Yoo or Yu, or sometimes Ryu or Ryoo, is the English transcription of several

Korean surnames Korean may refer to: People and culture * Koreans, people from the Korean peninsula or of Korean descent * Korean culture * Korean language **Korean alphabet, known as Hangul or Korean **Korean dialects **See also: North–South differences in t ...

written as or in

hangul The Korean alphabet is the modern writing system for the Korean language. In North Korea, the alphabet is known as (), and in South Korea, it is known as (). The letters for the five basic consonants reflect the shape of the speech organs ...

. As of 2000, roughly a million people are surnamed Yoo in

South Korea South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the southern half of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and borders North Korea along the Korean Demilitarized Zone, with the Yellow Sea to the west and t ...

, making up approximately 2% of the population. Of those, the most common is Ryu (Hanja: , Hangul: ), with more than six hundred thousand holders, whereas Yoo (Hanja: , 余 Hangul: ) accounts for about one hundred thousand. The family name Yoo can be represented by any of the four

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. () ...

: (), , and , each with a different meaning. In Korean, the characters and refer to (Yoo) or (Ryu) and are spelled as such because of the first initial sound rule () in Korean, whereas the characters and refer only to (Yoo). Some of these characters are used to write the

Chinese surname Chinese surnames are used by Han Chinese and Sinicization, Sinicized ethnic groups in Greater China, Korea, Vietnam and among overseas Chinese communities around the world such as Singapore and Malaysia. Written Chinese names begin with surnames, ...

s Liu ( or ) and Yu (，余). Notable (Ryu)

clans A clan is a group of people united by actual or perceived kinship and descent. Even if lineage details are unknown, a clan may claim descent from a founding member or apical ancestor who serves as a symbol of the clan's unity. Many societie ...

include the Munhwa Ryu clan and the Pungsan Ryu.

History

In Korea, the Yoo lineage traces to the Xia, Han, and

Joseon Joseon ( ; ; also romanized as ''Chosun''), officially Great Joseon (), was a dynastic kingdom of Korea that existed for 505 years. It was founded by Taejo of Joseon in July 1392 and replaced by the Korean Empire in October 1897. The kingdom w ...

dynasties A dynasty is a sequence of rulers from the same family, usually in the context of a monarchical system, but sometimes also appearing in republics. A dynasty may also be referred to as a "house", "family" or "clan", among others. Historians ...

. Holders of the surname Yoo had a reputation for charity and diligence. The largest Ryu (which is a separate clan from Yoo, but pronounced differently), the Munhwa Ryu, was founded by a man named Ch’a Tal. Ch’a's fifth great-grandfather had been involved in an attempt to overthrow the

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 ...

king. To avoid prosecution, the ancestor fled to Munhwa and changed his surname, first to that of his maternal grandmother, Yang, and then to Ryoo. Many years later, Ch’a Tal assisted Wang Kŏn to establish the Koryŏ Kingdom. Ch’a was recognized for his support and was rewarded accordingly. However, the historic claims that the Ch'a clans are derived from the same progenitor as Ryu Ch'a-dal have been disproven. The Munhwa Ryoo clan, along with the Andong Kwŏn clan, possess one of Korea's oldest clan

genealogies Genealogy () is the study of families, family history, and the tracing of their lineages. Genealogists use oral interviews, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kins ...

. Only the character is commonly pronounced ''Ryu'' or ''Ryoo'' (). (See Munhwa Ryoo) The surname "Ryu" comes from the character meaning willow tree. Hence, the lineage is also sometimes called "willow Ryu" ().

Notable people (historic)

* Yu Ch'a-dal (880–?), founder of the Korean Munhwa Yu clan * Queen Munhye, Goryeo princess * Lady Daemyeong, member of the Goryeo royal family * Yu Sŏngwŏn (?–1456), scholar-official of the early Joseon dynasty * Yu Ŭngbu (?–1456), military official of the early Joseon dynasty * Yu Sŏngnyong (1542–1607), scholar-official of the Joseon dynasty * Grand Princess Consort Munhwa, Korean Royal Family member *

Yu Hyeong-won Yu Hyeong-won (; 1622–1673), also spelled as Yoo Hyung-Won, was a Korean philosopher. His art name was Ban'gye (磻溪). He was a Neo-Confucianist and science scholar of the Korean Joseon Dynasty. He was a Korean pioneer of the early silhak ...

