| Ruth | Elizabeth | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Friend, companion | God is my oath |
| Origin | Hebrew | Hebrew |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | ROOTH | ih-LIZ-uh-beth |
| Syllables | 1 | 4 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 1920 (26,102) | 1990 (20,750) |
| In 2025 | 1,781 | 6,760 |
| Trend | Rising | Declining |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Ruth | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 9,746 | 41,893 |
| 2010s | 10,857 | 94,103 |
| 2000s | 9,187 | 133,568 |
| 1990s | 8,730 | 172,693 |
| 1980s | 11,204 | 198,972 |
| 1970s | 13,431 | 142,845 |
| 1960s | 34,189 | 168,920 |
| 1950s | 62,538 | 165,656 |
| 1940s | 85,666 | 116,551 |
| 1930s | 109,204 | 96,480 |
| 1920s | 218,520 | 139,672 |
| 1910s | 173,675 | 116,811 |
| 1900s | 51,010 | 41,708 |
| 1890s | 32,867 | 33,879 |
| 1880s | 5,298 | 25,006 |
Ruth is a Hebrew name usually given as “companion” or “friend.” The Book of Ruth tells of her devotion to her mother-in-law; she became an ancestor of King David.
Elizabeth is from the Hebrew Elisheva, “God is my oath.” It has been borne by saints and queens across a thousand years.
Elizabeth is more popular than Ruth today: about 6,760 US babies were given the name Elizabeth in 2025, compared with 1,781 named Ruth.
Ruth means Friend, companion (Hebrew origin), while Elizabeth means God is my oath (Hebrew origin).
In US records, Ruth first appears in 1880 and Elizabeth in 1880, so Ruth has the longer recorded history.