russ

Russ is a masculine given name. In many cases it is a shortened form of Russell, but it can also be used as a standalone name. The form remains common in English-speaking countries and appears across a range of fields, including sports and the arts.

Notable individuals who are known simply as Russ include the American rapper Russ (born Russell Vitale, 1992). The name is also a common nickname for people named Russell, such as the professional basketball player Russell Westbrook, who is widely referred to as “Russ.”

Historically, Rus or Rus’ designates the East Slavic population and the medieval state of Kievan Rus’, from which the ethnonym Russia and the Russian language derive. In historical and linguistic contexts, Russ can appear as an alternate spelling or shortened form related to Rus’.

Other uses of the term include place names or fictional characters named Russ. In contemporary usage, Russ as a given name or nickname is the primary association.