Koryo
/ˈkɔːr.joʊ/noun
A historical romanization of Goryeo, the Korean dynasty that ruled much of the Korean Peninsula from 918 to 1392.
Did you know?The modern English name Korea ultimately descends from Koryo, so every time you say “Korea,” you are echoing the name of a medieval dynasty.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Korea
Korean
Goguryeo
“The name of an ancient Korean kingdom, whose later forms influenced the dynastic name Koryo.”
7th–10th Century
Middle Chinese
高句麗
“The Chinese written form of Goguryeo, a major kingdom of ancient northeastern Asia.”
918
Middle Korean
고려 (Koryŏ)
“The dynastic name adopted by Wang Geon when he founded the Goryeo state.”
936
Korean
고려
“The unified dynasty after Wang Geon incorporated the Later Three Kingdoms.”
13th Century
Old French/Latin
Corea
“A European rendering of the name transmitted through Asian trade and travel accounts.”
Modern English
English
Koryo
“An established romanization used for the historical dynasty and, in some contexts, Korean cultural or commercial names.”