Ruth Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Ruth Name Meaning

Fact: The name Ruth appears in various literary works, including “Ruth” by Elizabeth Gaskell, a novel that addresses social issues.

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A Deep Dive

Ruth Overview

Meaning

Companion, friend, compassionate friend

Gender

Girl

Origin

Hebrew

Etymology

Originated from the Hebrew name “Rut,” meaning “friend” or “companion.”

Pronunciation

/ruːθ/

Popularity

Ruth is a timeless name beloved in many countries, including the USA and Israel. In 2023, Ruth ranked #189 for girls in the USA.

Syllable

1 syllable

Length

4 letters

Numerology

22 (Influential, Visionary, Powerful)

Name Styles

Short, Classic, Vintage

Associated Traits

Loyal, compassionate, steadfast

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Ruth is a significant biblical figure known for her loyalty and devotion in the Book of Ruth in the Old Testament.

Name Day

November 1 (Sweden)
A Deep Dive

Ruth Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Rufa, Rut, Rūta, Ruta, Rute, Ruthanne, Ruthi, Ruthia, Ruthina

Common Nicknames

Rooti, Ruther, Rutherford, Rue

Diminutives

Roo, Ruthy, Ruti, Rudy

Famous People

  • Ruth Bader Ginsburg
    (American Supreme Court Justice)
  • Ruth Gordon
    (American Actress)
  • Ruth Westheimer
    (German-American Sex Therapist)
  • Ruth Brown
    (American Singer)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Ruth Bader Ginsburg
    ("RBG," Documentary)
  • "Ruth"
    (Novel)
  • Ruth DeWitt Bukater
    ("Titanic," Film)
  • Ruth
    ("Ruthless," TV Series)
  • "Ruth's Redemption"
    (Album)

Places

  • Ruth Town
    (White Pine County, Nevada, United States)
  • Ruth Lake
    (Mendocino County, California, United States)
  • Ruth Park
    (St. Louis, Missouri, United States)
  • Ruth Village
    (Norrbotten County, Sweden)
  • Ruth Glacier
    (Alaska, United States)

What Is the Meaning of Ruth?

Ruth means “compassionate friend” or “companion.” The name represents qualities of loyalty, kindness, and empathy, often associated with a nurturing and supportive nature.

What Is the Origin of The Name Ruth?

The name Ruth has Hebrew origins, derived from the Hebrew word “re’ut,” which means “friend” or “companion.” It is famously known from the biblical Book of Ruth, where Ruth is depicted as a symbol of devotion and loyalty.

Ruth Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Ruth in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#1872021#1792022#1872023
Top 3 Rankings#31893#41908#41909

