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Choi (Korean surname)

Choi () is a Korean family surname. As of the South Korean census of 2015, there were around 2.3 million people by this name in South Korea or roughly 4.7% of the population. In English-speaking countries, it is most often anglicized as Choi, and sometimes also Chey, Choe or Chwe. Ethnic Koreans in the former USSR generally prefer the forms Tsoi or Tsoy, especially as a transcription of the Cyrillic Цой.

Origin

  • According to Samguk Sagi, the Gyeongju clan originates from chief Sobeoldori () of Goheochon (), one of six villages that united to found Silla. The Gyeongju clan traces their origin back to Ch'oe Ch'iwŏn (857–10th century), a noted Korean scholar, philosopher, and poet of the late Unified Silla period (668–935).
  • One theory of origin suggests that Haeju clan's progenitor Ch'oe Ch'ung (984–1068) was given the surname during the reign of Goryeo king Mokjong.
  • The progenitor of the Chungju clan is General Choi Seung (), also known as Choi Woo (), of Silla (known as Cui Sheng in the Tang dynasty)
  • The progenitor of the Nangju clan is Choi Heun () of Silla who was a native of Yeongam (Nangju) of the southern Jeolla region.
  • Choi Ri (), who was known as the leader of the Kingdom of Nakrang

Clans

There are roughly 160 clans of Chois. Most of these are quite small. However, Choi is the 4th most common surname in Korea. The largest by far is the Gyeongju Choi clan, with a 2000 South Korean population of 976,820. The Gyeongju Choi claim the Silla scholar Ch'oe Ch'iwŏn as their founder.

Etymology and Pronunciation

Choi is written with the Hanja character , meaning "a governor who oversees the land and the mountain".

In Korean, is usually pronounced "Chwe" or “Chey” except by some older speakers who pronounce it (this vowel sound is similar to the German ö [ø]). In Spanish, it is most often pronounced "Choy", which sounds clearly different to its proper pronunciation but some go by “Chey”.

Prominent people of the past

Prominent people today

General

  • Dan Choi (born 1981), American LGBT rights activist and former infantry officer
  • Choi Gee-sung (born 1951), South Korean businessman
  • Hamid Choi, South Korean translator and professor
  • Choi Hong-hi, South Korean general and martial artist
  • Choi Hyun-seok (born 1972), South Korean chef and television personality
  • Jay Pil Choi, American economist
  • Choe Jun (1884–1970), businessman and philanthropist
  • Choe Nam-seon (1890–1957), Korean historian and independence activist
  • Sophia Choi (born 1971), American news broadcaster
  • Choi Tae-min (1912–1994), South Korean cult leader
  • Chey Tae-won (born 1960), South Korean business magnate
  • Choi Wonshik, South Korean optical physicist
  • Choi Soon -sil (born 1956), South Korean businesswoman.

Politicians

Arts

General

Actors and actresses

Musicians

Sports

See also

References

External links