Woo as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Woo

What is the meaning of the name Woo ?

The baby name Woo is a Unisex name , 1 syllables long and is pronounced oo (IPA: /u/) — like 'oo' in 'food'.

Woo is Korean in Origin.

Woo is a Korean and Chinese name with multiple roots. In Korean, Woo (우) is a unisex given name or name element whose meaning depends on the chosen hanja; popular options include 宇 “universe; dwelling,” 祐 “divine help,” 友 “friend,” 雨 “rain,” and 禹, linked to the legendary Yu the Great. As a Chinese surname, Woo reflects Cantonese and older romanizations of several surnames, most notably 吳 (Mandarin Wú), a spelling long used in overseas communities.

In Korea, single-syllable names like Woo appear in records but more often anchor two-syllable names (e.g., Woo-jin, Woo-young). As a standalone given name, it skews masculine yet remains unisex. Variant spellings include U (Revised Romanization) and Wu (Mandarin Pinyin); Woo stays common in English contexts, aided by simple pronunciation and the friendly verb “to woo.” Notable surname bearers, including director John Woo, have reinforced the spelling in the West.