The Rus () were an early medieval group or people who gave their name to the lands of Russia, Ruthenia, and Belarus. In the mid-800s they were centered around Novgorod. They dominated the area for over a hundred years. Many of the leaders of the Rus had Scandinavian names, later both Scandinavian and Slavic names. The Varangian Ruses of Novgorod, intermingled (mixed) with the Slavs of Kiev and it became known Kievan Rus'. 