Kyung-ja
Kyung-ja (경자) is a Korean given name, typically feminine. It is composed of two Sino-Korean morphemes:
- Kyung (경, 敬): Meaning respect, honor, revere, esteem, or reverence.
- Ja (자, 子): Meaning child, offspring, seed, or the first of the twelve Earthly Branches. It can also refer to a person of noble character.
The combination of these morphemes gives the name a meaning that can be interpreted as "respectful child," "honorable child," or a variation thereof. Like many Korean names, the specific meaning can subtly shift depending on the nuances attributed to the individual Hanja (Chinese characters) used to write the name. The popularity of certain characters and names fluctuates over time, influencing the perceived meaning and associations of names like Kyung-ja. Because naming conventions in Korea often incorporate the desire for specific traits or blessings for the child, the connotations of respect and virtue within this name are generally considered positive.