(1622–1673), Korean philosopher * Yu Sang (1643–1723), royal court physician and politician of the Korean Joseon dynasty * Yu Deuk-gong (1749–1807), Korean scholar during the Joseon dynasty * Yu Kil-chun (1856–1914), Korean politician * Yu Geun-Hyeong (1894–1993), Korean ceramist * Ilhan New (1895–1971), Korean independence activist and entrepreneur * Yu Gwan-sun (1902–1920), Korean independence activist

Notable people (contemporary)

Arts and entertainment

* Aaron Yoo (born 1979), American actor * Yoo Ara (born 1992), South Korean actress and singer, former member of girl group Hello Venus * Yoo Byung-jae (born 1988), South Korean television personality, actor and screenwriter * Yoo Chae-yeong (1973–2014), South Korean actress, singer and radio host * Yoo Chan-wook (stage name

Be'O Yoo Chan-wook (; born April 27, 2000), known professionally as Be'O (; stylized in all caps), is a South Korean rapper and songwriter. He first garnered attention when he appeared on the rap competition TV show ''Show Me the Money 10'' in 2021. ...

, born 2000), South Korean rapper and songwriter * Christine Yoo, American writer, director, producer and filmmaker * Yoo Da-in (born 1984), South Korean actress * Yoo Dong-geun (born 1956), South Korean actor * Yoo Eun-mi (born 2004), South Korean actress *

Yoo Eun-sook Yoo Eun Sook () is a South Korean voice actor. She joined the Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation's voice acting division in 1994. Roles Broadcast TV *24 (television) (replacing Lourdes Benedicto by Season 2, Korea TV Edition, MBC) *Galuxy Railroad ...

, South Korean voice actor * Yoo Gun-hyung (born 1979), South Korean record producer *

Yoo Ha-na Yoo Ha-na (; born March 22, 1986) is a South Korean actress. She has starred alongside Jimmy Lin Chih Ying, Jimmy Lin in the Taiwanese TV Taiwanese drama, drama series ''My Lucky Star (series), My Lucky Star'', and has also appeared in the mus ...

(born 1986), South Korean actress * Yoo Hae-jin (born 1970), South Korean actor *

Yoo Hae-jung Yoo Hae-jung (; born October 9, 2000) is a South Korean actress. Filmography Television series Film Awards and nominations References External links

* * * 2000 births Living people South Korean television actresses South Kor ...

(born 2000) South Korean actress * Yoo Hee-jae (born 1994), South Korean singer and actor *

Yoo Ho-jeong You Ho-jeong (; born January 24, 1969) is a South Korean actress. She made her acting debut in 1991 and has been starring in television and film since. Roles include a divorcee whose husband lives next door in daily drama '' Definitely Neighbors' ...

(born 1969), South Korean actress * Yoo Hwe-seung (born 1995), South Korean singer and musical theatre actor, member of rap rock band N.Flying * Yoo Hye-ri (born 1964), South Korean actress * Yoo Hyun-young (born 1976), South Korean entertainer * Yoo In-na (born 1982), South Korean actress * Yoo In-soo (born 1998), South Korean actor * Yoo In-young (born 1984), South Korean actress * Yoo Jae-ha (1962–1987), South Korean singer-songwriter * Yoo Jae-suk (born 1972), South Korean comedian, host and television personality * Yoo Jeong-yeon (born 1996), South Korean singer, member of girl group

Twice Twice (; Japanese language, Japanese: トゥワイス, Hepburn romanization, Hepburn: ''Tuwaisu''; commonly stylized in all caps) is a South Korean girl group formed by JYP Entertainment. The group is composed of nine members: Nayeon, Jeongyeon ...

