Surname Rasmus - Meaning and Origin
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Rasmus: What does the surname Rasmus mean?
The last name Rasmus is of Scandinavian origin and is thought to be derived from the Old Norse personal name, Ragnvaldr, which was used by Vikings. The name combines the Old Norse elements regin, meaning 'counsel', and valdr, meaning 'power', which is fitting as the Vikings were known for their strength and bravery. The name is thought to have been popularized by the missionary and scholar Ebbo, who traveled throughout Scandinavia in the 9th century.
Rasmus is an uncommon Scandinavian surname that is used primarily in Denmark and Sweden. It is believed to be the third most common surname in Denmark. It is a popular name among Danish and Swedish immigrants in Canada and the United States.
Due to its Viking roots, Rasmus has come to a few symbolic meanings. It often gets associated with strength and resilience, traits that were highly admired by the Nordic people. It's also seen as a symbol of honor and courage since many notable Vikings bore the Rasmus name.
The Rasmus surname remains a popular surname in countries that have a sizable Scandinavian population. While it's origins lie in the Viking Age, it is still popularized today, and serves as a reminder of the strength and courage that the Nordic people are known for.
Order DNA origin analysisRasmus: Where does the name Rasmus come from?
The last name Rasmus is most commonly found in Scandinavia today. It is a common Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish surname. Rasmus means "son of Rasmus" and can be found in many forms as a patronymic surname in these countries, including Rasmusson, Rasmussen, and Rasmusen.
In Sweden, Rasmus is one of the top 100 most common surnames with nearly 31,000 individuals (as of 2018). In Denmark, Rasmussen is a top 10 surname and Rasmusson is a top 50 with about 19,000 and 8,000 bearers respectively (as of 2017). Rasmus is also a top 50 surname in both Norway and Iceland, with 11,000 and 630 individuals respectively in 2017.
Immigrants of Scandinavian origin have also brought the name to other countries in Europe and overseas in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. In the United States, Rasmus ranked as the 1,azo most common surname in 2018 with 3,860 individuals.
Overall, the Rasmus surname is most commonly found today in Scandinavia, particularly in Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. It is also found in various other countries as a result of Scandinavian immigration throughout the centuries.
Variations of the surname Rasmus
Rasmus is a contemporary Scandinavian spelling for the name Rasmus, with variants appearing in countries such as Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Other spellings and surnames of the same origin include Rasmusson, Rasmusen, Rasmuson, Rasmushus, Rasmus, Råsmus, Råsås, Rössmus, Rasmuss, and Rasmusz.
Rasmusson is the most common variant, originally used as a patronymic surname, meaning "son of Rasmus". It is a traditional Norwegian surname, and the most common surnames in Scandinavian countries are patronymic surnames. Rasmusen is a variation of Rasmussen, a patronymic made up from the personal name of Rasmus, which is an Old Norse nickname of Erasmus.
Rasmuson is another variant used in the United States, most notably in Oregon. Rasmushus and Råsmus are more common in Norway, used as variants of Rasmusson, Rasmusz is a Polish version of Rasmus, and Råsås is an alternate spelling of Rasmus in Norway.
Rössmus is the rarest of variants, found most commonly in Germany. It is an Old German name and a dialect of the Old Saxon language, and originated from the name Rötger or Rotger.
Overall, Rasmus is a popular Scandinavian surname with many spellings and variants, all of which share the same origin.
Famous people with the name Rasmus
- Laura Jane Rasmus: American politician currently serving in the Oklahoma House of Representatives
- Ray Rasmus: American inventor and entrepreneur who pioneered business process automation software
- Martin Rasmus: Norwegian Olympic rower, who competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics
- Eric Rasmusen: American economist specializing in game theory
- Christopher Rasmus: Danish former professional football player
- Mats Rasmus: Swedish former football referee
- Ina-Maria Rasmus: Swedish ambassador and diplomat
- Erik Rasmusen: Danish railroad magnate and founder of the largest private-sector Danish railway network
- Alex Rasmus: Icelandic former professional ice hockey player
- Tomas Rasmus: Finnish singer/songwriter and actor