Surname Göksu - Meaning and Origin

Göksu: What does the surname Göksu mean?

The last name Göksu is of Turkish origin. It is derived from the Turkish word 'gök', which means 'sky'. The ending 'su' is a suffix meaning 'water'. Therefore, the literal meaning of the name Göksu is 'water of the sky' or 'heavenly water'.

Göksu is commonly found in the western Anatolian coastal areas of Lapseki, Söke, and Foça in Turkey. Many people with the last name Göksu are believed to have ancestry from the Yoruks, a nomadic Turkic-speaking people from Anatolia who were known for their seafaring skills and explorations. This makes sense given the origins of the name Göksu, as water has always been an essential element for maritime activities.

The Göksu name has also been associated with descendants of St. Paul, suggesting that Christianity was present in the area before its official introduction by the Byzantine Empire. This is supported by the fact that the Ikizdere region near Rize, the birthplace of Saint Paul, is heavily populated by people of the Göksu name.

In modern times, the Göksu name is shared by prominent figures like businesswoman Meral Göksu, actor Okan Yalabık, and journalist Ali Göksu. The Göksu surname is also widely represented in the professional and academic circles of Turkey, indicative of the strong presence of Göksu families in the educational system of the country.

Göksu: Where does the name Göksu come from?

The surname Göksu is most commonly found in Turkey today. Depending on the census year, Göksu is listed as one of the top 500 most common surnames in Turkey, ranking around the 150th position. Göksu is also used as a regional name in some parts of the Black Sea and Southeastern Anatolia.

In addition, Göksu is found in other parts of the world with large Turkish diaspora populations such as Germany, Britain, the United States, Bulgaria, Canada, and Greece. Göksu is also a common name among Azerbaijanis in Iran and Azerbaijan.

The meaning and origin of the Göksu surname differ depending on a family's regional origin. While it does not have one specific meaning, some of the interpretations that Göksu has been given in Turkey are “smith”, “running water”, and “red/crimson village”. It could also be a toponym from Göksun, a historic market town founded under the Ottoman Empire and located in present-day Turkey.

The Göksu surname is often carried with a great deal of pride, often indicating its great significance to the generations of the families who hold it.

Variations of the surname Göksu

The surname Göksu is derived from Turkish and has two variants that are widely used today, namely Göksu and Goksu. Both variants are alternative spellings of the same surname in the Turkic language. The two variants may sometimes also be written as Goksov or Goksovo, depending on what country or region they are found.

In Turkey, the surname Göksu can also have additional variants, including Göksü, Göksüler, Göksülü, Göksul, Goksel, Gokseli and Gokseler. These variants are all from the same Turkic language and are used interchangeably.

The surname Göksu also has alternative names and historical spellings in Central Asia and the Caucuses, such as Gojsu, Gojsa, Gojsah and Gojsare. Gojsulevi, Gojsuvi, Gojsuv and Gojsuvae are also alternative spellings for the Göksu surname in parts of Central Asia.

The surname Göksu can also be found in some Slavic countries, including Russia, where the spelling is Koys and Koiskiy, and in Ukraine, where it is Gokshy and Gokshiy.

The Göksu surname can also be found among the Sephardic Jews, where it is specifically referred to as Goixubar or Goixunbar. The same surname can also be found among the Persian Jews in Iran and surrounding countries, where it is known as Goixu or Govsu.

Finally, the surname Göksu can also be found in other countries, such as the US, Canada, Latin America and Europe, where it is either spelled Göksu or Goksu. Regardless of the spelling or variant, the Göksu surname has Turkic and Ashkenazi Jewish origins.

Famous people with the name Göksu

• Kanat Göksu: Turkish pop singer from Istanbul.
• Çağlar Göksu: Turkish pop singer from Istanbul.
• Semanur Göksu: Turkish actress and TV presenter.
• Hanzade Göksu: Turkish actress and model.
• Ahmet Göksu: Turkish film director.
• Özlem Göksu Güven: Turkish popular television actress.
• Murat Göksu: Turkish professional basketball player.
• Yıldırım Göksu: Turkish classical musician and composer.
• Hakan Göksu: Turkish Kurdish singer-songwriter.
• Erkan Göksu: Turkish volleyball player.

Other surnames

Göksungur