MallowbyNames

Ruthia

רוּתִיָהroo-THEE-uh · Friend, companion (uncertain; possibly a variant of Ruth).

Peak popularity
1930
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Ruthia since 1915

Babies named Ruthia per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1922, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Ruthia's real moment was 1930.

257192019602000Most births 1922Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1910s15
1920s27
1930s18
1940s31
1950s26
1960s0
1970s5
1980s0
1990s0
2000s0
2010s0
2020s0

Meaning & origin

Ruthia is a rare feminine name that emerged in the early 20th century as an elaborated form of the classic name Ruth. First recorded in 1915, it saw its greatest popularity during the 1930s, with the peak year being 1930. Since then, its use has been minimal but stable, with no recent resurgence. The name reflects a period when parents favored ornate, feminine suffixes like -ia, similar to other names of the era. Today, Ruthia remains a distinctive choice, carrying the gentle meaning of its root while offering a touch of vintage charm.

Ruthia is a feminine name likely derived from Ruth, a Hebrew name meaning 'friend' or 'companion.' The suffix -ia was common in English coinages of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, giving the name a more elaborate, romantic sound. It saw modest use in the United States, peaking in the 1930s, but has since become rare.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Ruth, Ruthie

Variants: Rutha

Sibling names for Ruthia

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

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

R is for Ruthia, our favorite little girl.

R is for Ruthia…”

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

Make Ruthia's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Ruthia mean?
Ruthia is thought to be a variant of Ruth, a Hebrew name meaning 'friend' or 'companion.'
How popular is the name Ruthia?
Ruthia has never ranked in the top 1000 U.S. names. Its peak usage was in the 1930s, and it has remained very rare since.
Is Ruthia a boy or girl name?
Ruthia is almost exclusively used as a girl's name.