Girl Hebrew 1 syllable

Ruth

ROOTH /ruːθ/

"The faithful companion" — a biblical name of profound loyalty, steadfast love, and quiet heroism

Ruth is one of the most powerful names in the Hebrew Bible, borne by the Moabite woman whose declaration of loyalty to her mother-in-law Naomi—'where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay'—has become one of literature's most celebrated expressions of devoted love. The name likely derives from the Hebrew root meaning 'companion' or 'friend,' and it has carried that meaning perfectly through millennia of use. After a long period of being considered old-fashioned, Ruth is enjoying a significant revival as parents rediscover its profound simplicity.

Quick Facts

Letters4

SyllablesRuth

GenderGirl

OriginHebrew

Root WordRut

MeaningCompanion, friend, vision of beauty

PopularityPopular

Peak Year1920

Trend ↑ Rising

Nicknames Ruthie

About the Name Ruth

Ruth most likely means 'companion' or 'friend' in Hebrew, from the root re'ut (companionship, friendship). Some scholars also connect it to a root meaning 'vision of beauty' or 'refreshing.' In practice, the name is most powerfully defined by its biblical bearer—Ruth's declaration to Naomi has made the name synonymous with devoted, unconditional loyalty.

Yes, Ruth is one of the most significant names in the Hebrew Bible. She is the Moabite protagonist of the entire Book of Ruth, which is one of only two books in the Bible named after women. Her declaration 'where you go I will go' is one of the most quoted passages in scripture and has been used in wedding ceremonies and expressions of devotion across cultures for millennia.

Ruths are typically described as loyal, grounded, and quietly strong. The name carries deep associations with steadfast devotion and practical wisdom—someone who shows love through action rather than words, who stays when others leave, and who can be relied on absolutely. People named Ruth tend to be honest, warm, and emotionally resilient.

Ruth was one of America's most popular names in the early twentieth century, ranking in the top 5 for decades. It fell from fashion mid-century but has been steadily reviving since the 2010s. It currently sits in the top 300 in the US and is rising in the UK as well—particularly fashionable among parents who appreciate its directness and depth.

Ruth's single, weighty syllable pairs beautifully with longer, flowing middle names. Great combinations include Ruth Elise, Ruth Celeste, Ruth Josephine, Ruth Naomi, and Ruth Miriam. For a simpler approach, Ruth Anne, Ruth Marie, or Ruth Grace are all warmly traditional.

Ruth is an ancient Hebrew name, possibly derived from the root re'ut meaning companionship or friendship. The name appears in the Hebrew Bible in the Book of Ruth, set during the time of the Judges (roughly 1200 BC). Ruth was a Moabite woman who chose to remain with her Israelite mother-in-law Naomi after the death of their husbands, uttering her famous pledge of loyalty. The Book of Ruth is considered one of the most beautiful pieces of writing in the Hebrew Bible.

Personality of Ruth

Perceived character traits commonly associated with people named Ruth

Creativity 72%

Elegance 78%

Independence 82%

Intelligence 86%

Strength 88%

Warmth 92%

Famous People Named Ruth

Ruth (Book of Ruth)

The Moabite heroine of the Book of Ruth, model of loyalty and devotion

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Iconic US Supreme Court Justice known as the Notorious RBG

Babe Ruth

Baseball legend, one of the greatest athletes in American history

Ruth Langmore

Fan-favorite character in Netflix's Ozark

Ruth Handler

American businesswoman who invented the Barbie doll

Middle Names for Ruth

Beautiful combinations that flow well with Ruth

Ruth Anne Ruth Marie Ruth Elise Ruth Grace Ruth Miriam Ruth Claire Ruth Naomi Ruth Hope Ruth Joy Ruth Pearl Ruth Wren Ruth Celeste

Names Similar to Ruth

Similar Meaning

Sibling Name Ideas

Eli Samuel Naomi Miriam Esther Hannah

History of Ruth

1200 BC

Ruth the Moabite makes her famous declaration of loyalty to Naomi, as recorded in the Hebrew Bible

1800s

Ruth is widely used across Protestant communities in the English-speaking world

1893

Babe Ruth is born, making the name famous across American sporting culture

1920

Ruth ranks in the US top 5 girl names at its height of popularity

2015

Ruth begins a notable revival in the UK and US as a vintage biblical name

Numerology & Symbolism of Ruth

Destiny Number

Sum of all letters

Soul Urge

Sum of vowels

♍

Zodiac Affinity

Virgo

Lucky Number

Personal power digit

🎨

Lucky Color

Warm Wheat

💎

Lucky Stone

Topaz

🌸

Lucky Flower

Barley Flower

Ruth Around the World

How Ruth is written in different languages and scripts

روث

Arabic

ルース

Japanese

Руфь

Russian

룻

Korean

路得

Chinese

Ρουθ

Greek

रूथ

Hindi

רוּת

Hebrew

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