Named after Ruislip, probably the leaping place where rushes grow.
Domesday Book records Ruislip as Rislepe, thought to mean a leaping place on the River Pinn where rushes grow, from Old English rysc and hlȳp. The station opened in 1908 as Northolt Junction, became South Ruislip & Northolt Junction in 1932 and took its present name in 1947. Nearby RAF Northolt was named after it, as the nearest station.