knute

Knute is a term with multiple uses in Northern European language and culture. In Norwegian and related Scandinavian languages, knute means a knot or a tie, and the word appears in everyday usage as a common noun.

In onomastics, Knute is a medieval Norse given name. It derives from Old Norse Knútr, meaning "knot" or "knotting", and it is the linguistic source of the modern names Knut, Knud, and the anglicized Canute/Cnut. The name is historically associated with rulers in the Viking and medieval periods, including Canute the Great.

In English-language usage, Knute is primarily a masculine given name, especially in the United States, where a well-known bearer is Knute Rockne, the Notre Dame football coach (1888–1931). The form has produced various spellings across cultures, and when used as a surname it remains relatively rare.

Variations of the name include Knut and Cnut, reflecting its Norse origins and its adaptation into different languages. The name’s historical associations with leadership and maritime culture are often noted in discussions of medieval Scandinavian and British history.