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Ruth

Girl name · 2,602 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Ruth: 2,602 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 125 births in 1977.

The name Ruth carries a gentle strength, rooted in the Hebrew word *re'ut*, meaning "friend" or "companion." Its most famous bearer is the biblical Ruth, whose loyalty to her mother-in-law Naomi is celebrated in the Book of Ruth, making the name a timeless symbol of devotion. In modern times, the American baseball legend Babe Ruth (born George Herman Ruth) brought a different kind of fame to the name, though his was a nickname. The name also connects to the American stateswoman Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a towering figure for justice. While no major place is directly named after a Ruth, the name shares its root with the word "re'ut" itself, a concept of friendship. A notable variant is the Scottish form *Ruthie*, often used as a familiar diminutive.