Ruhama is a unique and beautiful name of Hebrew origin. It means "having many heights" or "many elevations," which suggests someone who is elevated, raised up, or even exalted. The name Ruhama is not particularly common, but it is significant in Jewish tradition.
In the Old Testament of the Bible, there is a woman named Rahab, whose name is spelled slightly differently from Ruhama but shares the same root meaning. Rahab was a prostitute who lived in Jericho and hid two Israelite spies sent to scout out the city before its eventual conquest by Joshua. Despite her occupation, Rahab showed kindness and courage by protecting the spies and helping them escape. Her actions were rewarded when she was spared along with her family during the fall of Jericho.
While Ruhama is not as well-known as Rahab, it still carries a powerful and meaningful history. It is often used as a female given name in Jewish communities, and some may choose this name for its biblical connections or simply because they appreciate its unique sound and meaning.
In terms of popularity, Ruhama is not a common name worldwide. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, no girls were named Ruhama between 2001 and 2020. However, this does not mean that it is entirely absent – it may still be used occasionally as a personal or family name, especially within Jewish communities.
Overall, Ruhama is an uncommon yet significant Hebrew name with a meaningful translation and a notable biblical connection. It offers a unique opportunity for parents seeking to give their child a distinctive and powerful name.
Statistics on the given name Ruhama show a fluctuating pattern of popularity in the United States over the past century.
The name first appeared in the U.S. Social Security Administration's baby name data in 1919, with just five babies being named Ruhama that year. The next appearance was not until 2006, when seven babies were given this name. This suggests a gap of approximately eight decades during which Ruhama was not widely used as a given name.
After re-emerging in the early 2000s, Ruhama's popularity began to grow steadily. Between 2009 and 2013, the number of babies named Ruhama remained stable, with nine births each year from 2009 to 2011, followed by eight births in both 2012 and 2013.
Interestingly, there was a significant spike in popularity in 2015, with 13 babies being named Ruhama that year. This number continued to increase over the next two years, reaching a peak of 15 births in 2016. However, this high point was not sustained, and the number of newborns named Ruhama began to decline once again.
From 2017 onwards, the popularity of the name Ruhama has shown signs of stabilization. Between 2017 and 2023, the number of births has ranged from seven to nine each year, with no significant fluctuations or trends observed during this period.
In total, over the course of 45 years (from 2006 to 2023), there have been a combined 137 babies named Ruhama in the United States. While this number is relatively small compared to more popular names, it reflects a consistent and steady presence of the name Ruhama among U.S. newborns during this period.
Overall, these statistics illustrate the unique journey of the name Ruhama in the United States over time, demonstrating both periods of relative obscurity and moments of increased popularity. Despite its fluctuations, Ruhama has maintained a consistent presence as a given name among American parents for nearly two decades.