Ruth
Ruth is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Friend, companion, or vision of beauty.
Origin and history
Ruth is traditionally a feminine name derived from the Hebrew language meaning 'friend' or 'companion'. Although overwhelmingly recorded for females, it has historically appeared in rare instances as a male given name in U.S. birth records. Today, its male usage in the United States is essentially non-existent.
Popularity in the United States
2,779 babies in the United States have been named Ruth since 1880. It ranks #2455 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- PA (22.9 %)
- NY (22.3 %)
- OH (21.8 %)
- NC (5.5 %)
- IL (5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 10 |
| 1890-1900 | 107 |
| 1900-1910 | 167 |
| 1910-1920 | 447 |
| 1920-1930 | 697 |
| 1930-1940 | 560 |
| 1940-1950 | 300 |
| 1950-1960 | 130 |
| 1960-1970 | 139 |
| 1970-1980 | 85 |
| 1980-1990 | 108 |
| 1990-2000 | 24 |
| 2000-2010 | 5 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Fun facts
- The name stems from the Hebrew word Re'ut, meaning companionship or friendship.
- Although almost exclusively feminine, Ruth was historically registered occasionally for boys in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the U.S.