Citizen. He previously played for Suwon Samsung Bluewings and Gangwon FC in his homeland. He has also represente ...

, South Korean footballer * Oh Jae-seong, South Korean volleyball player * Oh Jae-won, South Korean baseball player * Oh Jang-eun, South Korean footballer *

Oh Ji-eun Oh Ji-eun (; born December 30, 1981) is a South Korean actress. She is best known for her roles in the weekend drama ''Three Brothers (TV series), Three Brothers'', the daily drama ''Smile Again (2010 TV series), Smile Again'', the sitcom ''Livi ...

, South Korean actress *

Oh Ji-ho Oh Ji-ho (; born April 14, 1976) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for the television dramas '' Couple or Trouble'' (2006), '' The Slave Hunters'' (2010), '' The Queen of Office'' (2013) and ''My Fair Lady'' (2016). Career Oh was born an ...

, South Korean actor and model *

Oh Ji-hwan Oh Ji-hwan (; born March 12, 1990, in Gunsan, Jeollabuk-do) is a South Korean shortstop who plays for the LG Twins in the KBO League. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed. Amateur career While attending Kyunggi High School in Seoul, O ...

, South Korean baseball player * Oh Ji-min (stage name J-Min), South Korean singer * Oh Ji-young, South Korean professional golfer * Oh Ji-young, South Korean professional volleyball player *

Oh Jin-hyek Oh Jin-hyek (; , Hanja: 吳真爀; born 15 August 1981) is a South Korean archer. Oh first competed for the Korean national team in 1999, but did not win a major individual international tournament until he won th ...

, South Korean archer *

O Jin-u O Jin-u (; March 8, 1917 – February 25, 1995) was a North Korean general and politician. He was a close associate of Kim Il Sung. O served under Kim in the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army, and then as commander of Kim's bodyguard. He was a ...

(1917-1995), North Korean marshal and

Politburo A politburo () or political bureau is the highest organ of the central committee in communist parties. The term is also sometimes used to refer to similar organs in socialist and Islamist parties, such as the UK Labour Party's NEC or the Poli ...

member * Oh Jong-hyuk, South Korean singer and actor * Oh Joo-ho, South Korean footballer * Oh Ju-hyun, South Korean football midfielder * Oh Ju-won, South Korean baseball pitcher * Oh Joo-yeon, South Korean voice actress * Oh Joon, South Korean ambassador to the United Nations * Junggeun Oh, South Korean artist * O Jung-hup (1910–1939), North Korean military officer *

Oh Jung-se Oh Jung-se (; born February 26, 1977) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his lead roles in the television series ''It's Okay to Not Be Okay'' (2020), ''Uncle'' (2021), ''Revenant'' (2023), ''Mr. Plankton'' (2024), and '' Good Boy'' ...

, South Korean actor *

Oh Man-seok Oh Man-seok (; born January 30, 1975) is a South Korean actor. Best known for playing the titular transgender singer in rock musical ''Hedwig and the Angry Inch'', Oh's acting career spans theater, television and film. After graduating from the ...

, South Korean actor * Oh Min-keun, South Korean former boxer *

Oh Min-suk Oh Min-suk (born April 22, 1980) is a South Korean actor. He was known by his ex-stage name Han Ki-joo. Filmography Film Television series Web series Television shows Music video appearances Awards and nominations Notes ...

, South Korean actor * Oh Min-taek (stage name Elo), South Korean singer *

Sandra Oh Sandra Miju Oh (born July 20, 1971) is a Canadian and American actress. She is known for her starring roles as Rita Wu in ''Arliss (TV series), Arliss'' (1996–2002), Cristina Yang in ''Grey's Anatomy'' (2005–14), and Eve Polastri in ''Kill ...

, Canadian-American actress *

Oh Sang-uk Oh Sang-uk (; born 30 September 1996) is a South Korean right-handed sabre fencer. Oh is a five-time team Asian champion, 2019 and 2024 individual Asian champion, three-time team world champion, and 2019 individual world champion. A two-tim ...

, South Korean fencer * Oh Sangwon, South Korean author *

Oh Se-hoon Oh Se-hoon (; born 4 January 1961) is a South Korean politician and lawyer who has served as the mayor of Seoul since 2021, an office he previously held from 2006 to 2011. A member of the People Power Party, he served as a member of the Nat ...

