What Does the Name Ruth Mean?
Ruth is a girl's name of Hebrew origin meaning “friend, companion.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Ruth |
|---|---|
| Gender | female |
| Origin | Hebrew |
| Meaning | friend, companion |
| Variants | Rut, Ruta, Rute, Rooth |
| Popularity | Extremely common in the early 20th century; now uncommon but steady, ranking in the US top 300. |
The meaning and origin of Ruth
The name Ruth means “friend, companion” and has Hebrew origins. A biblical Hebrew name borne by the Moabite heroine of the Book of Ruth, traditionally interpreted as 'friend' or 'companion.' The English word 'ruth' (compassion) is unrelated in origin but reinforced the name's gentle associations.
Variants and related names
Ruth is related to several other names you may recognize: Rut, Ruta, Rute, Rooth. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Ruth?
Extremely common in the early 20th century; now uncommon but steady, ranking in the US top 300.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ruth mean?+
The name Ruth means “friend, companion” and is of Hebrew origin.
What is the origin of the name Ruth?+
Ruth originates from Hebrew.
Is Ruth a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Ruth has trended in the US over time.
Ruth by gender
More girl's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press