Ruth is a female given name of Hebrew origin. It is derived from the Hebrew name רוּת (Rut), which means "friend" or "companion". In the Bible, Ruth is the name of a Moabite woman who became the wife of Boaz and the great-grandmother of King David. The name Ruth has been popular among Jewish people for centuries and has also gained popularity among Christians. It is a timeless name that has been used throughout history and continues to be a beloved choice for baby girls today.
Ruth rank report (US ranking for newborns 2021)
Nicknames for Ruth
| Ruthie | ROO-thee | A common diminutive of the name Ruth. |
| Roo | ROO | A shortened version of the name Ruth. |
| Ruthanne | ROO-than | A combination of the names Ruth and Anne. |
| Ruthy | ROO-thee | A variation of the name Ruthie. |
| Ruthetta | roo-TET-ah | A diminutive of the name Ruth, with the suffix '-etta' added. |
Famous people named Ruth
| Ruth Bader Ginsburg | Legal scholar and Supreme Court Justice | She was the second woman to serve on the US Supreme Court and was known for her advocacy for gender equality and civil rights. |
| Ruth Wilson | Actress | She is a British actress known for her roles in the TV series 'Luther' and 'The Affair'. |
| Ruth Handler | Inventor and businesswoman | She was the creator of the Barbie doll and co-founder of Mattel, Inc. |
| Ruth Negga | Actress | She is an Ethiopian-Irish actress known for her roles in the films 'Loving' and 'Ad Astra'. |
| Ruth Ozeki | Novelist and filmmaker | She is a Japanese-American author known for her novels 'A Tale for the Time Being' and 'All Over Creation'. |
| Ruth Rendell | Novelist | She was a British author known for her crime and mystery novels, including the Inspector Wexford series. |
| Ruth Reichl | Food writer and editor | She is an American food writer and editor who served as the editor-in-chief of Gourmet magazine. |
| Ruth Bell Graham | Evangelist and author | She was the wife of evangelist Billy Graham and an author in her own right, writing several books on faith and family. |
Fictional character called Ruth from pop culture
| Ruth Wilder | GLOW | The main character of the Netflix series GLOW, Ruth Wilder is an aspiring actress who becomes a professional wrestler in the 1980s. |
| Ruth Langmore | Ozark | A member of the Langmore family in the Netflix series Ozark, Ruth is a tough and street-smart young woman who becomes involved in the criminal activities of the show's main characters. |
| Ruth DeWitt Bukater | Titanic | A minor character in the 1997 film Titanic, Ruth DeWitt Bukater is the mother of the film's main antagonist, Cal Hockley. |
| Ruth Fisher | Six Feet Under | A main character in the HBO series Six Feet Under, Ruth Fisher is the matriarch of the Fisher family and struggles with her own identity and relationships throughout the show. |
| Ruth Jamison | Fried Green Tomatoes | A character in the novel and film Fried Green Tomatoes, Ruth Jamison is a close friend of the main character, Idgie Threadgoode, and is involved in a romantic relationship with her. |
| Ruth Chandler | Stranger Things | A minor character in the Netflix series Stranger Things, Ruth Chandler is a journalist who investigates the strange occurrences in the town of Hawkins, Indiana. |
| Ruth Zardo | Three Pines | A recurring character in the mystery novels of Louise Penny, Ruth Zardo is an eccentric poet who lives in the small town of Three Pines and frequently assists the series' main character, Armand Gamache, in his investigations. |
| Ruthie Camden | 7th Heaven | A main character in the television series 7th Heaven, Ruthie Camden is the youngest daughter of the Camden family and grows up throughout the show's 11 seasons. |
Frequently Asked Questions about Ruth
| What is the origin of the name Ruth? | The name Ruth is of Hebrew origin. |
| What does the name Ruth mean? | The name Ruth means 'compassionate friend' or 'companion'. |
| Is Ruth a popular name? | Ruth is not as popular as it once was, but it is still used as a classic and timeless name. |
| Who are some famous people named Ruth? | Famous people named Ruth include Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Ruth Wilson, and Ruth Negga. |
| What are some variations of the name Ruth? | Variations of the name Ruth include Ruta, Rut, and Ruthe. |
| Is there a famous character named Ruth? | Yes, there is a famous character named Ruth in the Bible. She is known for her loyalty and devotion to her mother-in-law, Naomi. |
| What is the popularity of the name Ruth in the United States? | According to the Social Security Administration, Ruth was the 293rd most popular name for baby girls in the United States in 2020. |