Ruthellen is a unique and beautiful name of French origin. It is derived from the French word "ruth," which means mercy or compassion. The name Ruthellen is believed to have been coined by Scottish author Sir Walter Scott in his historical novel "The Monastery" published in 1820. In the novel, Ruthellen is a character who demonstrates great kindness and compassion towards others, reflecting the meaning of her name.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals named Ruthellen. One example is American actress Ruthe Avery, who was active during the silent film era in the early 20th century. Despite its French origins, Ruthellen has also gained popularity as a given name in other countries, including England and Australia.
Today, Ruthellen remains a rare but captivating name choice for parents looking to give their daughter a distinctive and meaningful moniker with a rich history behind it. Its unique sound and beautiful meaning make it an attractive option for those seeking something different from more common names. While Ruthellen may not be as well-known as some other names, its French roots and intriguing backstory contribute to its charm and allure.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Ruthellen has had a variable popularity over the years in the United States. The first recorded birth was in 1918 with 7 newborns being named Ruthellen. This number increased to 8 in 1922 before fluctuating between 6 and 10 births per year until 1925.
There was a significant jump in popularity between 1939 and 1940, with the number of Ruthellen births more than doubling from 5 in 1939 to 11 in 1940. This high was maintained for two years, before dropping back down to 7 in 1943.
After a brief resurgence between 1946 and 1947 with 11 births each year, the popularity of the name Ruthellen declined, hovering around 5 births per year from 1948 to 1950. There was another small peak in 1954 and 1956 with 6 births each year.
In the 1960s, the name Ruthellen had a slight revival, with 7 births in both 1962 and 1964, and 6 births in 1963 and 1965. Overall, from 1918 to 1965, there were a total of 171 babies named Ruthellen born in the United States.
These statistics demonstrate that while Ruthellen was not one of the most popular names throughout these years, it did maintain a consistent presence among baby girls' names. It is interesting to note the fluctuations in popularity over time, which could be attributed to various social and cultural influences.