UK boy's name
Sung
Of Korean origin, meaning "obey" or "illustrious, eminent.".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2003. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Sung is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Sung popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2003 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2470, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 5 births.
This profile covers 14 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 1996 to 2003. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 14 living people in the UK are called Sung. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2004 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Sung ranked #2470 for boys in England and Wales in 2003, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1998, when 5 boys were registered as Sung.
- • About 14 living people in the UK are estimated to have Sung as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2470
2003
Births in 2003
5
Latest year
Peak year
1998
5 births
Estimated living
14
2026
Meaning
What does Sung mean?
The name Sung has its origins in the Korean language and culture. It is a variation of the Sino-Korean word 성 (seong), which means "to become" or "to accomplish." The name can also be interpreted as "victorious" or "prosperous."
In ancient Korean history, the name Sung was often given to boys with the hope that they would become successful and accomplish great things in their lives. It was a name that carried aspirations for a prosperous and victorious future.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sung can be found in the Samguk Sagi, a historical record of the Three Kingdoms period in ancient Korea (37 BCE - 935 CE). The text mentions a king named Sung Huibaek, who ruled the kingdom of Silla from 540 to 576 CE.
Throughout Korean history, several notable figures have borne the name Sung. One of the most famous was Sung Si-yeol (1607-1689), a renowned scholar and philosopher during the Joseon Dynasty. He was known for his contributions to Neo-Confucian thought and his writings on ethics and morality.
Another prominent figure was Sung Yun-bong (1835-1922), a Korean independence activist and religious leader who played a significant role in the resistance against Japanese occupation in the early 20th century.
In the field of literature, Sung Hyun (1920-1986) was a celebrated Korean novelist and short story writer, known for his works that explored the human condition and the struggles of ordinary people.
Sung Chang-hyun (1939-2008) was a renowned Korean film director and screenwriter, recognized for his contributions to the Korean New Wave cinema movement in the 1980s.
Sung Shi-kyung (born 1972) is a contemporary Korean singer-songwriter and actor, known for his soulful voice and poetic lyrics, making him one of the most popular artists in the Korean music industry.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have carried the name Sung, showcasing its rich cultural significance and the diverse accomplishments associated with it.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Sung over time
The chart below shows babies named Sung registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2003. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Sung, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2003, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Sung by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Sung was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #2470 | 5 | 1 |
| 1990s | #2216 | 9 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Sung
- Samuel 108,505
- Sebastian 33,008
- Sam 20,889
- Stanley 16,354
- Sonny 15,028
- Sean 15,006
- Scott 12,587
- Seth 9,841
- Syed 9,050
- Stephen 8,884
- Spencer 8,333
- Steven 6,970
FAQ
Sung: questions and answers
How popular is the name Sung in the UK right now?
In 2003, Sung was ranked #2470 for boys in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Sung most popular?
The peak year on record was 1998, with 5 babies registered as Sung in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Sung?
Of Korean origin, meaning "obey" or "illustrious, eminent.".
How many people are called Sung in the UK?
A total of 14 babies have been registered as Sung across the 3 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.