Yong is a unisex given name of Korean origin. It is composed of the Hanja characters 栄 (eon), meaning "flourish" or "prosper," and 國 (guk), meaning "country." Therefore, the name Yong means "prosperous country" when interpreted literally.
The name Yong has a rich history in Korea. It was often used as a surname during the Three Kingdoms period (57 BCE – 668 CE) and later became popular as a given name during the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910). Throughout Korean history, numerous notable figures have borne the name Yong, contributing to its enduring popularity.
One famous historical figure named Yong was Yi Yong, also known as King Gojong of Korea. Born in 1852 as the son of Crown Prince Haechan, he ascended to the throne at the age of 12 upon his father's assassination. King Gojong ruled Korea from 1864 until his abdication in 1907, making significant contributions to Korean history, including the establishment of the modern Korean alphabet (Hangeul).
Today, Yong remains a popular choice among Korean parents for both boys and girls. It is often favored for its strong, meaningful sound and its connection to Korea's rich cultural heritage. Although it may not be as commonly used outside of Korea, those who bear the name Yong can take pride in its historical significance and deep-rooted meaning.
The name Yong has a rich history of use in the United States, with records dating back to at least the 1940s. According to the statistics provided, there were five babies named Yong born in the U.S. in 1941.
Throughout the following decades, the popularity of the name varied, with peaks and valleys in usage. For example, in the 1970s, there was a notable increase in the number of newborns given the name Yong, with seven births recorded each year from 1976 to 1978.
The late 1980s and early 1990s saw another surge in popularity for the name Yong. Between 1988 and 1993, there were at least nine babies named Yong born each year, with a high of 13 births recorded in 1993.
However, from the mid-1990s onwards, the number of newborns named Yong began to decline once again. Between 1996 and 2006, there were an average of six births per year with the name Yong, indicating that it was still in use but no longer as popular as it had been in previous decades.
In total, according to the statistics provided, there have been 300 babies named Yong born in the United States since 1941. This demonstrates that while the name may not be extremely common, it has nonetheless been a consistent choice for parents over the years.