Ruth is a female given name of Hebrew origin that means "friend" or "companion". In the Bible, Ruth was an Moabite woman who married into an Israelite family and later chose to leave her own people to follow her mother-in-law, Naomi, after her husband's death. This story has been used as a testament to loyalty and devotion throughout history.
The name Ruth first gained popularity in the United States during the late 19th century, but it has since fallen out of fashion and is now considered somewhat old-fashioned. However, there are still many notable individuals named Ruth throughout history, including Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a prominent American jurist and advocate for gender equality.
Overall, while Ruth may not be as commonly used today, its Hebrew origins and biblical significance make it a name with rich historical and cultural ties.
The statistics provided show the annual birth numbers for the name Ruth in the United States from 1880 to 2023.
From 1880 to around 1960, the number of births with the name Ruth remained relatively stable and even increased over time. The peak year for the name Ruth was 1915, with a total of 21,878 births.
However, after the 1960s, there was a significant decrease in the popularity of the name Ruth. Between 1960 and 1970, the number of births with the name Ruth dropped from around 4,500 to less than 2,000. This trend continued throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.
In recent years, there has been a slight resurgence in the popularity of the name Ruth. Since around 2000, the number of births with the name Ruth has consistently been over 900 per year, reaching an all-time high of 1,664 births in 2022.
Overall, while the name Ruth was quite popular during the early to mid-20th century, its popularity has waned since then. However, there is evidence that it may be making a comeback in recent years.