* Yoo Je-won, South Korean television director * Yoo Je-yoon (born 1984), South Korean actor, model, and singer * Jerome Yoo, (born 1994) Korean-Canadian actor and filmmaker * Ji-young Yoo (born 1999 or 2000), American actress * Yoo Ji-tae (born 1976), South Korean actor, film director and screenwriter * Yoo Jun-sang (born 1969), South Korean actor and singer * Yoo Jung-hyun (born 1967), South Korean television personality and politician *

Yoo Ki-hyun Yoo Ki-hyun (, born November 22, 1993), known mononymously as Kihyun, is a South Korean singer and songwriter. He is a member of the South Korean boy group Monsta X under Starship Entertainment. He made his solo debut with the single album ''Vo ...

(born 1993), South Korean singer, member of boy band Monsta X * Yoo Min-kyu (born 1987), South Korean actor * Yoo Na-ul (stage name Naul, born 1978), South Korean singer * Yoo Se-hyung (born 1992), South Korean actor * Yoo Se-rye (born 1984), South Korean actress * Yoo Se-yoon (born 1980), South Korean comedian and television comedy show host * Yoo Seon-ho (born 2002), South Korean singer, actor and model * Yoo Seung-ho (born 1993), South Korean actor * Yoo Seung-jun (born 1976), South Korean-born American singer, rapper and actor * Yoo Seung-woo (born 1997), South Korean musician * Yoo Seung-yeon (stage name Gong Seung-yeon, born 1993), South Korean actress * Yoo So-young (born 1986), South Korean actress * Yoo Su-bin (born 1992), South Korean actor * U Sung-eun (born Yoo Sung-eun, 1989), South Korean singer * Yoo Yeon-joo (stage name

YooA Yoo Si-ah (; born Yoo Yeon-joo on September 17, 1995), better known by her stage name YooA () is a South Korean singer and actress. She is a member of the girl group Oh My Girl under WM Entertainment. She made her debut as a solo artist, with h ...

, born 1995), South Korean singer, member of girl group

Oh My Girl Oh My Girl (, stylized in all caps or OMG) is a South Korean girl group formed by WM Entertainment. The group is composed of six members: Hyojung, Mimi, YooA, Seunghee, Yubin and Arin (singer), Arin. Originally an eight-piece group, JinE left t ...

* Yoo Yeon-jung (born 1999), South Korean singer, member of girl group

Cosmic Girls WJSN (; ), also known as Cosmic Girls, is a South Korean girl group formed by Starship Entertainment and Yuehua Entertainment. The group is composed of ten members: Seola (singer), Seola, Bona (singer), Bona, Exy, Soobin, Luda (singer), Luda, ...

* Yoo Yeon-mi (born 1999), South Korean actress * Yoo Yeon-soo (stage name Ha Yeon-soo, born 1990), South Korean actress *

Yoo Young-jae Yoo Young-jae (; born January 24, 1994), also known mononymously as Youngjae, is a South Korean singer and actor. He debuted as an Korean idol, idol in the six-member group B.A.P (South Korean band), B.A.P under TS Entertainment, where he serve ...

(born 1994), South Korean singer and actor, member of boy band B.A.P *

Yoo Young-jin Yoo Young-jin is a South Korean singer-songwriter, record producer and vocal trainer formerly under SM Entertainment. He has produced and written songs for H.O.T., S.E.S, BoA, Shinhwa, TVXQ, CSJH The Grace, Super Junior, Girls' Generatio ...

(born 1971), South Korean singer-songwriter and record producer * You Hee-yeol (born 1971), South Korean singer-songwriter * Christian Yu (stage name DPR Ian, born 1990), Australian singer and rapper * Yu Ji-min (stage name Karina, born 2000), South Korean singer, member of girl group

Aespa Aespa ( ; , stylized in Letter case#All lowercase, all lowercase or as æspa) is a South Korean girl group formed by SM Entertainment. The group consists of four members: Karina (South Korean singer), Karina, Giselle (singer), Giselle, Winter ...

