| Ruth | Hannah | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Friend, companion | grace, favour |
| Origin | Hebrew | hebrew |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | ROOTH | HAN-uh |
| Syllables | 1 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 1920 (26,102) | 2000 (23,087) |
| In 2025 | 1,781 | 3,973 |
| Trend | Rising | Declining |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Ruth | Hannah |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 9,746 | 26,230 |
| 2010s | 10,857 | 64,506 |
| 2000s | 9,187 | 155,784 |
| 1990s | 8,730 | 158,818 |
| 1980s | 11,204 | 32,702 |
| 1970s | 13,431 | 4,544 |
| 1960s | 34,189 | 1,369 |
| 1950s | 62,538 | 1,447 |
| 1940s | 85,666 | 1,777 |
| 1930s | 109,204 | 2,126 |
| 1920s | 218,520 | 3,811 |
| 1910s | 173,675 | 4,465 |
| 1900s | 51,010 | 2,605 |
| 1890s | 32,867 | 3,021 |
| 1880s | 5,298 | 2,480 |
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.
From Hebrew 'Channah' (חַנָּה) meaning grace or favour, from the root chen. The biblical mother of Samuel; the source name behind Anna, Anne, Ann and their many diminutives.
Hannah is more popular than Ruth today: about 3,973 US babies were given the name Hannah in 2025, compared with 1,781 named Ruth.
Ruth means Friend, companion (Hebrew origin), while Hannah means grace, favour (hebrew origin).
In US records, Ruth first appears in 1880 and Hannah in 1880, so Ruth has the longer recorded history.