Surname Shim - Meaning and Origin
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Shim: What does the surname Shim mean?
The last name Shim is of Korean origin. This surname can also be romanized as "Sim" depending on the regional dialect. The name is relatively common in Korea, although it is not among the most widely used surnames. The bearers of the Shim surname belong to one of several different clans, each of which has its own distinct lineage. Each clan traces its roots back to a specific ancestral figure. Jeonju Shim clan, for instance, consider the Goryeo period General Shim On as their ancestor, while the Chungju Shim clan regards the scholar Shim Hoon as their progenitor. The meaning of "Shim" varies as per the characters used to write it in Hanja (Korean script based on Chinese characters). Therefore, it is challenging to pin down a single connotation for this surname. However, some definitions might be heart, mind, or God. Regardless, surnames like Shim in East Asian cultures are significantly centred on ancestry and familial lineage rather than literal meaning.
Order DNA origin analysisShim: Where does the name Shim come from?
The last name Shim is commonly found in East Asian countries today. In particular, the Shim surname is found in large numbers in Korea and Japan. It is also found in some other East Asian countries such as China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, but is more frequent in the two aforementioned countries.
The Shim last name is descended from ancient Korean noble class, which can be traced back until the Goryeo Dynasty (918 – 1392). Before then, the Shim were known as the Shillyeong Shim (meaning "clever scent"), which was derived from the royal family of the Silla Dynasty (57 BC – AD 935).
In recent decades, the Shim last name has become increasingly popular in South Korea. This is due to the popularity of celebrity last names; several famous idols (from both TV and K-Pop) have the Shim last name. This has caused many people in Korea who share the same last name to become closer and more aware of each other’s existence.
In addition, the Shim surname has become popular in Korea through the intermingling of immigrants from China and Japan. After World War II, many immigrants from both countries, mainly of Korean descent, adopted the Shim surname as their last name when they moved to South Korea.
To this day, the Shim last name remains one of the most widely-recognized surnames in East Asia, particularly within the Korean-speaking population.
Variations of the surname Shim
Shim is an uncommon surname of Jewish origin. It is derived from the Hebrew word sham, meaning "there." It is most commonly seen in Israel, where it is spelled Shim or Shem.
In the United States, Shim is an alternate spelling of the surname Shem. It is also the Anglicized spelling of the German and Dutch surname Schim, which is a variant of Schmid, meaning "smith" in German.
Variants of Shim include Shimm, Sham, Shem, Shemm, Schimm, Schim, Schim, Schimme, Schimke and Schmitt. It is also known as Shama or Shammi in some parts of the world.
Surnames that are of the same origin as Shim include Schmid, Schmidt, Smith, Smutz, Smoltz, Zimmermann, Schwartz, Goldman, Pruss, Rosenthal, Friedman, Neustadt, Frankel, and Schwartzman.
The surname Shim is also found in the United Kingdom, Israel, Germany, Austria, France, and the Netherlands. It is associated with the Ashkenazi Jewish population, particularly those of Eastern European descent.
Famous people with the name Shim
- Shim Eun-kyung: South Korean actress, model and singer.
- Shim Soo-Hwan: South Korean musical composer, lyricist and music director.
- Shim Dong-hyuk: North Korean human rights activist and author.
- Shim Eun-ha: South Korean actress.
- Shim Changmin: South Korean singer, songwriter, actor and member of the K-pop group TVXQ.
- Shim Eun-jin: South Korean actress.
- Shim Hye-jin: South Korean actress.
- Shim Eun-won: South Korean composer and lyricist.
- Shim Hye-ryung: South Korean actress.
- Shim Mi-sook: South Korean television personality, psychologist and lifestyle expert.
- Shim Hyung-rae: South Korean actor, comedian and director.
- Shim Jung-hwa: South Korean actress.
- Shim Hyung-tak: South Korean actor and MC.
- Shim Hye-jin: South Korean actress and model.
- Shim Eun-soo: South Korean actress.
- Shim Min-ah: South Korean actress and singer.
- Shim Yo-han: South Korean singer.
- Shim Jaewon: South Korean actor.
- Shim Hye-seon: South Korean singer and actress.
- Shim Hyung-rae: South Korean actor, director, producer and comedian.