Yes a bit provocative title ,I know, but I just want to get some discussion going. I have read from several sources, both Russian and Swedish, that:

1. The "modern" name (and to some extent - people) of "Rus" derrives from the ancient nordic chiefcommanders "Ruserna" (the Rus) and that in thier victorious campaigns, mainly in eastern Europe (from Russia to the middle-east), they "hired" people of slavic origin to fight for them - and supposedly these joined - together people became one and gave name to the modern word of "russian" (note: name)

2. This is not at all the case - That the "Rus" derrives from an entirely different source - namely (note: I dont remember this one to well) that it was the name of some Russian knight or warrior that settled in north western Russia, and that the people, after him, took the name of "russkij"

This is, of course not easily answered today, but I'm sure there is someone who knows this far better than me?

Please fell free to correct me!!!

Best Regards