Yim
A Korean surname, most often written in Hanja as 임/林 and romanized as Yim, Yim, or Im depending on the system.
The #5,650 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 50,252 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Yim is most commonly a Korean family name tied to the Hanja 林, meaning "forest" or "woods," the same character used for the Chinese surname Lin. In Korean pronunciation, the name is usually 임 (Im), but older and alternate romanizations can appear as Yim. In some cases, Yim can also reflect Chinese surnames rendered in English spelling by diaspora families, so the exact underlying form may vary by lineage.
History
The surname is best known in Korea, where the underlying name 임/林 is longstanding and widespread, with multiple clan lineages. In the United States, Yim appears chiefly among Korean American families, though some bearers may come through Chinese or other East Asian naming traditions. English spelling is inconsistent because romanization practices have changed over time.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The same Chinese character 林 is usually read as Lin in Mandarin, Lim in many Southeast Asian Chinese communities, and Im in Korean.