Seok

Seok (석) is a common element in Korean given names, derived from Hanja (Chinese characters) that are pronounced 'seok'. The most common Hanja for Seok is 石, meaning 'stone' or 'rock'. Other Hanja with the same pronunciation can contribute different meanings, such as 碩 (meaning 'large', 'grand', 'great') or 昔 (meaning 'old times', 'past').

Due to the nature of Korean names often being composed of two Hanja characters, 'Seok' rarely stands alone as a full given name but is frequently used as a component. When used as a standalone name, it typically carries the meaning of 'stone' or 'grand', often implying strength, steadfastness, or greatness. Its usage as a single-syllable name is less common in modern Korea compared to two-syllable names.