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Ruth

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023187
(-8 from 2022)
1594
(-70 from 2022)
0.09113
2022179
(+8 from 2021)
1664
(+87 from 2021)
0.09280
2021187
(+32 from 2020)
1577
(+251 from 2020)
0.08802
2020219
(+11 from 2019)
1326
(-25 from 2019)
0.07501
2019230
(+31 from 2018)
1351
(+101 from 2018)
0.07363
2018261
(+3 from 2017)
1250
(+39 from 2017)
0.06722
2017264
(+31 from 2016)
1211
(+108 from 2016)
0.06410
2016295
(-3 from 2015)
1103
(-3 from 2015)
0.05698
2015292
(+17 from 2014)
1106
(+44 from 2014)
0.05669
2014309
(+18 from 2013)
1062
(+69 from 2013)
0.05429
2013327
(+11 from 2012)
993
(+62 from 2012)
0.05151
2012338
(+17 from 2011)
931
(+25 from 2011)
0.04800
2011355
(-10 from 2010)
906
(-26 from 2010)
0.04676
2010345
(+9 from 2009)
932
(+17 from 2009)
0.04753
2009354
(+2 from 2008)
915
(-13 from 2008)
0.04518
2008356
(-12 from 2007)
928
(-35 from 2007)
0.04455
2007344
(+21 from 2006)
963
(+74 from 2006)
0.04550
2006365
(-18 from 2005)
889
(-19 from 2005)
0.04253
2005347
(+3 from 2004)
908
(-4 from 2004)
0.04474
2004350
(-6 from 2003)
912
(+16 from 2003)
0.04520
2003344
(-10 from 2002)
896
(-9 from 2002)
0.04466
2002334
(-8 from 2001)
905
(-44 from 2001)
0.04582
2001326
(+13 from 2000)
949
(+40 from 2000)
0.04791
2000339
(+4 from 1999)
909
(+34 from 1999)
0.04555
1999343
(-1 from 1998)
875
(+22 from 1998)
0.04495
1998342
(-9 from 1997)
853
(-4 from 1997)
0.04400
1997333
(+13 from 1996)
857
(+55 from 1996)
0.04489
1996346
(-26 from 1995)
802
(-51 from 1995)
0.04183
1995320
(-12 from 1994)
853
(-29 from 1994)
0.04439
1994308
No change from 1993
882
(+21 from 1993)
0.04525
1993308
(+11 from 1992)
861
(+6 from 1992)
0.04367
1992319
(-34 from 1991)
855
(-130 from 1991)
0.04265
1991285
(+20 from 1990)
985
(+78 from 1990)
0.04844
1990305
(-32 from 1989)
907
(-79 from 1989)
0.04415
1989273
(-17 from 1988)
986
(-11 from 1988)
0.04949
1988256
(-8 from 1987)
997
(-34 from 1987)
0.05184
1987248
(-10 from 1986)
1031
(-53 from 1986)
0.05501
1986238
(-6 from 1985)
1084
(-32 from 1985)
0.05874
1985232
(-9 from 1984)
1116
(-49 from 1984)
0.06044
1984223
No change from 1983
1165
(+41 from 1983)
0.06460
1983223
(-1 from 1982)
1124
(-54 from 1982)
0.06280
1982222
(-15 from 1981)
1178
(-89 from 1981)
0.06493
1981207
No change from 1980
1267
(+10 from 1980)
0.07084
1980207
(+9 from 1979)
1257
(+55 from 1979)
0.07059
1979216
(-4 from 1978)
1202
(-6 from 1978)
0.06975
1978212
No change from 1977
1208
(+17 from 1977)
0.07348
1977212
(-7 from 1976)
1191
(-7 from 1976)
0.07240
1976205
(-6 from 1975)
1198
(-32 from 1975)
0.07621
1975199
(-4 from 1974)
1230
(-69 from 1974)
0.07880
1974195
(+6 from 1973)
1299
(+26 from 1973)
0.08294
1973201
No change from 1972
1273
(-110 from 1972)
0.08191
1972201
(-11 from 1971)
1383
(-245 from 1971)
0.08576
1971190
(-12 from 1970)
1628
(-189 from 1970)
0.09289
1970178
(-10 from 1969)
1817
(-84 from 1969)
0.09919
1969168
(-19 from 1968)
1901
(-247 from 1968)
0.10784
1968149
(-4 from 1967)
2148
(-271 from 1967)
0.12564
1967145
(-17 from 1966)
2419
(-428 from 1966)
0.14090
1966128
(-10 from 1965)
2847
(-384 from 1965)
0.16215
1965118
(-4 from 1964)
3231
(-410 from 1964)
0.17680
1964114
(-1 from 1963)
3641
(-230 from 1963)
0.18602
1963113
(-9 from 1962)
3871
(-419 from 1962)
0.19471
1962104
(-8 from 1961)
4290
(-605 from 1961)
0.21165
196196
(+1 from 1960)
4895
(-48 from 1960)
0.23566
196097
No change from 1959
4943
(-112 from 1959)
0.23767
195997
(-7 from 1958)
5055
(-192 from 1958)
0.24319
195890
(-6 from 1957)
5247
(-419 from 1957)
0.25400
195784
(-7 from 1956)
5666
(-410 from 1956)
0.27005
195677
(-7 from 1955)
6076
(-110 from 1955)
0.29502
195570
(-4 from 1954)
6186
(-380 from 1954)
0.30854
195466
(-4 from 1953)
6566
(-16 from 1953)
0.32981
195362
(-5 from 1952)
6582
(-371 from 1952)
0.34112
195257
(-4 from 1951)
6953
(-123 from 1951)
0.36556
195153