, South Korean politician *

Oh Se-hun Oh Se-hun (; born April 12, 1994), known mononymously as Sehun, is a South Korean rapper, singer, songwriter, actor and dancer. He is a member of the South Korean-Chinese boy band Exo and its sub-unit Exo-SC. Apart from his group's activitie ...

, South Korean singer and actor, member of boy group

Exo Exo (; stylized in all caps) is a South Korean-Chinese boy band based in Seoul formed by SM Entertainment in 2011 and debuted in 2012. The group consists of nine members: Xiumin, Suho, Lay Zhang, Lay, Baekhyun, Chen (singer), Chen, Chanyeol, ...

* Oh Seong-dae, South Korean webtoon artist *

Oh Seung-ah Oh Seung-ah (, born September 13, 1988), is a South Korean actress and singer. She is a former member of the girl group Rainbow. She is best known for her role in '' The Second Husband'' (2021–2022), which gained her the title of "Serial Vill ...

, South Korean actress and singer, former member of girl group

Rainbow A rainbow is an optical phenomenon caused by refraction, internal reflection and dispersion of light in water droplets resulting in a continuous spectrum of light appearing in the sky. The rainbow takes the form of a multicoloured circular ...

* Oh Seung-bum, South Korean football midfielder * Oh Seung-hoon, South Korean footballer * Oh Seung-hoon, South Korean actor and model * Seung-hwan Oh, South Korean baseball pitcher * Oh Seung-lip, South Korean judo practitioner * Oh Seung-shin, South Korean field hockey player * Oh Seung-soon, South Korean fencer *

Oh Seung-yoon Oh Seung-yoon (; born March 27, 1991) is a South Korean actor. He began his career as a child actor. Filmography Television series Web series Film Voice acting Film (Korean dubbing Dubbing (also known as re-recording and mixing) is ...

, South Korean actor * Oh Seong-ok, South Korean

handball Handball (also known as team handball, European handball, Olympic handball or indoor handball) is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each (six outcourt players and a goalkeeper) pass a ball using their hands with the aim of thr ...

player *

Oh Taeseok O Taeseok (; 11 October 1940 – 28 November 2022) was a South Korean playwright, theatre director and translator. Biography O Taeseok was born on 11 October 1940, in Seocheon, Korea, Empire of Japan (now in South Korea). O Taeseok was ten ...

, South Korean playwright and director * Oh Takbeon, South Korean poet, author and critic *

Oh Uhtaek Oh Uhtaek or Oh Woo-Taek (; born June 29, 1955) is a South Korean physiologist. He is also a professor at College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University. His research is largely known for Cardiac Pain and other Visceral Pain Mechanism and as we ...

, South Korean physiologist *

Oh Yeon-ah Oh Yeon-ah (; born December 1, 1981), birth name Kim Mi-ae (), is a South Korean actress. She has played many supporting roles in both films and television series A television show, TV program (), or simply a TV show, is the general ref ...

, South Korean actress * Oh Yeon-ho, South Korean journalist *

Oh Yeon-seo Oh Haet-nim (, born June 22, 1987), known professionally as Oh Yeon-seo (), is a South Korean actress and former singer. She is a former member of the musical group Luv (group), Luv, and as an actress she is best known for her roles in televisi ...

, South Korean actress *

O Yeong-su O Yeong-su (; born O Se-kang, October 19, 1944) is a South Korean actor. He began acting on stage in 1967, from which time he says he has appeared in over 200 plays. He later began acting on screen, often portraying monks due to his experience ...

(1909-1979), South Korean novelist *

, South Korean actor * O Yoon (1946–1986), South Korean painter *

Oh Yoon-ah Oh Yoon-ah () is a South Korean actress and a former racing model. Career Oh Yoon-ah began her career as a racing model (" race queen" or "pit babe"), and in 2000 she won the first Cyber Race Queen Contest. She became an entertainment reporte ...

, South Korean actress *

Oh Youn-hyung Oh Youn-hyung (born 29 October 1984) is a South Korean rugby union player. He plays as a fly-half for the South Korea national team South is one of the cardinal directions or compass points. The direction is the opposite of north and is perpe ...

, South Korean rugby union player * Oh Yoon-kyung, North Korean former football defender * Oh Yon-kyung, South Korean former volleyball player * Oh Yong-ran, South Korean handball player * Oh Young-ki, South Korean handball player * Oh Yun-kyo (1960–2000), South Korean footballer * Oh Yun-suk, South Korean handball player

References

{{surname Korean-language surnames

History

Global distribution

List of people with the surname

See also

References