Ruth
Meaning: Its source is Rut, a Hebrew name meaning "Beloved."
Languages: This girl's name is used in Hebrew, German, Dutch, English, Italian, French and Polish.
Alternative Spellings: Ruthe
Variant Forms: Rutha
Source Forms: Rut
Popularity: The name Ruth ranked 331st in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of 2000-2003 Social Security Administration statistics and 19th in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.
This name is highly rated in the 1990 U.S. Census popularity survey of all ages, but after 1960 does not appear in the state data listing the most popular baby names.
Narrative: Some authorities believe this name means ''companionship,'' and others prefer the meaning ''refresh with water.''
The Ruth of the Jewish scriptures is a character of rare, unmixed virtue. She shows devotion to her mother-in-law Naomi even after her husband's death, and follows her to the land of Israel, though she herself is not a Jew.
There she is admired by Boaz, who takes her for his wife. She gives birth to a son, Obed. From her grandson
Leadership
- Sister Ruth Dowd
American educator. Founder of the Harlem Preparatory School.
- 1972 National Council of Women''s Women of Conscience award winner for encouraging black youth to continue their education (see list of Women of Conscience Award winners)
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg
American jurist.
- U.S. Supreme Court justice, 1993- (see list of U.S. Supreme Court Justices)
- Ruth Hanna McCormick (born 1880, died 1944)
American politician.
- Representative, R-Illinois, 1929-31 (see list of Women in the House of Representatives)
- Ruth Bryan Owen (born 1885, died 1954)
American politician.
- Representative, D-Florida, 1929-33 (see list of Women in the House of Representatives)
- Ruth Perry
- Chairman of Liberia, 1996- (see list of Miscellaneous Political Leaders)
- Ruth Baker Pratt (born 1877, died 1965)
American politician.
- Representative, R-New York, 1929-33 (see list of Women in the House of Representatives)
- Ruth Thompson (born 1887, died 1970)
American politician.
- Representative, R-Michigan, 1951-57 (see list of Women in the House of Representatives)
Miscellaneous
- Ruth Colvin (born 1916)
Founder of the Literacy Volunteers of America.
- Member of National Women''s Hall of Fame (see list of National Women's Hall of Fame Members)
- Ruth Malcolmson
- 1924 Miss America, representing Pennsylvania (see list of Miss America Winners)
- Ruth Palmer
- 1911 Rose Queen (see list of Tournament of Roses, Rose Bowl Queens)
- Ruth
Moabite grandmother of King David. Known for her devotion to her mother-in-law, Naomi.
- Her story is told in the book of Ruth (see list of Biblical Names from the Old Testament)
- Ruth Welting
- 1976 Mademoiselle Award winner (see list of Mademoiselle Award Winners)
- Ruth White
- 1970 Mademoiselle Award winner (see list of Mademoiselle Award Winners)
Science and Philosophy
- Ruth Benedict (born 1887, died 1948)
American sociologist and anthropologist.
- Wrote Patterns of Culture (see list of Miscellaneous Social Scientists)
- Ruth R. Benerito
American chemist.
- 1970 winner of the American Chemical Society''s Garvan Medal (see list of Chemists)
- Ruth R. Nichols
American pilot who set a transcontinental speed record in 1930.
- Member of the National Aviation Hall of Fame (see list of National Aviation Hall of Fame)
- Ruth Patrick
- 1996 National Medal of Science winner (see list of National Medal of Science Winners)
Sports
- Ruth Fuchs
German athlete.
- 1972, 1976 Olympic track and field gold medal winner for Javelin (see list of Olympic Gold Medalists in Miscellaneous Field Events)
Stage and Screen
- Ruth Brown
Actress.
- 1989 Tony Award winner for her performance in Black and Blue (see list of Tony Winners for Best Actress in a Musical)
- Ruth Chatterton (born 1893, died 1961)
American actress and novelist.
- Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame for Motion Picture (see list of Movie Personalities with Stars in the Hollywood Walk of Fame)
- Ruth Etting (born 1897, died 1978)
American singer whose story was told in the 1955 movie Love Me or Leave Me.
- Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame for Motion Picture (see list of Movie Personalities with Stars in the Hollywood Walk of Fame)
- Ruth Gordon (born 1896, died 1985)
American actress and writer.
- 1968 Academy Award winner for her performance in Rosemary''s Baby (see list of Oscar Winners for Best Supporting Actress)
- Ruth Hussey
- Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame for Motion Picture (see list of Movie Personalities with Stars in the Hollywood Walk of Fame)
- Ruth-Anne Miller
Fictional character.
- Portrayed by Peg Phillips (see list of Characters on ''Northern Exposure'')
- Ruth Roland
- Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame for Motion Picture (see list of Movie Personalities with Stars in the Hollywood Walk of Fame)
- Ruth Roman (born 1923, died 1999)
- Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television (see list of Television Personalities with Stars in the Hollywood Walk of Fame)
- Ruth Ashton Taylor
- Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television (see list of Television Personalities with Stars in the Hollywood Walk of Fame)
- Ruth Warrick (born 1916)
American actress.
- Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame for Motion Picture (see list of Movie Personalities with Stars in the Hollywood Walk of Fame)
- Actress on the soap opera ''''All My Children'''' (see list of Performers on ''All My Children'')
The Literary World
- Ruth Bell
Author.
- Author of Changing Bodies, Changing Lives (see list of Authors of some of the most frequently banned books between 1990-99, in the United States)
- Ruth Blum
Fictional character.
- Patricia''s mother in Stephen King''s novel It (see list of Characters in It)
- Ruth Gogan
Fictional character.
- Carrie''s classmate in Stephen King''s novel Carrie (see list of Characters in Carrie)
- Ruth Neary
Fictional character.
- Jessie''s college roommate; later associated with another voice in Stephen King''s novel Gerald''s Game (see list of Characters in Gerald's Game)
- Ruth Sawyer
- 1937 Newbery Medal winner, for Roller Skates (see list of Newbery Medal Winners)
Teasing Nicknames:
- Baby Ruth
- Rudy
- Ruth Bud
- Ruthless
- Toothless Ruthless
- Babe Ruth
- Root
- Telephone Booth
- Roof
- Rufus
