Ruth - Name Meaning and Origin

The girl's name Ruth \r(u)-th\ is pronounced rooth. It is of Hebrew origin, and its meaning is "friend, companion". Biblical: Ruth was the young Moabite widow who said to her Hebrew mother-in-law Naomi, "Where you go, there I shall go also; your people will be my people, your God, my God". Her sentiments appealed to Victorian poets, and the name has been popular since the 17th century. Actresses Ruth Gordon, Ruth Buzzi; author Ruth Rendell.

Ruth has 8 variant forms: Ruthe, Ruthelle, Ruthellen, Ruthetta, Ruthi, Ruthie, Ruthina and Ruthine.

For more information, see also related names Raisa and Ruthann.

Baby names that sound like Ruth are Ruta, Retha, Rita, Reta and Rudi.

Ruth is a very popular female first name and a very popular surname (source: 1990 U.S. Census). Displayed below is the baby name popularity trend for the girl's name Ruth. Click here to compare Ruth with related baby names.