When was Ruth most popular?

The name Ruth reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.

What are the origins of the name Ruth Woods?

The name Ruth Woods combines two different traditions: the first name Ruth has Hebrew roots, while the surname Woods originates from Irish.

Ruth Woods — 871K & 177K bearers

Ruth Woods is a name that combines Hebrew origins. The first name Ruth is a feminine given name of Hebrew origin. Ruth (Hebrew: רות rut, IPA: [ʁut]) is a common female given name, noted from Ruth, the eponymous heroine of the Book of Ruth. The name of the Biblical figure Ruth is generally equated with the Hebraic רְעוּת (re'ut), meaning companion. This interpretation aligns with the actions of Ruth in the Biblical account, in which she chooses to remain with her mother-in-law Naomi after being widowed. Ruth first occurs as a given name in Europe at the time of the Protestant Reformation, prior to which the occurrence of Biblical names—unless borne by saints—was unusual among non-Jews. The surname Woods: Woods is a common surname of English, Scottish and Irish origin. People with this surname include: Aaron Woods (born 1991), Australian rugby league footballer Aaron Woods (politician) (1950–2025), American politician Aaron Woods (gridiron football) (born 1986), American and Canadian football player Abraham Woods, American civil rights leader Adam Woods (born 2001), Swedish singer Al Woods (American football) (born 1987), American football player Albert Woods (1816–1904), English officer of arms at the College of Arms in London Albert Woods (footballer), English footballer Albert H. Ruth is a well-known first name, carried by approximately 871K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Ruth reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Ruth

Meaning: compassionate friend

Hebrew

Ruth (Hebrew: רות rut, IPA: [ʁut]) is a common female given name, noted from Ruth, the eponymous heroine of the Book of Ruth. The name of the Biblical figure Ruth is generally equated with the Hebraic רְעוּת (re'ut), meaning companion. This interpretation aligns with the actions of Ruth in the Biblical account, in which she chooses to remain with her mother-in-law Naomi after being widowed. Ruth first occurs as a given name in Europe at the time of the Protestant Reformation, prior to which the occurrence of Biblical names—unless borne by saints—was unusual among non-Jews.

Surname: Woods

Irish

Woods is a common surname of English, Scottish and Irish origin. People with this surname include: Aaron Woods (born 1991), Australian rugby league footballer Aaron Woods (politician) (1950–2025), American politician Aaron Woods (gridiron football) (born 1986), American and Canadian football player Abraham Woods, American civil rights leader Adam Woods (born 2001), Swedish singer Al Woods (American football) (born 1987), American football player Albert Woods (1816–1904), English officer of arms at the College of Arms in London Albert Woods (footballer), English footballer Albert H.

Geographic Distribution

The first name Ruth is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 51%

United Kingdom 27%

Australia 12%

Canada 9%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Ruth by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s

1910s

1920s

1930s

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Notable People Named Ruth Woods

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Ruth Woods:

8

Expression Number

Ambition and material success. Represents power, business acumen and the drive to achieve significant goals.

6

Soul Urge Number

Nurturing and responsibility. Associated with care, family values and a strong sense of duty towards loved ones.

11

Personality Number

Intuition and inspiration (Master Number 11). Amplifies spiritual awareness, creative vision and sensitivity.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Ruth?: The first name Ruth originates from Hebrew. Ruth (Hebrew: רות rut, IPA: [ʁut]) is a common female given name, noted from Ruth, the eponymous heroine of the Book of Ruth. The name of the Biblical figure Ruth is generally equated with the Hebraic רְעוּת (re'ut), meaning companion. This interpretation aligns with the actions of Ruth in the Biblical account, in which she chooses to remain with her mother-in-law Naomi after being widowed. Ruth first occurs as a given name in Europe at the time of the Protestant Reformation, prior to which the occurrence of Biblical names—unless borne by saints—was unusual among non-Jews.
When was Ruth most popular?: The name Ruth reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Woods?: The surname Woods originates from Irish. Woods is a common surname of English, Scottish and Irish origin. People with this surname include: Aaron Woods (born 1991), Australian rugby league footballer Aaron Woods (politician) (1950–2025), American politician Aaron Woods (gridiron football) (born 1986), American and Canadian football player Abraham Woods, American civil rights leader Adam Woods (born 2001), Swedish singer Al Woods (American football) (born 1987), American football player Albert Woods (1816–1904), English officer of arms at the College of Arms in London Albert Woods (footballer), English footballer Albert H.
What are the origins of the name Ruth Woods?: The name Ruth Woods combines two different traditions: the first name Ruth has Hebrew roots, while the surname Woods originates from Irish.