Oliver Kahn
BARCELONA – 22 AUG: Kahn of Bayern Munich during a friendly match between Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona at the Nou Camp Stadium on 22 August, 2006 in Barcelona, Spain, Maxisports/Bigstock.com
Birth Name: Oliver Rolf Kahn
Place of Birth: Karlsruhe, West Germany (now Germany)
Date of Birth: 15 June, 1969
Ethnicity: German, Baltic German, Latvian
Oliver Kahn is a German professional footballer and executive. A goalkeeper, he played for Karlsruher SC II, Karlsruher SC, and Bayern Munich, and the Germany national team. He had a long playing career before moving into football management. He was CEO of Bayern Munich.
Oliver is the son of Rita and Rolf Kahn, a professional footballer. His father was born in Liepāja, Latvia. He is married to Svenja. Oliver has two children with his former wife Simone; and a son with Svenja.
Oliver’s paternal grandfather was named Rolf Kahn. Rolf was a Baltic German.
Oliver’s paternal grandmother was named Ērika Alksnis. Ērika was of Latvian origin.
How is it possible for an ethnic European to have the surname “Kahn”? Isn’t that surname mostly found among Muslim populations in South Asia?
Not really because Kahn is of Germanic origin, whereas Khan is of South Asian and Central Asian origin.
But I understand the confusion since they look very similar
I didn’t know he was part Latvian. He certainly differs a bit to mainstream Germans, thus that makes sense.
Feels like Baltic German should just be listed as a tag.