(-4 from 1950)
7076
(-52 from 1950)
0.38305
195049
(-2 from 1949)
7128
(-522 from 1949)
0.40534
194947
(-2 from 1948)
7650
(-253 from 1948)
0.43577
194845
(-1 from 1947)
7903
(-578 from 1947)
0.45350
194744
(-6 from 1946)
8481
(+7 from 1946)
0.46653
194638
(-5 from 1945)
8474
(+428 from 1945)
0.52539
194533
(-1 from 1944)
8046
(-628 from 1944)
0.59772
194432
(+1 from 1943)
8674
(-695 from 1943)
0.63475
194333
No change from 1942
9369
(+54 from 1942)
0.65271
194233
(-5 from 1941)
9315
(+452 from 1941)
0.66992
194128
(-4 from 1940)
8863
(-24 from 1940)
0.71132
194024
(-2 from 1939)
8887
(-176 from 1939)
0.75228
193922
(-1 from 1938)
9063
(-240 from 1938)
0.79916
193821
(-6 from 1937)
9303
(-299 from 1937)
0.81502
193715
(+1 from 1936)
9602
(+385 from 1936)
0.87145
193616
(-1 from 1935)
9217
(-772 from 1935)
0.85536
193515
(-2 from 1934)
9989
(-576 from 1934)
0.91915
193413
No change from 1933
10565
(-572 from 1933)
0.97612
193313
(-2 from 1932)
11137
(-1119 from 1932)
1.06468
193211
No change from 1931
12256
(-875 from 1931)
1.10784
193111
(-1 from 1930)
13131
(-1811 from 1930)
1.18971
193010
(-2 from 1929)
14942
(-1079 from 1929)
1.28097
19298
(-2 from 1928)
16021
(-1838 from 1928)
1.38404
19286
No change from 1927
17859
(-1554 from 1927)
1.49381
19276
No change from 1926
19413
(-812 from 1926)
1.57007
19266
No change from 1925
20225
(-2022 from 1925)
1.64408
19256
No change from 1924
22247
(-1353 from 1924)
1.76133
19246
No change from 1923
23600
(-38 from 1923)
1.82145
19236
(-1 from 1922)
23638
(+5 from 1922)
1.88732
19225
No change from 1921
23633
(-2150 from 1921)
1.89431
19215
No change from 1920
25783
(-319 from 1920)
2.01474
19205
No change from 1919
26102
(+1539 from 1919)
2.09818
19195
No change from 1918
24563
(-971 from 1918)
2.09111
19185
No change from 1917
25534
(+1966 from 1917)
2.12366
19175
No change from 1916
23568
(+379 from 1916)
2.09738
19165
No change from 1915
23189
(+1311 from 1915)
2.13583
19155
No change from 1914
21878
(+6039 from 1914)
2.13681
19145
No change from 1913
15839
(+3230 from 1913)
1.98826
19135
No change from 1912
12609
(+1329 from 1912)
1.92529
19125
No change from 1911
11280
(+3277 from 1911)
1.92257
19115
No change from 1910
8003
(+791 from 1910)
1.81138
19105
(-1 from 1909)
7212
(+703 from 1909)
1.71908
19094
No change from 1908
6509
(+329 from 1908)
1.76830
19084
(+1 from 1907)
6180
(+607 from 1907)
1.74315
19075
No change from 1906
5573
(+433 from 1906)
1.65159
19065
No change from 1905
5140
(+72 from 1905)
1.63990
19055
No change from 1904
5068
(+168 from 1904)
1.63556
19045
No change from 1903
4900
(+383 from 1903)
1.67559
19035
No change from 1902
4517
(+133 from 1902)
1.62368
19025
No change from 1901
4384
(+410 from 1901)
1.56387
19015
No change from 1900
3974
(-791 from 1900)
1.56316
19005
No change from 1899
4765
(+853 from 1899)
1.49966
18995
No change from 1898
3912
(-337 from 1898)
1.58068
18985
No change from 1897
4249
(+371 from 1897)
1.54990
18975
No change from 1896
3878
(-27 from 1896)
1.56198
18965
(+1 from 1895)
3905
(+354 from 1895)
1.54965
18956
No change from 1894
3551
(+179 from 1894)
1.43704
18946
(-3 from 1893)
3372
(-286 from 1893)
1.42898
18933
(+2 from 1892)
3658
(+368 from 1892)
1.62410
18925
(+14 from 1891)
3290
(+1433 from 1891)
1.46279
189119
(+27 from 1890)
1857
(+662 from 1890)
0.94472
189046
No change from 1889
1195
(+122 from 1889)
0.59257
188946
(+13 from 1888)
1073
(+223 from 1888)
0.56707
188859
(+3 from 1887)
850
(+223 from 1887)
0.44868
188762
(+4 from 1886)
627
(+46 from 1886)
0.40342
188666
(+4 from 1885)
581
(+75 from 1885)
0.37793
188570
(+4 from 1884)
506
(+64 from 1884)
0.35647
188474
(-1 from 1883)
442
(+55 from 1883)
0.32126
188373
(+7 from 1882)
387
(+64 from 1882)
0.32234
188280
(+4 from 1881)
323
(+48 from 1881)
0.27918
188184
(+9 from 1880)
275
(+41 from 1880)
0.27819
188093
First SSA data recorded
234
First SSA data recorded
0.23974

