Mumsnet Talk

I really like it. Much nicer than Martha I think.

Funny enough, I'm not keen on Martha and apart from the TH in both I don't see them in the same category.

Martha and Ruth both lovely.
Like WickWack I have only met lovely Ruths.

Also used as a middle name in my family.

LOVE Ruth - means compassion and have only met lovely, kind Ruths!

Also love Martha!

I love it [am biased]. I know several of all ages.
I suggest a soft-sounding, long, classic name as a mn:

Madeleine
Magdalena
Melinda
Isabella or Isobel
Emmeline
Anastasia
Anneliese
Aurelia
Eleanor
Constance
Cecelia

Annabel is lovely.

Have really enjoyed reading all these replies so thank you to everyone who has posted.
I do really love it so I'm putting green it high up my list if I have a girl.
I'm thinking Ruth Annabel or perhaps having two middle names and going for Ruth Matilda Martha.
I'm not sure yet.
AmandaI completely agree about certain popular names. Ruth is timeless, classy and beautiful. I too would most definitely not want my daughters name to be 'sexy'.

I like it. I know a four year old Ruth.

I'd pair it with something long - Ruth Elizabeth, Ruth Margaret, Ruth Cordelia - that type of length.

Personally I think that the comment about it not being 'sexy' is odd. Why would you want a name to be sexy?

Nor do I think it is harsh or dull. Personally (and I do understand that this is a very personal view and I am not attacking any of the posters who have said it isn't their taste) I think that in the UK we are becoming a bit obsessed with a name having to be ultra feminine not to be considered 'ugly' or 'harsh'. All those 'a' names (Isabella, Isla, Ava, Sophia etc) and i.e./y names (Milly, Tilly, Maisie) are becoming a bit of a name hegemony. I just looked and, of the top 20 girls names for 2012, only one (Grace) does not end in some varient of an ee or a sound. I have nothing against those names, but I'm all for a bit of variety and I don't think a name has to be super frilly and girly to be beautiful.

Ruth is gorgeous.

I love the name Ruth, but unfortunately it's my sister's name, so I don't think I'd ever use it for that reason. My sister would think it was after her and it wouldn't be!

It's my name and I love it. I like the fact that it's a 'proper' name but there aren't many of my age group. Wasn't so keen as a child though as would have liked to be called Sarah or Emma like everyone else.

I like it.

One of my loveliest friends is a Ruth, I know Ruths from age 1 to 80! Timeless and fantastic.

Not Granny at all
simple classic, everyone recognises it, but not frequently used

I know Ruths of all ages, but not actually any small children

Love Ruth. Love Martha too. Met a little baby Ruth recently and was struck how sweet the name is, and great for an adult too as you say.

My DD has a best friend called Ruth (10) - there are 6 Ruths at her primary school, so not that uncommon in Gloucestershire...

My mum was Ruth [born 1923!] I wish I had used it for dd
She would have given it to a dd herself but she had two boys
I love both Ruth and Martha.

I really like it but can never use it

I don't like Ruthie - sounds like roofie, a.k.a. rohypnol.

I would associate it with being an old Testament Jewish name, but that might be because I live in a Jewish area.

Love it,classic and sweet

Gorgeous. It's one of my favourite girls' names. I like Martha but I know of several new babies with that name (plus another on the way).

Not 'granny' at all - it is a little dull but pleasant enough.

It makes me think of a calm and sensible person.

I love it
Martha is vile though

I know two mid-20s Ruths. Nice enough name.

I love it and it would have been on my shortlist but DH's family can't pronounce the 'th' sound.

I much prefer it to Martha. Unfortunately the father of the Ruth I know cannot pronounce "th" properly so she gets called Roof at home.