The name Rut is of Hebrew origin and means "friend." It is derived from the Hebrew word "re'ut," which also means companionship or fellowship.
In the Bible, Rut is a prominent figure in the book of Ruth. She was a Moabite woman who married an Israelite man named Mahlon. After her husband's death, Rut chose to stay with her mother-in-law Naomi and convert to Judaism, famously declaring "Where you go, I will go; where you live, I will live; your people shall be my people; and your God shall be my God" (Ruth 1:16).
The story of Ruth is one of loyalty, love, and redemption. Despite being a foreigner, Rut was accepted into the Israelite community due to her kindness and devotion to Naomi. She eventually married Boaz, a wealthy Israelite man, and became an ancestor of King David.
Today, Rut remains a popular name among Jewish families but can also be found in other cultures as well. It is often associated with strong women who embody loyalty, love, and courage.
Based on the statistics provided for the name Rut in the United States from 1976 to 2023, we can observe several trends:
* The number of births with the name Rut has varied over time. From 1976 to 1989, the annual number of births ranged between 6 and 14.
* Beginning in 1990, there was a notable increase in the popularity of the name Rut, with more than 20 births recorded annually until 2005.
* The peak year for the name Rut was in 2007, with 33 births recorded that year.
* Since 2006, the number of births with the name Rut has generally declined. However, there have been fluctuations, with increases in certain years such as 2018 and 2021.
* Overall, from 1976 to 2023, a total of 814 babies were named Rut at birth in the United States.
It's interesting to note that while the name Rut has not been consistently popular throughout the years, it has experienced periods of increased usage. Despite its fluctuations, the name Rut remains relatively uncommon compared to more popular choices.