Ruth
Peaked at #3 nationally in 1893, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, Ruth has been recorded >99% of the time for girls and <1% of the time for boys.
Meaning & origin
Ruth is a Hebrew name of debated meaning, often glossed as "friend" or "companion." It's the name of the Old Testament's Book of Ruth, whose declaration "whither thou goest, I will go" remains one of the Bible's most quoted lines of loyalty.
Notable people & culture
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and baseball legend Babe Ruth (born George Herman Ruth) are among the name's most recognizable bearers; Ruth peaked at #3 in 1893, reflecting strong late-19th-century popularity for biblical names.
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Ruth — Girls (United States)
RisingPeak rank
#3
in 1893
Current rank
#172
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Rising
Tracked since 1880, Ruth reached its peak popularity for girls in 1893, ranking #3 nationally with 3,658 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has climbed from #309 (2014) to #172 (2024) — a 44% improvement.
As of 2024, Ruth ranks #172 nationally for girls, with 1,767 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #172 | 1,767 |
| 2023 | #187 | 1,602 |
| 2022 | #179 | 1,666 |
| 2021 | #187 | 1,578 |
| 2020 | #219 | 1,326 |
| 2019 | #231 | 1,351 |
| 2018 | #262 | 1,250 |
| 2017 | #264 | 1,212 |
Ruth — Boys (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#435
in 1897
Last ranked
#14210
in 2008
Years tracked
105
1885–2008
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1885, Ruth reached its peak popularity for boys in 1897, ranking #435 nationally with 20 babies given the name that year.
Ruth hasn't appeared among the national top ranks for boys since 2008, when it stood at #14210.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | #14,210 | 5 |
| 1995 | #8,674 | 6 |
| 1993 | #9,896 | 5 |
| 1991 | #9,346 | 5 |
| 1990 | #6,305 | 8 |
| 1989 | #4,480 | 12 |
| 1988 | #3,672 | 14 |
| 1987 | #4,886 | 9 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — girls' names only.
Common Questions
When was Ruth most popular?
Ruth was most popular in 1893, when it ranked #3 nationally for girls — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Ruth becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently rising; for boys, it's currently falling, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Ruth?
At least 837,080 babies have been recorded with the name Ruth in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like Ruth? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.