An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Ruhm

by Friedrich Kluge

Ruhm, m., ‘fame, celebrity; rumour,’ from MidHG. ruom (ruon), m., ‘fame, honour, praise,’ OHG. ruon, earlier hruom, m.; comp. OSax. hrôm, m., ‘fame,’ Du. roem. From the root hrô are derived, with a different suffix, the equiv. OIc. hróðr, m., AS. hrêþ, m., OHG. hruod-, ruod-, in compounds like Rudolf, Robert, &c.; also Goth. hrôþeigs, ‘victorious.’ The Teut. root hrô is based on Aryan kar, krā̆, to which Sans. kir, ‘to commend,’ and kîrtí, ‘fame,’ are allied.