The name True is an English word name derived from the Old English word "treowe", meaning faithful, loyal, or steadfast. It's believed to have originated as a nickname or descriptive term during the Middle Ages, referring to someone who was perceived as honest, trustworthy, or true to their word.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name True can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where a landowner named Truwi is listed. This name is thought to be a variant spelling of True, indicating the name's use in England during the 11th century.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the name True became more widespread in English-speaking regions, particularly among Puritan and Quaker communities. These religious groups often favored virtue names, and True was seen as a name that embodied the value of honesty and truthfulness.

One of the earliest notable individuals with the name True was True Brewster, born in 1592 in England. He was a son of Mayflower passenger William Brewster and immigrated to the Plymouth Colony in 1620. Another early bearer of the name was True Robinson, born in 1608 in England and later settled in Massachusetts Bay Colony.

In the 18th century, True Selden (1735-1820) was a notable American lawyer and jurist from Virginia. He served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and played a role in drafting the first Virginia Constitution.

True Worthy White (1789-1854) was an American missionary and teacher who established several schools in Hawaii, helping to promote literacy and education among the Native Hawaiian population.

True Whittier (1836-1924) was an American artist and writer, best known for her paintings depicting scenes from New England life. She was also a distant cousin of the renowned poet John Greenleaf Whittier.

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the name True remained relatively uncommon but continued to be used, particularly in the United States. Notable individuals from this period include True Boardman (1837-1918), an American lawyer and politician who served as a U.S. Senator from Connecticut, and True Williams (1888-1970), an American baseball player who played for the Philadelphia Athletics.