Ruth
Ruth is a Jewish girl name of Hebrew origin, meaning “Friend, companion (debated)”.
| Meaning | Friend, companion (debated) |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girl |
| Origin | Hebrew |
| Written as | רוּת |
| Pronunciation | ROOTH |
| Tradition | Jewish, Christian |
| Used in | United States, United Kingdom, Israel, Germany |
Meaning and origin of Ruth
Ruth is the heroine of the biblical Book of Ruth, a Moabite woman who stays loyal to her mother-in-law Naomi with the words 'where you go, I will go'. She marries Boaz and becomes the great-grandmother of King David. The meaning is debated; it is often connected with the Hebrew re'ut, 'friendship', though other explanations exist. The English word 'ruth', meaning pity, is unrelated.
Is Ruth a Jewish name?
Ruth is a biblical name with a whole book of the Hebrew Bible named after her; Jews read it at the festival of Shavuot, and for Christians she is an ancestor of Jesus in Matthew's genealogy.
How popular is Ruth?
A classic name across Christian and Jewish communities, now showing a modest revival.
Gifts with the name Ruth
- Ruth name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Ruth baby gifts (Amazon)
- Jewish baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Ruth
Names similar to Ruth
More Jewish girl names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ruth mean?
Ruth means 'Friend, companion (debated)'. It is of Hebrew origin.
Is Ruth a Jewish name?
Ruth is a biblical name with a whole book of the Hebrew Bible named after her; Jews read it at the festival of Shavuot, and for Christians she is an ancestor of Jesus in Matthew's genealogy.
How do you pronounce Ruth?
Ruth is pronounced ROOTH.
Is Ruth a boy or girl name?
Ruth is usually a girl name.