Goethes

Goethes is the plural form of the German surname Goethe. In German-language texts it can be used to refer to several individuals who bear the surname, such as in genealogical or biographical contexts. In English usage, the surname is typically kept in its singular form (Goethe) when naming individuals, and the plural Goethes is rarely used outside translated or scholarly material.

The name Goethe itself originates in German naming tradition and is most widely associated with Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832), a central figure in German literature and a prolific writer, scientist, and cultural influence. The plural Goethes does not denote a separate historical entity or institution; rather, it marks a group of people sharing the surname.

In scholarly or archival contexts, Goethes may appear when discussing the Goethe family as a subject of study, though such usage remains uncommon outside specialized writing. For general reference, the surname Goethe is used for individuals, while Goethes serves as a plural form referring to multiple bearers of that surname.

See also: Goethe (surname); Johann Wolfgang von Goethe; German literature; genealogical nomenclature.