Ruth

Pronunciation: [ r-OOTH ]

Girl Name #172 Most Popular Rising 1 Syllable

Biblical loyalty in one unforgettable syllable

English Hebrew American

Classic Literary Strong Vintage Spiritual

Meaning & Origin

"vision of beauty"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

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.

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

Famous People Named Ruth

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Politician

1933

US Supreme Court Justice and feminist icon known as the Notorious RBG

Ruth (biblical)

Religious

Moabite woman in the Old Testament, symbol of extraordinary loyalty and devotion across three faiths

Ruth Langmore Fictional

Other

Fictional antihero character in the Netflix series Ozark, widely regarded as the show's breakout character

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

Ruthie #885 Ruthann #4594

Common Nicknames

Ruthie

Pairs Well With

Ruth Elise Ruth Marie Ruth Eleanor Ruth Anne Ruth Catherine Ruth Abigail Ruth Pearl

Sibling Names

Naomi Esther Miriam Samuel Elijah Hannah Boaz

Also a Boy Name

Ruth is also used as a boy name, ranked #32556.

View Ruth as a boy name →

Similar Names

Rosa Rhoda Betsy Joan Fern Junie Wes Rosemary

Playground Safety

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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.

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.