Cnut

Scandinavian

"knot"

Cnut Origin and Meaning

The name Cnut is a boy's name.

Cnut is a historical masculine name of Old Norse origin, most famously associated with King Cnut (or Canute) the Great, who ruled England, Denmark, and Norway in the 11th century. The name derives from the Old Norse 'Knútr,' meaning 'knot,' possibly symbolizing strength or unity. Various spellings include Canute, Knut, and Knud, with the latter forms more common in modern Scandinavian countries. The name fell out of common usage in England after the Norman Conquest but retained popularity in Denmark and Norway. Despite its historical significance, Cnut remains extremely rare as a given name in English-speaking countries, partly due to its unfortunate visual similarity to a vulgar English word.

Famous People Named Cnut

• Canute I (or Cnut or Harthacnut) King of Denmark
• Canute II (or Cnut) "the Great " King of England, Denmark, and Norway