American States Popularity Rankings for Ruth

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#1602021#1662022#1972023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#2112021#2182022#2042023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#1562021#1622022#1492023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#1612021#2312022#2502023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#2152021#2012022#1902023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#2322021#2822022#3202023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#2342021#2012022#2212023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#1762021#2152022#1812023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#4142021#2102022#2432023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#2222021#2022022#1842023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#1952021#1402022#1612023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#1552021#2442022#1722023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#1762021#1212022#1502023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#2092021#1682022#1542023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#1972021#2092022#1782023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#1672021#1652022#1812023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#1092021#1172022#952023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#1602021#1282022#1342023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#2262021#1652022#2032023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#3912007#3282017#3522023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#2252021#1652022#1952023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#1662021#1212022#1442023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#1892021#1332022#1422023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#1372021#1832022#2932023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#1492021#1672022#1472023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#2722021#2202022#2172023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#1792021#1332022#2172023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#1782021#1132022#1752023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#3002021#1952022#5212023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#3132021#1622022#1982023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#1912021#2622022#1852023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#1082021#1732022#1522023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#1992021#1672022#1742023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1452021#1772022#1252023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#1142021#1262022#1372023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#1202021#1242022#1272023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#2532021#1382022#2272023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1382021#1592022#1982023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#2722021#2452022#2072023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#2482021#872022#712023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1432021#1132022#582023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#2291998#1702003#2102019

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#2342021#1332022#1752023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#2092020#2062021#2072022

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#3912020#3902021#3052023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1082020#1022021#852022

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#2172012#2442014#2182022

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#1602019#2252021#2172023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#981975#1641984#1042023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1682021#1752022#832023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#6062021#5882022#2272023

Popularity Rankings for Ruth in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#522021#1112022#1022023

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#891966#941967#991968

Popularity in Greenland

Greenland flagGreenland#1472019#1422020#1402021

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#1472018#1752019#1852020

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#3412015#1512017#2222019

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#1652021#2032022#2792023

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina flagArgentina#1981987#1681990#1891999

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#1691992#1941994#1981996

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#2732021#3492022#3022023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#3952020#3592021#2932023

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#2992021#3002022#3082023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#3502021#3052022#3912023

Popularity in Mexico

Mexico flagMexico#3672020#3402021

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#3902021#4292022#4492023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#4492018#4472019#4822023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#5822019#5822020#5672021

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#7292013

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#9142015#7562019#8902022

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Ruth a Name for Boys or Girls?

