Where did the name rus come from?

The name "Rus" is believed to have originated from the early medieval state of Kievan Rus, which was established by the Varangians, a group of Norse warriors and traders. The term is thought to derive from the Old Norse Word "rods," meaning "to row," referring to the seafaring nature of these Norsemen. Over time, "Rus" came to identify not only the people but also the cultural and political entity that laid the foundation for modern Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. The exact origins and meanings are still debated among historians and linguists.