MallowbyNames

Ruhama

רֻחָמָהroo-HAH-mah · Mercy, compassion; to have compassion.

Peak popularity
2016
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Declining since 2016

Declining since 2016.

Popularity of Ruhama since 1919

Babies named Ruhama per year in U.S. Social Security records.

51015192019602000Most births 2016Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1910s5
1920s0
1930s0
1940s0
1950s0
1960s0
1970s0
1980s0
1990s0
2000s16
2010s88
2020s35

Meaning & origin

Ruhama is a biblical Hebrew name that has maintained a quiet presence in the United States since first appearing in records in 1919. Although it has never reached the top 1,000, the name saw its highest usage in 2016, reflecting a slight uptick in interest. Since then, its trajectory has been falling. With its deep meaning of mercy and compassion, Ruhama appeals to families drawn to rare, spiritual names. It has no recorded presence in any top state, indicating its use is scattered across the country. For parents seeking a distinctive name with ancient roots, Ruhama offers a subtle connection to biblical tradition without being widely used.

Ruhama is a Hebrew name meaning 'mercy' or 'compassion,' derived from the root רחם (racham), 'to have compassion.' It appears in the Bible as a symbolic name given to a daughter of the prophet Hosea (Hosea 2:1), signifying God's restored mercy toward Israel. Despite its ancient roots, Ruhama has seen modern use, particularly in English-speaking countries, and its usage has been very rare.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Ruhi, Romy, Mama

Variants: Ruhamah, Ruchama, Ruchamah

Sibling names for Ruhama

Names that share Ruhama's style, for a brother or sister.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

R is for Ruhama, our favorite little girl.

R is for Ruhama…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Ruhama's letter becomes Ruhama's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

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Questions parents ask

What does the name Ruhama mean?
Ruhama means 'mercy' or 'compassion' in Hebrew, derived from the root meaning 'to have compassion.'
How popular is the name Ruhama?
Ruhama is extremely rare. According to U.S. Social Security data, it has never ranked in the top 1,000 names. Its peak usage was in 2016, but it still did not enter the top 1,000.
Is Ruhama a boy or girl name?
Ruhama is traditionally a girl's name, and modern usage confirms it as feminine.