Ruud is a Dutch masculine given name, typically a short form of Rudolf. The name Rudolf itself derives from the Germanic element hruod meaning "fame" and wolf meaning "wolf," giving the compounded meaning "famous wolf." As a Dutch diminutive, Ruud is used independently in the Netherlands. One of the most notable bearers of this name is Ruud Gullit (born 1962), a retired Dutch soccer player who achieved international fame in the 1980s and 1990s. His success contributed to the popularity of the name Ruud in the Netherlands and beyond. Cultural Significance While primarily a Dutch given name, the form Ruud also appears as a Norwegian surname deriving from Old Norse ruð meaning "clearing." This parallel meaning reflects a different origin: homesteads or farms named after a land clearing. The name ties etymologically to several variants across Germanic cultures, including Rolf (Swedish), Rollo (English), and Rother (Old High German) from which cognates of the element “wolf” appear. Key facts about Ruud: Meaning: “famous wolf” (via Rudolf) Origin: Dutch short form of Rudolf Type: First name (also Norwegian surname from ‘clearing’) Usage Regions: Primarily Netherlands; surname in Norway Related Names: Rudolf, Rudolph, Rolf