Ruth
Ruth: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ɹuːθ/
Meaning and origin of Ruth
Root meaning: “compassion”
- A female given name from Hebrew.
Etymology
From Ruth the Moabite, Hebrew רות, of uncertain origin, possibly meaning "companion". Also associated with the English noun ruth (“compassion”) by Puritans.
How popular is Ruth?
Since 1880, 836,122 girls and 2,779 boys in the U.S. have been named Ruth (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #3 in 1893. Its highest rank for boys was #435 in 1897. In 2025 it ranked #173 for girls, with 1,781 babies given the name.
Names similar to Ruth
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Hebrew girl names
Sibling name ideas for Ruth
Sister and brother names that share Ruth's Hebrew roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Ruth FAQ
What does the name Ruth mean?
Ruth traces back to a root meaning "compassion". A female given name from Hebrew. From Ruth the Moabite, Hebrew רות, of uncertain origin, possibly meaning "companion". Also associated with the English noun ruth (“compassion”) by Puritans.
What is the origin of the name Ruth?
Ruth is listed as a name of Hebrew origin.
How popular is the name Ruth?
Since 1880, 836,122 girls and 2,779 boys in the U.S. have been named Ruth (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #3 in 1893. Its highest rank for boys was #435 in 1897. In 2025 it ranked #173 for girls, with 1,781 babies given the name.
Is Ruth a boy or girl name?
Ruth is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 836,122 girls and 2,779 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.