Retief Goosen ...
South African winner of recent US Open ...I hadn't seen 'Retief' as a first name, anyone know the origin and meaning? For that matter, 'Goosen' would be interesting as well ...
Replies
The French surname Rétif is derived from the adjective rétif, 'restive, intractable'. I think Retief may have the same meaning.
The Dutch surname Goosen is a patronym based on Gossin / Goossin, which is a hypocoristic of Goswijn, 'God/good'.
The Dutch surname Goosen is a patronym based on Gossin / Goossin, which is a hypocoristic of Goswijn, 'God/good'.
Goosen is a Dutch surname. In Amsterdam telephone directory you can find at least 30 Goosen.
In Dutch goose means "goose" but the pronounciation is different from english rather "hawze".
But I ignore if Southafrican pronunciation is similar in Afrikaans to Dutch.
In Dutch goose means "goose" but the pronounciation is different from english rather "hawze".
But I ignore if Southafrican pronunciation is similar in Afrikaans to Dutch.