Ruth Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Ruth is predominantly used for girls. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Ruth?
Ruth is spelled R-U-T-H. The name has 4 letters.
Ruth at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for girls
- Meaning
- Ruth means “friend” or “companion” in Hebrew.
- Origin
- Ruth is a name of Hebrew origin commonly associated with the Hebrew Bible.
- Pronunciation
- rooth · 1 syllable
Ruth Popularity in 2025
Rank#173
Recorded Births1,781
- Girls usage fell 2 places to #173 and recorded 6 fewer births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Ruth Mean?
Ruth means “friend” or “companion” in Hebrew.
Origin: Ruth is a name of Hebrew origin commonly associated with the Hebrew Bible.
How Do You Pronounce Ruth?
Pronunciationrooth
Syllables1
What Is the History of the Name Ruth?
- History
- The name Ruth is known from the biblical Book of Ruth, where the eponymous character exemplifies loyalty and kindness. It has been used as a given name in cultures influenced by Judeo-Christian traditions.
Ruth Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2003 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | 1,781 | #173 |
| 2024 | Girls | 1,787 | #171 |
| 2023 | Girls | 1,604 | #187 |
| 2022 | Girls | 1,668 | #179 |
| 2021 | Girls | 1,579 | #187 |
| 2020 | Girls | 1,327 | #219 |
| 2019 | Girls | 1,351 | #231 |
| 2018 | Girls | 1,251 | #261 |
| 2017 | Girls | 1,213 | #264 |
| 2016 | Girls | 1,103 | #295 |
| 2015 | Girls | 1,110 | #291 |
| 2014 | Girls | 1,064 | #305 |
| 2013 | Girls | 993 | #327 |
| 2012 | Girls | 931 | #338 |
| 2011 | Girls | 907 | #355 |
| 2010 | Girls | 934 | #345 |
| 2009 | Girls | 916 | #354 |
| 2008 | Girls | 929 | #355 |
| 2008 | Boys | 5 | #12,553 |
| 2007 | Girls | 964 | #344 |
| 2006 | Girls | 892 | #363 |
| 2005 | Girls | 908 | #347 |
| 2004 | Girls | 915 | #349 |
| 2003 | Girls | 897 | #344 |
When Was Ruth Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1920 · Girls
26,102 recorded births
National rank #5
1921 · Girls
25,783 recorded births
National rank #5
1918 · Girls
25,535 recorded births
National rank #5
1919 · Girls
24,562 recorded births
National rank #5
Where Ruth Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Girls
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| ND | #33 | 18 |
| SD | #51 | 15 |
| ID | #64 | 27 |
| MN | #70 | 67 |
| IN | #89 | 67 |
| UT | #89 | 47 |
| NH | #95 | 12 |
| IA | #96 | 31 |