A 1910s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Ruth since 1880
Babies named Ruth per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5,298 |
| 1890s | 32,867 |
| 1900s | 51,010 |
| 1910s | 173,675 |
| 1920s | 218,520 |
| 1930s | 109,204 |
| 1940s | 85,666 |
| 1950s | 62,538 |
| 1960s | 34,189 |
| 1970s | 13,431 |
| 1980s | 11,204 |
| 1990s | 8,730 |
| 2000s | 9,187 |
| 2010s | 10,857 |
| 2020s | 9,746 |
Meaning & origin
Ruth is a name of quiet strength and loyalty, rooted in one of the most beloved stories of the Bible. In 2025, it holds a rank of 173, making it a familiar but not overused choice, appearing in 1 out of every 902 births. The name peaked far earlier, in 1915, when it was a top 10 favorite, and after a long decline it began a steady comeback in 1997. The 1910s were its standout decade, but today's revival has brought it back into the spotlight across the country, with top concentrations in states like North Dakota, South Dakota, and Idaho. Ruth manages to feel both vintage and contemporary, carrying biblical gravitas without feeling overly solemn. Its simplicity, one syllable, four letters, has a timeless appeal that resonates with parents looking for a name that is both classic and underused.
Ruth is a biblical name of Hebrew origin, derived from the Hebrew word re'ut, meaning 'companion' or 'friend'. It is borne in the Old Testament by the Moabite woman who became the great-grandmother of King David, and her story is recorded in the Book of Ruth. The name was adopted by English Puritans in the 17th century and has remained in steady use ever since, with particular popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Where Ruth is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Ruth” around the world
Where Ruth lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
35
babies in 2024
Ireland
17
babies in 2025
New Zealand
14
babies in 2025
Quebec
5
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ruthie, Rue
Variants: Rut
Sibling names for Ruth
Names that share Ruth's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Naomi, Esther, Miriam, Lydia, Clara, Betty, Debora, Edna, Eunice, Helen, Joni, Marion, Martha, Maryann, Norma, Roberta, Allene, Bethel, Bettye, Carrol, Chana, Christene, Dorris, Dorthy, Ester, Glenna, Golda, Hanah, Hellen, Kathern, Margery, Marybelle, Norah, Orpha, Reba, Salome, Tamar, Beaulah, Buelah, Dallis, Davida, Delila, Dorathy, Dorotha, Dorthey, Eartha, Florene, Hermon, Jeane, Kathyrn, Marah, Marge, Maryan, Marylin, Naoma, Nonie, Onie, Onnie, Phyliss, Suzann, Tomie, Tova, Aliene, Annell, Babara, Betsabe, Betti, Betzy, Ceil, Deberah, Dene, Dinorah, Dorothey, Ellin, Elner, Elnor, Esty, Hellon, Helyn, Huldah, Ilean, Joice, Jone, Judyth, Lorain, Magalene, Margorie, Marjie, Nance, Nancye, Noami, Penina, Phylliss, Raymona, Ruchy, Ruie, Ruther, Sheba, Tsion, Yudith, Ader, Bathsheba, Bethene, Carle, Debarah, Dorothye, Elisheba, Ellon, Jeanet, Jezebel, Judieth, Lafern, Linder, Linn, Mardel, Mare, Merrit, Mirriam, Mozel, Naomia, Normajean, Ramah, Reida, Roann, Rushie, Ruthell, Sheina, Sulamita, Tersa, Thersa, Dama, Francess, Merie, Runell, Barbee, Bettey, Bettymae, Bobetta, Chanah, Charna, Christean, Deborh, Dorethia, Eleaner, Eulla, Ezma, Foye, Geneal, Georgean, Gladie, Glenyce, Judithe, Judye, Kathrene, Laruth, Laurey, Leanor, Lurie, Lynore, Lysbeth, Magdelene, Marg, Mariamawit, Mayre, Merriam, Miria, Murdis, Myldred, Naome, Nary, Orpah, Ranie, Rether, Ritha, Rudine, Searcy, Therma, Vicke, Walta
