I

I is a Korean surname, a variant of the more common romanization Lee (also spelled Yi). Like Lee, it is derived from the Sino-Korean character 李 (i), meaning "plum". This character is a Korean form of the Chinese surname Li, one of the most common surnames in the world.

Etymology and Historical Context

The Chinese character 李 has been used as a surname for millennia. The Chinese surname Li itself has multiple possible origins: from 理 meaning "reason", 立 meaning "stand", 黎 meaning "black", 力 meaning "power", or 丽 meaning "beautiful", among other characters. As a Korean surname, however, 李 (romanized as Lee, Yi, or I) is consistently associated with the plum meaning.

Lee (I) is the second most common surname in South Korea, second only to Kim. It is estimated that over 20% of South Koreans bear this name. The surname has deep roots in Korean history, with many clans tracing their lineage to the founding monarch of the Joseon Dynasty, Yi Seong-gye, who established the dynasty in 1392. The Joseon royal family used the surname Yi, and subsequent generations spread the name across the peninsula.

Notable Bearers

Although the specific spelling "I" is rare internationally, it is used by some modern Koreans, particularly those who prefer a simpler romanization or adhere to the McCune-Reischauer system (which does not mark the initial consonant palatalization of "Lee"). Among Koreans, the name is overwhelmingly pronounced as Ee, regardless of the spelling.

• Meaning: "plum" (via Chinese character 李)
• Origin: Korean (Sino-Korean)
• Type: Surname
• Region: South Korea (and worldwide Korean diaspora)
• Related forms: Lee, Yi, Li