Naming your baby girl is one of the most important and precious decisions you’ll make as a parent. It’s a decision that will stay with her for her entire life, and we’re certain you’re here to know all your options!
Ruth is a beautiful name with a rich history. You can pair Ruth with a classic middle name like Elizabeth or Anne, or you can choose a more unique option like Rose, Lila, or Camden. Whichever route you decide to go, we have some ideas that may help you along your naming journey!
We’ve put together a list of great middle name ideas that goes good with the first name Ruth. Below, we also share tips and tools that you can use to find the perfect middle name for your baby girl. Let’s dive in!
Ruth is a Hebrew name meaning “companion” or “friend.” The meaning of Ruth can also be interpreted as “friendship” or “loyalty.” With either definition, the name implies a tenderness and generosity that makes it a beautiful name for a baby girl.
One of Ruth’s first appearances is in the Christian Bible in the Book of Ruth, where Ruth is the name of the main character. Ruth was a Moabite woman who became the great-grandmother of King David of Israel. She is known for her loyalty and devotion to her family, as well as her kindness and compassion. After losing her husband, she traveled a great distance in order to stay with her mother-in-law and care for her.
Ruth is a popular name in the Jewish community. Its meaning, “companion” or “friend,” is especially relevant to the Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam, which means “repairing the world.” Tikkun Olam is the responsibility of every Jew to make the world a better place. Similarly, Ruth is also a popular name among Christians, in reverence to the biblical character who was especially devoted to her family.
In the United States, Ruth has held a steady spot in the top 100 most popular names for girls. It remains a timeless and classic name. Ruth is also a popular name in many cultures, including among English, Hebrew, German, and Scandinavian peoples.
Famous People Named Ruth
-Ruth Bader Ginsburg: American Supreme Court Justice
-Ruth Gordon: American actress, screenwriter, and director
-Ruth Hussey: American actress
-Ruth Prawer Jhabvala: German-born British novelist, short story writer, and two-time Academy Award-winning screenwriter
Choosing the Best Middle Name for Ruth
Family Ties
Many parents choose middle names from family members or friends. A few friends have named their daughter for grandmothers or great aunts who were special to them.
Elizabeth, Madeline, Charlotte, Alice, Geneva, Margaret, Ida Mae, and Anna are all names typical of a few generations ago. And they make for beautiful middle names for Ruth!
You may ask around to see if any member of your family has created a family tree or kept up with names over the years.
Maybe there are no family names that you would like to use, but what about a friend? We don’t often know our friends’ middle names, but they can make great choices for our baby’s names.
Giving your baby girl a middle name shared by a loved one or a close friend can be a precious way to honor your relationship. You could start with a list of names and consider which may be the most meaningful.
Special Places
Have you traveled to another city or country where you were mesmerized? Was there a memorable street name, water fountain, or park? It’s easy to overlook the names of these places when babies are not on our brain!
There’s a park near my house that sports walking trails, an elegant fountain, and doves that land on the pond. It’s called Shelby Park, and I think the name Ruth Shelby could go far!
Maybe there’s a favorite vacation spot, amusement park, or beach villa? Common places that inspire girl names include Madison, Savannah, Aurora, Alexandria, Georgia, and Madison.
Celebrity Names
What do you think about choosing a celebrity name as your little one’s middle name? This could be a great way to pay tribute to someone you admire or have been inspired by.
Maybe the celebrity is a TV star or actor, but it could also be an author, speaker, or philanthropist.
Is there anyone well-known whose name you have thought, “That’s a cool name!” I can’t help but think of Rachel Greene from the hit sitcom FRIENDS, but she’s only one of many!
There’s also Ally from The Notebook and Angel from Redeeming Love.
Some actresses with important roles include Scarlett Johanesson, Angelina Jolie, Kristen Bell, Elizabeth Wagner, Amy Adams, Zoe Kravitz, Natalie Portman, and Tessa Thompson.
Nature Inspired
Nature can provide a lot of inspiration for a beautiful girls’ name!
Consider the obvious ones like Lily, Daisy, Meadow, Magnolia, Sunny, and River, as well as some less known ones like Petal, Season, Sparrow, Tempest, and Vesta. There are all sorts of elements in nature, but there may also be a favorite place or area that has special meaning for you.
Consider the names of places where you like to walk, swim, or run.
What are some memorable outdoor and indoor spots of yours? Do any of them provide inspiration for a great middle name? There are also several beautiful names inspired by outer space, including Astrid, Stella, and Nova.
Favorite Books or Shows
Another option is to choose a name inspired by your favorite book or television show. This could be a great way to introduce your child to some of your favorite things.
Growing up, I loved classic books like Anne of Green Gables and Little Women. Eventually, Gilmore Girls also came on the scene, and the name “Rory” became a fan favorite.
What are some shows or books that have exposed you to some wonderful names? If you want something especially unique, it’s possible that even a last name or gender neutral name could make a great middle name for Ruth.
Syllable Balance
One important element to consider is the number of syllables in each name.
For example, a name with only one-syllable names may feel too short and truncated, but a name with too many syllables could easily feel like a mouthful.
Syllable balance implies that there are various syllables in each name and it helps create an ideal balance.
The better a name flows, the easier it is to remember! I may go with a name like Ruth Marie Williams or Ruth Penelope Williams, but Ruth Jade Williams doesn’t flow as seamlessly.
