Names of Seoul

Historically, the city of what is now Seoul has been called in various names, including Wiryeseong, Bukhansangun, Hanyang, Namgyeong, Hanyangbu, and Hanseong.

The name Seoul (서울; IPA: /səˈul/), was originally an old native Korean common noun meaning "capital city."

In 18 A.D., King Onjo of Baekje built the kingdom's capital of Wiryeseong (위례성; 慰禮城), which was located inside the boundaries of modern-day Seoul.

Upon conquering the Baekje capital, Goguryeo established the commandery of Bukhansan (Bukhansangun; Korean: 북한산군; Hanja: 北漢山郡) in the regions surrounding the city.

The city was called Hanyangbu (한양부; 漢陽府) under Mongol rule (1270–1356), and Hanseong (한성; 漢城) or Hanyang (한양; 漢陽) in the Joseon period (1392–1897).

Until recently, some Chinese sources used the older name "Hanseong" (한성; 漢城) to refer to Seoul, as that term does have corresponding Hanja.

[13] The chosen name is a close transliteration of Seoul in Mandarin Chinese; 首 (shǒu) can also mean "first" or "capital".

[citation needed] On a 1751 map of China and Korea prepared in France, Seoul was marked as "King-Ki-Tao, Capitale de la Corée", using an approximation of the Chinese pronunciation of Gyeonggi Province (京畿道).