[2] Trouw is a Dutch word meaning "fidelity", "loyalty", or "allegiance", and is cognate with the English adjective "true".

The name was chosen to reflect allegiance and loyalty to God and country in spite of the German occupation of the Netherlands.

Trouw was started during World War II by members of the Dutch Protestant resistance against the German occupation.

Amongst the people that lost their life during the war due to their involvement with the newspaper was Trouw co-founder and resistance member Wim Speelman [nl].

In their own words, in 2005, they intended to "remain a newspaper rooted in a Christian tradition and to be a source of contemplation and inspiration for everyone, churchgoer or not, who feels a need for moral and spiritual orientation.