* Yu Oh-seong (born 1966), South Korean actor * Ryoo Seung-bum (born 1980), South Korean actor *

Ryoo Seung-wan Ryoo Seung-wan (; born December 15, 1973) is a South Korean filmmaker. He made his debut in 1996 with the short film ''Dangerous Head'', then worked as a director under director Park Chan-wook, took film lessons, and made his feature film debut ...

(born 1973), South Korean director * Ryu Deok-hwan (born 1987), South Korean actor * Ryu Han-bi (born 2004), South Korean actress * Ryu Hwa-young (born 1993), South Korean actress and singer, former member of girl group

T-ara T-ara (; ) is a South Korean girl group formed in 2009, currently consisting of four members: Qri, Hahm Eun-jung, Eunjung, Hyomin, and Park Ji-yeon, Jiyeon. T-ara's career is marked by Hook (music), hook-heavy dance-pop music, a result of their ...

* Ryu Hye-rin (born 1984), South Korean actress and model * Ryu Hye-young (born 1991), South Korean actress and model *

Ryu Hyo-young Ryu Hyo-young (born April 22, 1993), better known by the mononym Hyoyoung or Jung Woo-yeon, is a South Korean actress, model, and rapper. She was a member of the South Korean co-ed group Coed School and the girl group F-ve Dolls. Biography R ...

(born 1993), South Korean actress, model and rapper, former member of girl group F-ve Dolls * Ryu Hyun-kyung (born 1983), South Korean actress * Ryu Jun-yeol (born 1986), South Korean actor * Ryu Kyung-soo (born 1992), South Korean actor * Ryu Sang-gu (stage name Deepflow, born 1984), South Korean rapper and music producer * Ryu Se-ra (born 1987), South Korean singer, former member of girl group Nine Muses * Ryu Seung-ryong (born 1970), South Korean actor * Ryu Seung-soo (born 1971), South Korean actor * Ryu Si-won (born 1972), South Korean actor and singer *

Ryu Soo-young Ryu Su-young (born Eo Nam-seon on September 5, 1979) is a South Korean actor. He made his first appearance on television as a college student on a cooking show in 1998, then starred in the controversial film '' Summertime'' (2001). This was follo ...

(born 1979), South Korean actor * Ryu Su-jeong (born 1997), South Korean singer, member of girl group Lovelyz * Ryu Sung-min (stage name C Jamm, born 1993), South Korean rapper * Ryu Tae-joon (born 1971), South Korean actor and singer * Ryu Ui-hyun (born 1999), South Korean actor

Painters and sculptors

* Yoo Young-ho (born 1965), South Korean sculptor * Yoo Youngkuk (1916–2002), South Korean artist

Musicians

* Esther Yoo (born 1994), American violinist * Scott Yoo (born 1971), American conductor and violinist * Yung Wook Yoo (born 1977), South Korean pianist

Authors, illustrators, novelists, poets

* Yoo An-jin (born 1941), South Korean poet, essayist, and professor * David Yoo (born 1974), American writer * Yoo Eun-Sil, South Korean author * Yoo Hyeonjong, South Korean novelist * Yoo Ja-hyo (born 1947), South Korean broadcaster and poet * Yoo Jae-yong (1936–2009), South Korean novelist * Yoo Juhyun (1921–1982), South Korean novelist * Miri Yu (born 1968), Zainichi Korean playwright, novelist, and essayist * Taeeun Yoo, South Korean picture book author and illustrator * Yoo Yeong, (1917–2002) South Korean literary scholar, translator, and poet

Athletes

* Yoo Byung-hoon (born 1972), South Korean paralympian athlete * Yoo Byung-ok (born 1964), South Korean footballer * Yoo Byung-soo (born 1988), South Korean footballer * Yoo Chae-ran (born 1992), South Korean badminton player * Yoo Chang-hyun (born 1985), South Korea footballer *

Yoo Dae-hyun Yoo Dae-hyun (; born 28 February 1990) is a South Korean Association football, footballer who plays as Defender (association football)#Full-back, full back for Bucheon FC 1995, Bucheon FC in K League Challenge. Career Yoo joined Tochigi SC in ...

