"vision of beauty"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Ruth
Pronunciation: [ r-OOTH ]
Does Ruth flow with your last name?
Biblical loyalty in one unforgettable syllable
English
Hebrew
American
Classic
Literary
Strong
Vintage
Spiritual
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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The Story of Ruth
Ruth comes from the Hebrew 'reut' meaning companion or friend. The biblical Ruth — the Moabite daughter-in-law who famously declared 'wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live' — made this name a symbol of extraordinary loyalty and devotion. The Book of Ruth is one of only two books in the Bible named after a woman, and her story has been cherished across Judaism, Christianity, and Islam for millennia.
Ruth was the #1 girl's name in the US from 1892 to 1895, then remained a top-10 name until the 1930s. After decades of declining use, it has experienced a significant vintage revival in the 2010s-2020s as one-syllable Old Testament names became fashionable again, driven also by the cultural legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
The biblical Ruth's declaration of loyalty to Naomi is one of literature's most quoted expressions of devotion. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg — known as RBG — made the name a symbol of advocacy, principle, and standing up for what's right in the 21st century.
Historical Record
Ruth first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 158,060 babies have been named Ruth in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Ruth is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #172 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Ruth was the #1 girls' name in the US in the 1890s
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg was nicknamed the 'Notorious RBG' in a tribute to rapper Biggie Smalls
- The Book of Ruth is one of only two books in the Bible named after a woman (the other is Esther)
Ruth in Other Languages
Arabic
روث
French
Ruth
German
Ruth
Hebrew
רות
Italian
Rut
Spanish
Rut
Japanese
ルース
Popularity Over Time
#172
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Ruth
R
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Politician
1933
US Supreme Court Justice and feminist icon known as the Notorious RBG
R
Ruth (biblical)
Religious
Moabite woman in the Old Testament, symbol of extraordinary loyalty and devotion across three faiths
R
Ruth Langmore Fictional
Other
Fictional antihero character in the Netflix series Ozark, widely regarded as the show's breakout character
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Compare Ruth with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #172
- Total SSA Count
- 1,767
- Cultural Origins
- English Hebrew American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Ruthie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Ruth
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like Ruth
Phonetic neighbors that share Ruth's rhythm, vowel shape, or consonant cluster. Tap any name to see its full "names like" list.
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Ruth is also used as a boy name, ranked #32556.
View Ruth as a boy name →Similar Names
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Old French/Germanic origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ruth
What does the name Ruth mean?
"vision of beauty" (from Hebrew). Ruth comes from the Hebrew 'reut' meaning companion or friend. The biblical Ruth — the Moabite daughter-in-law who famously declared 'wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live' — made this name a symbol of extraordinary loyalty and devotion. The Book of Ruth is one of only two books in the Bible named after a woman, and her story has been cherished across Judaism, Christianity, and Islam for millennia.
What is the origin of the name Ruth?
Ruth has Hebrew, English, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "vision of beauty".
Is Ruth a boy or girl name?
Ruth is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #172. As a boy name, it is ranked #32556. Ruth is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Ruth?
Ruth is pronounced r-OOTH.
How popular is the name Ruth?
Ruth is currently ranked #172 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Ruth?
Common nicknames for Ruth include Ruthie.
What are good middle names for Ruth?
Popular middle name pairings include Ruth Elise, Ruth Marie, Ruth Eleanor, Ruth Anne, Ruth Catherine, Ruth Abigail, and Ruth Pearl.
What are good sibling names for Ruth?
Names that pair well with Ruth as siblings include Naomi, Esther, Miriam, Samuel, Elijah, Hannah, and Boaz.
How many syllables does Ruth have?
Ruth has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Ruth a common or rare name?
Ruth is a popular name, ranked #172 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
What girl names are similar to Ruth?
Browse all middle names, sibling names, or similar names.
About the Name Ruth
Ruth is a girl name with English, Hebrew, and American origins . The name means "vision of beauty" in Hebrew .
Is Ruth a boy or girl name? Ruth is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #172 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #32,556. Ruth is more commonly used as a girl name.
Ruth is currently ranked #172 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Ruth has 1 syllable and is pronounced r-OOTH, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Ruth include Ruthie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Ruth include Ruthie, Ruthann . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis