While the official byline on this is that this element was named after the Latin name of Russia, it is clear that this is yet another intervention by our beloved Doctor who happened to be accompanied by the talented Dr. Ruth Ingram.  As with most language barriers, poor Karl misspelled RuthIngram as Ruthenium.  Owing in part to this otherwordly experience, Mr. Claus is rumored to have been granted a time loop that he can access once a year on December 24th.