Ruth
Ruth is a girl's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Friend, companion, or vision of beauty.
Origin and history
Ruth is a classic name of Hebrew origin meaning 'friend' or 'companion'. It was exceptionally popular in the early 20th century in the United States and remains a widely respected traditional choice.
Popularity in the United States
836,122 babies in the United States have been named Ruth since 1880. It ranks #22 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #187.
States where it is most popular
- PA (9.4 %)
- NY (9.1 %)
- OH (6.9 %)
- IL (5.4 %)
- MI (4.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 5,298 |
| 1890-1900 | 32,867 |
| 1900-1910 | 51,010 |
| 1910-1920 | 173,675 |
| 1920-1930 | 218,520 |
| 1930-1940 | 109,204 |
| 1940-1950 | 85,666 |
| 1950-1960 | 62,538 |
| 1960-1970 | 34,189 |
| 1970-1980 | 13,431 |
| 1980-1990 | 11,204 |
| 1990-2000 | 8,730 |
| 2000-2010 | 9,187 |
| 2010-2019 | 10,857 |
| 2020-2029 | 9,746 |
Famous people named Ruth
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Supreme Court Justice, Jurist
- Ruth Benedict: Anthropologist, Author
- Ruth Negga: Actress
Nicknames
Ruthie, Rue
Fun facts
- The biblical Ruth is famous for her devotion to her mother-in-law Naomi, uttering the classic line 'where you go I will go'.
- Ruth was among the top 10 most popular baby girl names in the United States from 1890 through 1920.