Rising since 2012, #4,758 for girls today.
Popularity of Ruah since 2010
Babies named Ruah per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 70 | 0 |
| 2020s | 110 | 18 |
Meaning & origin
Ruah entered U.S. baby name records in 2010, making it a relatively recent addition to the naming landscape. Its rank of 4,758 in 2025 places it firmly among rare choices, with only about 1 in 57,402 newborns receiving the name that year. The name has been on a rising trajectory since 2012, and it reached its peak popularity in 2025. While Ruah has not yet gained enough usage to appear in any state's top lists, its upward trend suggests growing awareness. The name directly borrows from the Hebrew word for 'spirit', giving it a distinctive spiritual resonance that appeals to parents seeking a meaningful, uncommon name.
Ruah is a direct borrowing of the Hebrew word רוּחַ (ruach), meaning 'wind', 'breath', or 'spirit'. In the Hebrew Bible, ruach appears frequently, notably as the Spirit of God moving over the waters in Genesis. The name entered English usage primarily through religious contexts and has seen modest revival as a given name in the 21st century, first recorded in U.S. data in 2010.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Ruach
Sibling names for Ruah
Names that share Ruah's style, for a brother or sister.
