Details for the forename Ruth

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Ruth (female)


Variants:	Rut (F) Ruthalma (F) Ruthetta (F) Ruthina (F)
Pet Name(s):	Ruthie (F)
Lesser Synonym(s):	Nizjoni (F)

Source(s):	The Oxford Names Companion, OUP "Scottish Forenames" - Donald Whyte, FGH, FSG
Notes:	English from Hebrew, possibly meaning "vision of beauty"; OT Book of Ruth. Ruth became a popular forename with the Puritans, probably with reference to its ordinary English meaning of "compassion". Whyte notes a number of "fanciful" Scottish variants, including Ruthalma, Ruthetta and Ruthina. The variant Rut [q.v.] is the Gaelic version but is also the form used in many European cultures.