Surname Gönül - Meaning and Origin

Gönül: What does the surname Gönül mean?

Gönül is a Turkish surname derived from the Turkish word meaning “heart” or “soul”. In Turkish culture, the surname Gönül connotes someone with a heart-felt skill or passion of some sort. It implies a sense of emotional depth, and that the bearer of the surname is somebody to be trusted and respected.

In fact, in modern Turkish culture the name has come to signify a kind of vulnerability and deep sensitivity. This extends to the idea that the bearer of the name is capable of not only selfless love and compassion, but also of enduring pain and hardship in order to protect those they are closest to. This “loyalty of the heart” is attributed to those bearing the name Gönül.

The surname Gönül is an ancient one and carries with it the weight of not only Turkish heritage, but an incredibly generous and compassionate heart. Those who bear the name pride themselves on being able to give of themselves, both emotionally and physically, to those they care about. It also implies a level of quiet strength and determination that allow them to remain devoted even in the worst of times.

To the Turks, the name Gönül is a badge of honor, a means of celebrating the strength of heart and compassion of both those who have passed it down through generations, and those who will carry it forward.

Gönül: Where does the name Gönül come from?

The last name Gönül is most commonly found in Turkey today. While the surname likely originated in the country, there is evidence to suggest that it has been a part of Turkish culture for centuries.

Today, Gönül is one of the most popular family names in Turkey. According to the Turkish Statistical Institute's 2020 census, it is the 95th most common name in the country. While it is not among the top 100 most common surnames overall, the Gönül name has long roots within specific regions. For instance, it is the 14th most common surname in the “Maritime Black Sea Province,” according to the 2020 census. This flurry of Gönüls may be a reflection of the name’s origin. A popular belief is that it came from the Turkish word “gönül” meaning “heart.” This explains the abundance of the Gönül clan within the country.

Generally, those who carry the name are known to be strong headed and determined. The power of their eye and their unwavering spirit are characteristics linked to the Gönül family. As citizens of Turkey, those with the surname often exhibit a strong sense of pride. They take part in various activities, such as sports, music, and writing, and make sure to put all their energy and enthusiasm into each project they undertake.

All in all, the Gönül surname is predominantly held by Turkish citizens and it is likely that it has been a part of Turkish culture for centuries. Those who hold the name are usually known for their determination, strength, passion, and pride.

Variations of the surname Gönül

The surname Gönül originates from the Turkish word "Gönül", which means "heart". Its variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin can be found in several languages across the world.

In Turkish, it is spelt Gönül and can also be written as Gonul, Gonulle, Gönule, and Gönülle. Variants of Gönül may be found in other Turkic languages such as Azeri and Azerbaijani, with spellings Gonul, Gonullu, Gönul, Gönullu, and Gönüllu.

In Slavic languages, such as Bulgarian and Polish, the surname Gönül may be found spelling variations like Gonul, Gonule, Gönul, Gönule, and Gönüle.

In Arabic, Gönül is translated as Janoubi or Janubi. It can also be spelled Jannoubi, Jannubi, Janoubi, Janouby, Jannoubi, Jannuby, and Janouby.

In Hebrew, the surname Gönül is written as Ganim, Gánim, Gunim, and G’Nim. Variations of the surname can be found in other Middle Eastern languages, like Persian and Kurdish, with spellings Ganam, Gonam, Ghanam, Khanam, Khenam, and Khonam.

In most Western languages, Gönül is also transliterated to Gonules, Gonyles, Gonolles, and Guneles. This name can also be found in Latin American countries as Gónales.

The surname Gönül is also known in other countries with many variants. In Greek, it is written as Gónul, and in Japanese, as Gunaru. In Romania and Hungary, Gönül is known as Ganul and Gonyul, respectively.

Overall, the surname Gönül has many spellings, variants and surnames of the same origin in different languages that stem from the Turkish word for "heart".

Famous people with the name Gönül

• Mehmet Gönül: Turkish former footballer and current chairman of Beşiktaş J.K.
• Özkan Gönül: Turkish pole vaulter.
• Lütfi Gönül: Turkish actor.
• Suat Gönül: Turkish historian and former Minister of Culture and Tourism.
• Yaşar Gönül: Turkish former professional football goalkeeper and former manager of the Turkish national football team.
• Ahmet Gönül: Turkish footballer.
• Abdülkadir Gönül: Turkish politician and current Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.
• Doğan Gönül: Turkish football manager.
• Hayri Gönül: Turkish football manager.
• Volkan Gönül: Turkish football player.

Other surnames

Gönültas