Ruth is most often given to girls, appreciated for its simplicity and grace. The name’s association with loyalty and friendship resonates with many parents seeking a meaningful name.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Ruth

Ruth in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Supreme Court Justice, 1933–2020): American Supreme Court Justice, celebrated for her work on gender equality and civil liberties.
  • Ruth Gordon (Actress, 1896–1985): American actress and screenwriter, Oscar-winner for her role in "Rosemary's Baby."
  • Ruth Westheimer (Sex Therapist, born 1928): German-American sex therapist and media personality, known for her candid and humorous advice on sex and relationships.
  • Ruth Brown (Singer, 1928–2006): American R&B singer, pivotal in the 1950s music scene, often referred to as the "Queen of R&B."
  • Ruth Handler (Toy Inventor, 1916–2002): American businesswoman, creator of the Barbie doll, co-founder of Mattel.
  • Ruth Ellis (Activist, 1899–2000): American LGBTQ+ activist, noted for her advocacy and support of LGBTQ+ youth.
  • Ruth Wilson (Actress, born 1982): British actress, acclaimed for her roles in "Luther" and "The Affair."
  • Ruth Ozeki (Author, born 1956): American-Canadian author and filmmaker, known for her novel "A Tale for the Time Being."
  • Ruth First (Journalist, 1925–1982): South African anti-apartheid activist and journalist, assassinated for her political work.
  • Ruth Benedict (Anthropologist, 1887–1948): American anthropologist, influential in the study of cultural patterns and societies.
  • Ruth Bader Ginsburg ("RBG," 2018 Documentary): Chronicles the life and career of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, highlighting her contributions to gender equality and civil rights.
  • "Ruth" (2020 Novel): A touching story about Ruth, a woman who navigates life's challenges while discovering her own strength and resilience.
  • Ruth DeWitt Bukater ("Titanic," 1997 Film): The wealthy mother of Rose, whose societal expectations clash with her daughter's romantic aspirations.
  • Ruth ("Ruthless," 2016 TV Series): Follows the complex life of Ruth, a formidable lawyer balancing her demanding career with personal struggles.
  • "Ruth's Redemption" (2015 Album): An album filled with soulful songs telling the story of Ruth's journey to find forgiveness and redemption.
  • Ruth Langmore ("Ozark," 2017 TV Series): A tough and resourceful young woman deeply entangled in the criminal underworld of the Ozarks.
  • "Ruthless" (2018 Video Game): An action-adventure game where players take on the role of Ruth, a fierce warrior on a quest for vengeance.
  • Ruth Younger ("A Raisin in the Sun," 1961 Film): A pivotal character in this classic film, struggling with the pressures of family and societal expectations.
  • "Ruth's Garden" (2019 Novel): An enchanting story of Ruth, who finds solace and transformation in tending to her grandmother's neglected garden.
  • Ruth Fisher ("Six Feet Under," 2001 TV Series): The matriarch of the Fisher family, dealing with the complexities of running a funeral home and raising her children.
  • Ruth Town (White Pine County, Nevada, United States): Ruth is a small mining town located in White Pine County.
  • Ruth Lake (Mendocino County, California, United States): Ruth Lake is a reservoir in the Mad River watershed.
  • Ruth Park (St. Louis, Missouri, United States): Ruth Park offers recreational facilities including golf and walking trails.
  • Ruth Glacier (Alaska, United States): Ruth Glacier is a major glacier located in Denali National Park.
  • Ruth Village (Norrbotten County, Sweden): Ruth is a village in the Norrbotten County.

Similar Names to Ruth

Sibling Names for Ruth