It all depends on the name, but generally, syllable balance gives names a better flow!
Cadence
Lastly, an important factor to consider is cadence! This can be a great way to add flair to your baby’s name. Cadence refers to the flow or rhythm of a set of sounds or words.
It’s that special thing that makes music and words and names sound pleasing or memorable to our ears.
Cadence can be achieved in many ways, including balancing syllables as we discussed above, but the best test is to practice your daughter’s name aloud until you find a middle name that fits perfectly between Ruth and your last name!
Does it flow and sound nice together? Does it elicit feelings of happiness, peace, and completion? Then you’re on the right track!
Best Middle Names for Ruth
Ruth Abigail
Ruth Adele
Ruth Adeline
Ruth Adriana
Ruth Alena
Ruth Alexandra
Ruth Alice
Ruth Alison
Ruth Alyssa
Ruth Amaya
Ruth Amelia
Ruth Amélie
Ruth Angelina
Ruth Anita (little Ann)
Ruth Annabelle
Ruth Annabeth
Ruth Annaliese
Ruth Anne
Ruth Ansley
Ruth Antonia
Ruth Anya
Ruth Arabelle
Ruth Ariana
Ruth Ashley
Ruth Audrey
Ruth Aurora
Ruth Averie
Ruth Azalea
Ruth Bailey
Ruth Brigitte
Ruth Callista
Ruth Camilla
Ruth Camille
Ruth Carina/Ruth Karina
Ruth Caroline
Ruth Cassandra
Ruth Cecilia
Ruth Celeste
Ruth Celia
Ruth Charlotte
Ruth Cheyenne
Ruth Christina
Ruth Clara
Ruth Clarissa
Ruth Clementine
Ruth Colette
Ruth Colleen
Ruth Constance
Ruth Corinne
Ruth Cosette
Ruth Daisy
Ruth Daniela
Ruth Delilah
Ruth Diana
Ruth Elaine
Ruth Eleanor
Ruth Elena
Ruth Elise
Ruth Eliza
Ruth Elizabeth
Ruth Ellen
Ruth Eloise
Ruth Elora
Ruth Elsie
Ruth Emerson
Ruth Emilia
Ruth Emily
Ruth Emmalyn
Ruth Estelle
Ruth Evangeline
Ruth Eve
Ruth Evelyn
Ruth Everly
Ruth Felicity
Ruth Francesca
Ruth Freya
Ruth Gabrielle
Ruth Genevieve
Ruth Georgia
Ruth Georgina
Ruth Gianna
Ruth Gracelyn
Ruth Haley
Ruth Hannah
Ruth Harmony
Ruth Helena
Ruth Holly
Ruth Imelda
Ruth Imogen
Ruth Irene
Ruth Iris
Ruth Isabella
Ruth Isadora
Ruth Isla
Ruth Isobel
Ruth Ivory
Ruth Ivy
Ruth Jane
Ruth Jasmine
Ruth Johanna
Ruth Josephine
Ruth Juliana
Ruth Juliet
Ruth Juniper
Ruth Kate
Ruth Katrina
Ruth Kiara
Ruth Layla
Ruth Leah
Ruth Lenore
Ruth Leona
Ruth Liliana
Ruth Lillian
Ruth Liora
Ruth Louisa
Ruth Lydia
Ruth Mabel
Ruth Macy
Ruth Madeleine
Ruth Madelyn
Ruth Mae
Ruth Magnolia
Ruth Margaret
Ruth Margot
Ruth Marianna
Ruth Marietta
Ruth Marigold
Ruth Marissa
Ruth Marley
Ruth Matilda
Ruth Melinda
Ruth Mia
Ruth Michaela
Ruth Millie-Rose
Ruth Mirabel
Ruth Miriam
Ruth Molly
Ruth Naomi
Ruth Natalia/Natalie
Ruth Natalie
Ruth Noami
Ruth Noelle
Ruth Odette
Ruth Olive
Ruth Olivia
Ruth Paige
Ruth Paloma
Ruth Patricia
Ruth Penelope
Ruth Phillipa
Ruth Phoebe
Ruth Scarlett
Ruth Selene
Ruth Simone
Ruth Skylar
Ruth Sophia
Ruth Sophie
Ruth Susannah
Ruth Sylvia
Ruth Tamara
Ruth Tara
Ruth Tatum
Ruth Theodora
Ruth Tiana
Ruth Torrie
Ruth Vera
Ruth Veronica
Ruth Victoria
Ruth Violet
Ruth Viviana
Ruth Vivienne
Ruth Willow
Ruth Winifred
Ruth Winter
Ruth Zoe
Final Thoughts
Congratulations on your newest family member! Ruth is a classic and beautiful name, and so many middle names flow nicely with it. From traditional choices like Anne or Elizabeth to more modern ones like Mae and Quinn, there are many lovely options for Ruth’s middle name.
We hope this list has been helpful in giving you some inspiration. Wishing you all the best in choosing the perfect name for your little one!
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Disclaimer
All material provided on this website is for your information only and should not be construed as medical advice or instruction. Please consult with a medical professional regarding any matters related to the health and well-being of yourself or others. The information and opinions expressed here are believed to be accurate based on my best judgement. Readers who fail to consult with a medical professional assume the risk of any injuries.
Just a note – Ruth didn’t first appear in the “Christian Bible”. She’s literally in the Hebrew Ketuvim – the Jewish Bible.