Ruth — Last Name Origin & Meaning

Unknown origin Rank #2,414 in the US 15,012 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#2,414
▼ Down 264 since 2000
People in the US
15,012
5.09 per 100K people
Origin
Unknown
Unknown

Origin & Meaning of the Ruth Surname

What does the last name Ruth mean?

The surname Ruth carries the meaning "Origin and meaning under research." It is derived from the Unknown language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 15,012 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Ruth ranks as the #2,414 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Ruth come from?

The Ruth surname has its roots in Unknown heritage. Names of Unknown origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Ruth name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Ruth trace back to Unknown. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.

Unknown Unknown

Quick Facts

Surname Ruth
Meaning Origin and meaning under research
Origin Unknown
Language Unknown
US Rank (2010) #2,414
US Count (2010) 15,012
Per 100K People 5.09
First Letter R

Ethnic Distribution of Ruth

According to the US Census, the Ruth surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 15,012 Americans with the Ruth last name.

White 82.54%
Black 11.83%
Hispanic 2.73%
Asian/PI 0.84%
Native American 0.49%
Two+ Races 1.57%
Ethnic distribution of the Ruth surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White82.54%
Black11.83%
Hispanic2.73%
Asian/Pacific Islander0.84%
Native American0.49%
Two or More Races1.57%

Popularity of Ruth Over Time

Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Ruth surname has changed in prevalence.

Census 2000
#2,150
15,481 people
Down 264
Census 2010
#2,414
15,012 people

The number of Americans with the Ruth surname decreased by 469 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Ruth Ancestry

Uncover your family's history with a DNA test. Learn where your Ruth ancestors came from and connect with relatives worldwide.

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Similar Surnames to Ruth

These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Ruth.

Other Unknown Surnames

Explore more surnames with Unknown roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same Unknown origin as Ruth.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ruth

The surname Ruth is of Unknown origin. Origin and meaning under research
The surname Ruth is ranked #2,414 in the United States with approximately 15,012 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
Origin and meaning under research. The name has Unknown roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Ruth surname is distributed as: 82.5% White, 11.8% Black. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Ruth ancestry, consider using DNA testing services like Ancestry.com, 23andMe, or MyHeritage. These services can connect you with relatives and reveal your ethnic heritage and migration patterns.

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