The story behind Ruth
From Ruth the Moabite, Hebrew רות, of uncertain origin, possibly meaning "companion". Also associated with the English noun ruth (“compassion”) by Puritans.
Other language forms and explanations (1)
Dutch entry
From Middle Dutch ruth, from Latin Ruth, from Koine Greek Ῥούθ (Rhoúth), from Biblical Hebrew רוּת (rut).
Pronunciation
English; dialect unspecified: /ɹuːθ/
Regional pronunciation variants
- Dutch: /rʏt/
Popularity
Ruth ranked #173 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Ruth
Leah
From Hebrew לֵאָה (Le'a).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends H
- same syllable count
- similar length
Noah
From Biblical Hebrew נֹחַ (Nōaḥ). From Biblical Hebrew נֹעָה (Nōʿâ).
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends H
- same syllable count
- similar length
Seth
Borrowed from Ancient Greek Σήθ (Sḗth), from Biblical Hebrew שֵׁת (Šet, literally “chosen one, appointed, placed”).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends H
- same syllable count
- similar length
Nūḥ
From Classical Syriac ܢܘܿܚ (nōḥ), from Biblical Hebrew נֹחַ (nōaẖ). Related to the native root ن و خ (n w ḵ).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends Ḥ
- same syllable count
- similar length
Ram
From Hebrew רָם (ram).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends M
- same syllable count
- similar length
Ran
From Hebrew רָן (ran). Borrowed from Japanese らん/蘭.
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Ruth
Amy
Anglicized form of Old French Amee (modern French Aimée), which was both a nickname and a form of the Latin name Amata (“beloved”).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Ari
Of the first sense, derives directly from Hebrew: אֲרִי (arí, “lion”); compare Yiddish: לייב (leyb, “Leib”), English: Leo, Leon, French: Léo, Léon, Czech: Lev, Polish: Lew,…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends I
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Ary
A male given name from Hebrew, of Jewish usage, variant of Arieh.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Ruth
Abel
English Abel From Middle English Abel, from Old English Ābel, from Latin Abel, from Ancient Greek Ἅβελ (Hábel), from Biblical Hebrew הֶבֶל (Héḇel, “Abel”), possibly from the…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- compatible short style
- shared origin connection
Adam
Middle English Adam English Adam From Middle English Adam, from Old English Adam, from Latin Adam, Adamus, from Ancient Greek Ἀδάμ (Adám), Ἄδαμος (Ádamos), from Biblical Hebrew…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends M
- compatible short style
- shared origin connection
Ahab
From Middle English Achab, from Latin Achab, from Ancient Greek Ἀχαάβ (Akhaáb), from Hebrew אַחְאָב (ʼAḥʼāḇ, “uncle”); from אַח (ʼaḥ, “brother”) + אָב (ʼāḇ, “father”). Attested…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends B
- compatible short style
- shared origin connection