Brothers: Samuel, David, Joseph, Ezra, Asher, Abel, Asa, Bernard, Bruce, Cecil, Clyde, Dale, Dan, Donald, Edwin, Gilbert, Ira, Irvin, Jean, Joan, Johnnie, Lester, Morris, Noe, Norman, Rex, Rodger, Seth, Vernon, Abner, Acie, Amos, Barton, Carroll, Chet, Claud, Dick, Elihu, Ellsworth, Enos, Fran, Gerson, Hershel, Hoyt, Hyman, Jed, Jere, Job, Kennith, Lemuel, Lenord, Lue, Mahlon, Marland, Misael, Mose, Omer, Raymon, Solomon, Val, Walt, Abiel, Amon, Boaz, Colon, Cord, Deane, Derald, Eben, Efraim, Efrem, Eliazar, Eliud, Esdras, Fidencio, Foy, Hershell, Heyward, Ishmael, Jafet, Kemp, Kennard, Levern, Lew, Loy, Meir, Meyer, Murl, Natan, Neftali, Norwood, Obed, Parnell, Rayburn, Rodman, Ronal, Rueben, Salomon, Sholom, Soloman, Vic, Wayland, Wayman, Yoel, Yonathan, Zacchaeus, Adric, Ascher, Avram, Bernis, Boy, Burlin, Carlon, Creig, Danel, Denson, Dickey, Dickson, Doy, Doyne, Duard, Elimelech, Erby, Ermon, Erven, Esaw, Euel, Ferd, Garald, Gershon, Gleen, Gomer, Harding, Haynes, Herchel, Hobson, Hoke, Hue, Hulon, Hurshel, Isham, Jachin, Joab, Joash, Juda, Judas, Kern, Laban, Lang, Lanier, Lansing, Lawerance, Leanard, Lenn, Lennard, Loyde, Lum, Lysle, Mandel, Marshel, Meade, Mishael, Moe, Morey, Nahom, Namon, Natnael, Neale, Orlo, Orrie, Psalm, Raeford, Real, Richey, Richy, Rodgers, Roney, Shaul, Shem, Standley, Thadius, Tin, Tosh, Troyce, Watt, Welford, Weyman, Wray, Yared, Yonas, Abenezer, Alazar, Angelgabriel, Atwood, Aurther, Barth, Belford, Berman, Borden, Burnard, Carthel, Claudis, Cleston, Clif, Cliford, Craven, Danford, Darald, Dawit, Deloss, Deral, Derril, Derrill, Dorse, Doyl, Duel, Elihue, Elvert, Eward, Fread, Freemon, Hanford, Hersel, Hershall, Hillman, Holger, Hurman, Irvan, Ishmeal, Josph, Kennett, Klyde, Larnce, Larwence, Lealand, Lealon, Leanord, Lecil, Ledford, Leeman, Less, Letcher, Linard, Loel, Loys, Lymon, Manases, Matthan, Oseias, Phares, Purnell, Rahn, Ranny, Rishard, Samule, Shadrach, Shermon, Shlome, Urias, Willey, Wirt, Burel, Colburn, Dorance, Herberth, Isador, Arnol, Baruc, Berle, Brainard, Bunyan, Burman, Byard, Calbert, Capers, Chevis, Chrys, Clanton, Claudy, Dare, Denman, Densel, Denvil, Derward, Dodd, Doil, Dowell, Doye, Elizer, Esaul, Gregroy, Harace, Hilman, Holbert, Jebidiah, Jefte, Jerauld, Joseh, Larance, Lc, Leray, Limuel, Melroy, Mervil, Moris, Pinches, Pratt, Rachard, Raford, Raphel, Rawn, Rawson, Raymound, Reford, Remer, Roberth, Rodert, Rondle, Sadrac, Seaton, Selig, Shemuel, Shloima, Solly, Solmon, Stillman, Thadd, Trice, Wendle, Willys, Zecharia
Names like Ruth
Names whose popularity has moved with Ruth's over the last 50 years.
