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Ruth

“Possibly 'companion' (Hebrew origin uncertain)” — Hebrew origin

Girl's name · #173 in the US (2025) · Comeback

Ruth has appeared in US records since 1880 — best rank #3 (1893) · 836,122 babies named Ruth all-time · 1 in 900 girls born in 2025.

Around the world: #88 in Sweden (2025).

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 49 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Ruths

• Ruth Bader Ginsburg — American lawyer and jurist (1933–2020)
• Ruth Benedict — American anthropologist and folklorologist (1887-1948)
• Ruth Gordon — American actress and writer (1896–1985)
• Ruth Prawer Jhabvala — German-born British-American author (1927-2013)
• Ruth Handler — American businesswoman

In stories & tradition

• Ruth — human biblical figure
• Ruth Evershed — Spooks
• Ruth Powers — The Simpsons

What Ruths become

Among 3,815 notable people named Ruth:

Medical professionals appear 1.65× more often than among typical names — e.g. Ruth Pfau, German-Pakistani physician and Catholic nun (1929–2017).

Browse more girl names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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