| Ruth | Isabella | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Friend, companion | Pledged to God |
| Origin | Hebrew | Hebrew |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | ROOTH | iz-uh-BEL-uh |
| Syllables | 1 | 4 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 1920 (26,102) | 2010 (22,936) |
| In 2025 | 1,781 | 10,666 |
| Trend | Rising | Declining |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Ruth | Isabella |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 9,746 | 67,643 |
| 2010s | 10,857 | 170,605 |
| 2000s | 9,187 | 149,571 |
| 1990s | 8,730 | 18,762 |
| 1980s | 11,204 | 567 |
| 1970s | 13,431 | 296 |
| 1960s | 34,189 | 429 |
| 1950s | 62,538 | 590 |
| 1940s | 85,666 | 774 |
| 1930s | 109,204 | 1,079 |
| 1920s | 218,520 | 2,095 |
| 1910s | 173,675 | 2,046 |
| 1900s | 51,010 | 1,038 |
| 1890s | 32,867 | 903 |
| 1880s | 5,298 | 603 |
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.
Isabella is a Latinate form of Elizabeth, from the Hebrew Elisheva, “God is my oath” — one pledged or devoted to God.
Isabella is more popular than Ruth today: about 10,666 US babies were given the name Isabella in 2025, compared with 1,781 named Ruth.
Ruth means Friend, companion (Hebrew origin), while Isabella means Pledged to God (Hebrew origin).
In US records, Ruth first appears in 1880 and Isabella in 1880, so Ruth has the longer recorded history.