Girl Old & New Testament Known
Ruth
drunk; satisfied
רוּת Ῥούθ rut
Ruth (Hebrew: רוּת, rut) means “drunk; satisfied”, by traditional interpretation. It appears in 13 verses across 2 books of the Bible. In 2025 it was given to 1,781 children in the United States, ranking 173. Use is rising. Around 838,901 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears with Boaz in Ruth 4.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Ruth
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 13 across 2 books
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- Both
- Era
- Judges
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 1,781 | Rising |
| All-time total | 838,901 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 26,156 in 1920 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | TX | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Ruth 1:4 |
| Last appears | Matthew 1:5 |
| Cross-references | 177 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Orpah co-occurrence Appears with Orpah in Ruth 1.
- Naomi co-occurrence Appears with Naomi in Ruth 2.
- Boaz co-occurrence Appears with Boaz in Ruth 4.
- Mahlon co-occurrence Appears with Mahlon in Ruth 4.
- Salmon co-occurrence Appears with Salmon in Matthew 1.
- Obed co-occurrence Appears with Obed in Matthew 1.
- Rahab co-occurrence Appears with Rahab in Matthew 1.
The same name elsewhere
| Country | Form | Standing | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Ruth | rank 173 · 1,781 in 2025 | Births in year |
| Spain | RUT | 4,315 bearers · mean age 35.9 | Living residents |
| Portugal | Rute | permitted | IRN approved list |
Two different questions are shown here. Rows marked births in year count children registered during a period; rows marked living residents count people of every age alive at a census. They answer different questions and are never added together.
Origin & meaning
A woman of the Moabites living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.1.4; married to Mahlon (H4248) and Boaz (H1162);
mother of: Obed (H5744)
Also named: Rhouth (Ῥούθ "Ruth" G4503)
§ Ruth = "friendship"
daughter-in-law of Naomi, wife of Boaz, and grandmother of David
Ruth was a Moabite woman who married Boaz and became an ancestor of King David and Jesus Christ.
The biblical story
Ruth was a Moabite woman who married Mahlon, the son of Elimelech and Naomi, who had moved to Moab from Bethlehem due to a famine (Rut.1.1-4). After the deaths of Elimelech, Mahlon, and Chilion (Naomi's other son), Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem (Rut.1.6-7). Ruth, despite Naomi's urging to return to her own people, insisted on staying with her mother-in-law, demonstrating remarkable loyalty and faith in the God of Israel (Rut.1.14-18). In Bethlehem, Ruth worked in the fields, gleaning grain to support herself and Naomi (Rut.2.2-3). She caught the attention of Boaz, a wealthy relative of Elimelech (Rut.2.8-16). Following Naomi's advice, Ruth approached Boaz at the threshing floor, asking him to fulfill the role of a kinsman-redeemer (Rut.3.1-9). Boaz, impressed by Ruth's character and loyalty, agreed to marry her after a closer relative declined to do so (Rut.4.1-12). Ruth and Boaz had a son named Obed, who became the grandfather of King David (Rut.4.13-17). As an ancestor of David, Ruth is also mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus Christ (Mat.1.5). Her story exemplifies God's grace, providential care, and the inclusion of Gentiles in His plan of redemption.
Key verses
Ruth appears in 13 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
-
And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.
Ruth 1:4 -
And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
Ruth 1:14 -
And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
Ruth 1:16 -
So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Beth–lehem in the beginning of barley harvest.
Ruth 1:22 -
And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.
Ruth 2:2
Show all 13 references
Ruth (12)
- Ruth 1:4
- Ruth 1:14
- Ruth 1:16
- Ruth 1:22
- Ruth 2:2
- Ruth 2:8
- Ruth 2:21
- Ruth 2:22
- Ruth 3:9
- Ruth 4:5
- Ruth 4:10
- Ruth 4:13
Matthew (1)
- Matthew 1:5
Name variants & nicknames
- Ruthie — nickname
- Rut — Spanish & Portuguese