In some variants of Komi mythology, Chudes represent the mythic ancestors of the Komi people. Other sources suggest that ancient Chuds spoke a Baltic-Finnic language similar to the Veps language.
The earliest known record of the word Chud is found in Jordanes' geographical work (ca. 550) and might have been introduced into the Slavic languages through Gothic. Folk etymology, however, derives the word either from Old East Slavic language (chuzhoi, 'foreign'; or chudnyi 'odd'; or chud 'weird') or from a Saami ('thief').
The Russian Primary Chronicle describes Chudes as cofounders of the Kievan Rus state along with Slavs and Vikings. In other ancient East Slavic chronicles, the term "Chudes" refers to several Finnic tribes, proto-Estonian groups in particular. In 1030 Prince Yaroslav the Wise of Kiev won a military campaign against the Chuds and established a fort in Yuryev (present day Tartu, in southeastern Estonia). Kievan rulers then collected tribute from the Chudes of the surrounding ancient Estonian county of Ugaunia, possibly until 1061, when, according to chronicles, Yuryev was burned down by another tribe of Chudes (Sosols). Most of the raids against Chudes described in ancient Russian chronicles occur in present day Estonia. The border lake between Estonia and Russia is still called Chudskoye (Chud Lake) in Russian. However, many ancient references to Chudes talk of peoples very far from Estonia, like Zavoloshka Chudes between Mordovians and Komis. (See Permian animal style.)
Later, the word "Chudes" was more often used for more eastern Finnic peoples, Vepses and Votes in particular, while some derivatives of "chud" like chukhna or chukhonets were applied to more western Finns and Estonians. Following the Russian conquests of Finland 1714-1809, and increasing contacts between Finns and Saint Petersburg, Finns perceived the word Chud to be disparaging and hinting at the Serfdom that the Russians were believed to find fit for the Finns. However, as a disparaging word, it was rather "chukhna" that was applied also to Finns as late as during the Winter War, 1939-1940, between the Soviet Union and Finland.
In present day Russian vernacular the word chukhna is often used to denote Vepses. The name Chudes (or Northern Chudes) has been used for Veps people also by some anthropologists.
Russian chronicles knew Vepses as "white-eyed" Chudes. Even though Chudes were victims of many Russian attacks, even finally almost annihilated by them, Russian folktales know Chudes in a very positive sense. Chudes were described as beautiful and gallant. While Chudish settlements fell, Chudish women drowned themselves in rivers with their jewelry and children to avoid being shamed or robbed. When Chudish peasants heard about Russian cruelty, they buried themselves alive, also with all of their valuables with them. Russian folk songs tell that Chudes are still living a fine life underground with all of their valuables and beautiful things. Russians have since then dug up many supposed Chudes burial sites in attempt to find treasures.
The mytho-poetical tradition of the Komi the word chud' can also designate (1) Komi heroes and heathens; (2) Old Belivers; (3) another people different from the Komi; (4) robbers -- the latter two are the typical legends in Saami folklore. In fact, the legends about Chuds cover a large area in northern Europe from Scandinavia to the Urals, bounded by Lake Ladoga in the south, the northern and eastern districts of the Vologda province, and passing by the Kirov region, further into Permyakia autonomous region. It has from this area spread to Trans-Ural region through mediation of migrants from European North.
Chudes are also associated with the region Biarmland.