Names › Girls' names › R › Ruth
Ruth
Meaning: possibly 'friend, companion' · Origin: Hebrew · Gender: usually a girl's name
Origin & history
The loyal heroine of the Book of Ruth; the name is often linked to Hebrew re'ut, 'friendship'.
Famous people named Ruth
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg (US Supreme Court justice)
Nicknames
Ruthie
Variants & related names
Rut, Rutha
Ruth name art
A free preview of a printable “Ruth” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.
Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.
FAQ
What does the name Ruth mean?
Ruth means “possibly 'friend, companion'”. It comes from Hebrew.
Is Ruth a popular name?
Ruth is a classic girls' name that has been used for generations in the English-speaking world. For its current rank, see the US Social Security Administration or UK Office for National Statistics baby-name lists.
What are nicknames for Ruth?
Ruthie.
What are other forms of Ruth?
Rut, Rutha.
Similar names
Seraphina · Talia · Miriam · Danielle · Lilah · Jessica
More: names starting with R · all girls' names
Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.