Rusu is a Romanian surname derived from rus, meaning “Russian.” It originates as an ethnic name for someone who was Russian or had associations with Russia. The word rus itself traces back to the Old East Slavic Русь (Rus′), the name of a medieval state and its people. The suffix -u is a common Romanian patronymic ending, making Rusu equivalent to “son of the Russian” or “the Russian.”
Historical Context
Romania has a long history of contact with Slavic peoples, including Russians. The surname Rusu likely emerged in regions such as Moldavia and Bukovina, where Russian influence was present through trade, migration, or political ties. It may have been applied to immigrants from Russia or to Romanians who had some Russian connection.
Notable Bearers
Although detailed biographies are scarce in the primary sources, individuals bearing the surname – such as Emanoil Rusu (a Romanian writer) – contribute to its legacy.
Statistics
According to the 2010 United States Census, Rusu was the 36,838th most common surname in the US, with 606 bearers, and the majority (97.03%) identified as White. The name is also found in Romania and Moldova.
Sources: Wiktionary — Rusu