(born 1990), South Korean footballer * Yoo Dae-soon (born 1965), South Korean former footballer * Daniel Yoo (born 1985), Korean-American former tennis player *

Yoo Dong-kwan Yoo Dong-kwan (; born May 12, 1963) is a South Korean former footballer who played as a midfielder. He started his professional career at POSCO Atoms in 1986. He was winner of K League Best XI The K League Best XI is an award for the bes ...

(born 1963), South Korean former footballer * Yoo Dong-min (born 1989), South Korean footballer * Yoo Han-joon (born 1981), South Korean former outfielder * Yoo Hee-kwan (born 1986), South Korean starting pitcher * Yoo Ho-joon (born 1985), South Korean footballer * Yoo Hong-youl (born 1983), South Korean footballer * Yoo Hye-min (born 1981), South Korean alpine skier *

Yoo Hyeok-geun Yoo Hyeok-geun (born 10 May 1944) is a South Korean rower. He competed in the men's eight event at the 1964 Summer Olympics The , officially the and commonly known as Tokyo 1964 (), were an international multi-sport event held from 10 t ...

(born 1944), South Korean rower * Yoo Hyeong-jong (born 1985), South Korean footballer * Yoo Hyun (born 1984), South Korean footballer * Yoo Hyun-goo (born 1983), South Korean footballer * Yoo Hyun-ji (born 1984), South Korean handball player * Yoo Jae-hoon (born 1984), South Korean former professional footballer * Jeff Yoo (born 1978), South Korean former association football player * Yoo Jin-sun (born 1962), South Korean former tennis player * Yoo Ji-hoon (born 1988), South Korean footballer * Yoo Ji-no (born 1989), South Korean footballer *

Yoo Jong-hyun Yoo Jong-hyun (; born 14 March 1988) is a South Korean Association football, footballer who plays as Defender (association football), defender for FC Anyang in the K League 2. Club career Yoo was selected in the priority pick of the 2011 K-Le ...

(born 1988), South Korean footballer * Yoo Joon-young (born 1990), South Korean footballer * Yoo Jun-soo (born 1988), South Korean footballer * Yoo Jung-nam (born 1983), South Korean swimmer * Yoo Kee-heung (born 1947), South Korean football manager and former player * Yoo Ki-hong (born 1988), South Korean former professional cyclist * Yoo Kwang-joon (born 1932), South Korean former footballer * Yoo Kyoung-youl (born 1978), South Korean former footballer * Yoo Man-kee (born 1988), South Korean footballer * Yoo Mi (born 1986), South Korean former tennis player * Yoo Min-hyeon (born 1994), South Korean curler * Yoo Nam-kyu (born 1968), South Korea former table tennis player *

Yoo Ok-ryul Yoo Ok-ryul (born 1 March 1973) is a Koreans, Korean former Gymnastics, gymnast who competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics. Education * Kyung Hee University References External links

* 1973 births Living people South Korean male arti ...

(born 1973), South Korean former gymnast * Yoo Sang-chul (1971–2021), South Korean football manager and player * Yoo Sang-hee, South Korean former female badminton player * Yoo Sang-soo (born 1973), South Korean football coach and retired player * Yoo Soo-hyun (born 1986), South Korean footballer * Yoo Sun-hee (born 1967), South Korean female speed skater * Yoo Sun-young (born 1986), South Korean professional golfer *

Yoo Sung-je Yoo Sung-je (; born 16 July 1985 in Seoul) is a Korean ice hockey goaltender In ice hockey, the goaltender (commonly referred to as goalie or netminder) is the player responsible for preventing the hockey puck from entering their own team' ...

(born 1985), South Korean ice hockey goaltender * Yoo Sung-yeon (born 1976), South Korean former judoka * Yoo Won-chul (born 1984), South Korean gymnast * Yoo Won-jeong, South Korean paralympic boccia player * Yoo Won-sang (born 1986), South Korean baseball player * Yoo Wook-jin (born 1985), South Korean footballer * Yoo Yeon-seong (born 1986), South Korean professional badminton player * Yoo Yeon-seung (born 1991), South Korean footballer * Yoo Yong-sung (born 1974), South Korean retired badminton player *

Yoo Yoon-sik Yoo Yoon-Sik (; born ) is a South Korean volleyball player. He competed at the 2017 FIVB Volleyball World League, 2017 FIVB World League as part of the South Korea men's national volleyball team. On club level he plays for the Seoul Woori Card Wib ...

