Ruth

At a Glance

Meaning

Possibly 'companion' (the Hebrew root is uncertain)

Origin

Hebrew

Gender

Girl

Pronunciation

ROOTHListen

Ruth is a Hebrew name, pronounced ROOTH (IPA /ˈruːθ/), with a vintage feel to match its long history. Its exact meaning isn't settled — the Hebrew root is uncertain — but the leading guess among scholars is 'companion.' You may have heard Ruth explained as meaning 'compassion' or 'pity'; that reading actually comes from a coincidentally similar English word used by the Puritans, not from the name's Hebrew root.

Meaning & Origin of Ruth

Meaning: Possibly 'companion' (the Hebrew root is uncertain).

Origin: Hebrew.

A common claim: Ruth is popularly said to mean 'compassion' or 'pity.' Actually: That's a secondary wordplay from Puritan English, based on the coincidentally similar word 'ruth' (pity) — the uncertain Hebrew root more likely means 'companion.'

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce Ruth

Popularity of Ruth

Ruth hit its high point at #3 in 1893, when 3,658 girls were given the name, and has since settled into a far quieter spot at #172 in 2024, with 1,767 babies named Ruth that year.

Names Like Ruth

These names share Ruth’s style, era or origin.

• Anna
• Deborah
• Dinah
• Elizabeth
• Esther
• Eva

FAQ

What does the name Ruth mean?

Possibly ‘companion’ (the Hebrew root is uncertain). (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Ruth?

Ruth is pronounced ROOTH (IPA: /ˈruːθ/).

Is Ruth a popular name right now?

Ruth peaked at #3 in 1893 and is ranked #172 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

Make Ruth Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Ruth, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.