Ruth is a Hebrew female name of uncertain origin though the most popular theory is that it is linked to Hebrew re’ut meaning “companion” or “friend”, though other possible theories include: “refreshment”, “appearance, beauty”, and “pasture”. Ruth may also be related to Middle English word ruthe or reuth meaning “pity, compassion”, “sorrow, grief” derived from Old Norse hryggð (sorrow, grief). Ruth is also a Limburgish short form of Rutger, the Dutch form of Roger meaning “famous spear” from Germanic elements hrod (fame) and ger (spear). Ruth is also a surname.
Origin: Hebrew, Old Norse, Germanic
Variants:
- Ruthie (English)
- Rut (Swedish, Spanish, Icelandic, Hebrew)
- Routh (Greek)
- Ruut (Finnish)
- Rūta (Lithuanian)
- Ruta (Polish)
- Rute (Portuguese)
- Ruf (Russian)
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