truus

Truus is a Dutch feminine given name, commonly used as a diminutive of Geertruida, the Dutch form of Gertrude. It is also used as a standalone name in the Netherlands and in Dutch-speaking communities in Belgium. The name Geertruida is of Germanic origin, formed from elements meaning “spear” and “strength,” and Truus as a pet form preserves that heritage in a familiar, affectionate form.

In terms of usage and popularity, Truus was relatively common in the Netherlands in the 20th century, especially as families favored informal or affectionate forms of traditional names. In recent decades it has become less common for newborn girls and is now more often associated with older generations, though it remains a recognizable part of Dutch naming culture.

Notable people with the name include Truus Wijsmuller-Meijer, commonly known as Tante Truus, a Dutch humanitarian who organized and facilitated the rescue of Jewish children from Nazi-occupied Europe during the late 1930s and early 1940s, helping them reach safety in the Netherlands and Britain. Her work is remembered as a significant act within the broader aid efforts of that period.

Overall, Truus remains a distinctly Dutch name with roots in a traditional given name, carrying associations of familiarity and familial affection in Dutch-speaking communities.