淑

A phono-semantic compound:

水 (water radical) — conveys the idea of clarity, purity

叔 (younger uncle; phonetic) — provides the sound 숙 (suk)

Originally, the character described clear and clean water, from which the abstract meanings pure, good, and virtuous developed.

정숙 (貞淑) — chastity; virtuous propriety

숙녀 (淑女) — lady; gentlewoman

숙덕 (淑德) — virtuous morality

From late Joseon through the modern era, 淑 became strongly associated with feminine virtue, particularly:

- modesty

- gentleness

- moral purity

Because of this, it was widely used in female given names, especially in Korea.

Trend of using 淑 in names (in Korea):

- 1950s–mid-1970s — very common in women’s names among those born during this period;

- late 1970s–early 1980s — occasionally used;

- after the early 1980s — rarely used, due to its perception as old-fashioned and its strong association with traditional gender norms.

As a result, 淑 is sometimes colloquially perceived as an “aunt / grandmother name” character.

While it still appears as a generational name character (항렬자) in some families, or in formal virtue-related words.

Its use in new personal names has significantly declined due to changing cultural values.

In classical literature, 淑 frequently appears in contexts praising moral refinement, especially of women:

淑德 — virtuous character

貞淑 — chaste and virtuous

Related characters:

清 — clear; pure

貞 — chaste; upright

德 — virtue

婉 — gentle; graceful