(born 1989), South Korean volleyball player * You Young (born 2004), South Korean figure skater * Yoo Young-a (born 1988), South Korean footballer * Yoo Young-joo (born 1971), South Korean former basketball player * Yoo Young-sil (born 1975), South Korean retired football player * Yuh Jae-doo (born 1948), South Korean former professional boxer. * Hyun-jin Ryu (born 1987), South Korean professional baseball player * Ryu Jae-kuk (born 1983), South Korean professional baseball pitcher * Ryu Ji-hye (born 1976), South Korean former table tennis player * Ryu Seung-min (born 1982), South Korean professional table tennis player * Ryu Seung-woo (born 1993), South Korean football player * Ryu So-yeon (born 1990), South Korean professional golfer

Other

* Yoo Chang-hyuk (born 1966), South Korean professional Go player * Christopher Yoo (born 2006), American chess grandmaster * Ryu Shikun (born 1971), South Korean professional Go player

Sports management

* Yoo Jae-hak (born 1963), South Korean basketball coach

Business

* Yoo Byung-eun (1941–2014), South Korean businessman, inventor, and photographer * Yoo Jaehoon, South Korean businessman

Politics

* Yoo Chang-soon (1918–2010), South Korean politician * Yoo Eun-hae (born 1962), South Korean politician * Yoo Il-ho (born 1955), South Korean politician * Yoo Jae-geon (1937–2022), South Korean politician * Yoo Jin-ryong (born 1956), South Korean politician * Yoo Jeong-bok (born 1957), South Korean public servant and politician *

John Yoo John Choon Yoo (; born July 10, 1967) is a South Korean-born American legal scholar and former government official who serves as the Emanuel S. Heller Professor of Law at the University of California, Berkeley. Yoo became known for his legal opi ...

(born 1967), South Korean-born American legal scholar and former politician * Yoo Jung-ju (born 1975), South Korean politician and animator * Ryu Keun-chan (1949–2025), South Korean journalist and politician * Yoo Myung-hee (born 1967), South Korean politician * Yoo Nam-seok (born 1957), former President of the Constitutional Court of Korea * Yoo Sang-yeol (1940–2022), South Korean public official * Yoo Seong-min (born 1958), South Korean economist and politician *

Yoo Song-hwa Yoo Song-hwa (; born 6 April 1968) is a South Korean politician who previously served as the Director of the Chunchugwan Press Center at the Blue House under President Moon Jae-in - the third woman to assume such post. Upon the beginning of Moo ...

(born 1968), South Korean politician *

Yu In-chon Yu In-chon (, born March 20, 1951) is a South Korean actor and the current Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (South Korea), Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism under president Yoon Suk Yeol, the position which he previously held under ...

(born 1951), South Korean politician and actor * Rhyu Si-min (born 1959), South Korean politician

Military

* Daniel Yoo (born 1962), Korean-American retired U.S. Marine Corps major general

Modeling and pageantry

* Jae Yoo (born 1989), South Korean model * Yoo Ye-bin (born 1992), South Korean beauty pageant titleholder

Science and technology

* Christopher Yoo, academic * Michelle Yoo, New Zealand academic * Richard Yoo, American entrepreneur *

Ryoo Ryong Ryoo Ryong Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, FRSC (born 1955) is a distinguished professor of chemistry at KAIST in Daejeon, South Korea. He was the head of the Center for Nanomaterials and Chemical Reactions, an Extramural Research Cente ...

(born 1955), South Korean scientist

Other

* Yoo Sang-joon, North Korean defector * Yoo Young-chul (born 1970), South Korean serial killer, sex offender, and cannibal

References

External links

Yu Family History
{{Surname Korean-language surnames Surnames of Korean origin vi:Liễu (họ người) vi:Lưu (họ)