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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Ruth

59 replies

Partyof2 · 23/04/2022 06:35

I seem to be stuck on the name Ruth. I think it’s due a comeback and love the nickname Ru. Baby girl due soon!
What are peoples thoughts?

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IStandWithMaya · 23/04/2022 22:15

I like it, provided you live in an area where people do not pronounce their th as f.

DramaAlpaca · 23/04/2022 21:32

I'm normally a big fan of underused classics, but I'm not fond of Ruth.

Firebird83 · 23/04/2022 21:29

It’s an underused classic. Go for it!

user3199 · 23/04/2022 15:23

AmandaMirandaPanda · 23/04/2022 11:03

... roof and Ruth, Paul and pool are pronounced completely differently...

Objectively true, yes - but unfortunately Ruth IS often pronounced "roof", at least in Scotland.

I know three Ruths in Scotland, have never ever heard them called Roof!!

If you love it OP go for it. I can see it becoming popular again (all the Ruths I know are in their late 30s/early 40s). Ruby is nice enough but feels a bit dated to me already.

MurderAtTheBeautyPageant · 23/04/2022 14:52

Hate it. One of my favourite people is called Ruth but I still dislike her name (although would never tell her this obv). She was almost called Susannah instead which she says she'd have much preferred.

Twizbe · 23/04/2022 12:21

I like it. I know a baby Ruth and a grown up one. Works for any age

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 23/04/2022 12:19

Lovely name, which everybody knows how to spell and pronounce. Great associations. Winner all round!

SpaghettiNotCourgetti · 23/04/2022 12:11

LOVE. IT.

I'd use it for this baby but my husband hates it and says it sounds like retching Hmm

FayCarew · 23/04/2022 12:05

Classic and not overused. Can be Ruthie as a nn
I like it

alsonotmyname · 23/04/2022 11:48

It's a lovely classic name op

SalsaLove · 23/04/2022 11:47

I find it awkward to say. If you want a classic, traditional name what about Mary?

Pyri · 23/04/2022 11:32

“I’m sorry, are we having an 89 year old?”

jewishmum · 23/04/2022 11:30

It's a wonderful, traditional name. If you feel stuck on it, take that as a sign it is the right decision.

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 23/04/2022 11:06

Always liked the name, and all the Ruths I've known have been lovely.
Classic and easy to spell.
Go for it.

AmandaMirandaPanda · 23/04/2022 11:03

... roof and Ruth, Paul and pool are pronounced completely differently...

Objectively true, yes - but unfortunately Ruth IS often pronounced "roof", at least in Scotland.

midsomermurderess · 23/04/2022 10:59

YellowAndGreenToBeSeen · 23/04/2022 09:23

Um… roof and Ruth, Paul and pool are pronounced completely differently (I’ll give you Mark).

Show quote history

I’m glad you explained that. I had no idea what she was going in about.
Anyway, I rather like Ruth. It has a solidity about it (yes, maybe that;s not very tempting) and is a refreshing change from the rather frilly names so often used now.

NoodletheSchnoodle · 23/04/2022 10:42

I really like it and would have been a contender for me except I have a horrible aunt called Ruth and the name is tainted because of her in my family Grin
I like Beth as a similar alternative which is very underused but pretty IMO

BlazingRufus · 23/04/2022 10:40

Not again... No! I'm a Ruth (clue in username) and it just doesn't work in real life. Imagine someone shouting it across the playground - it sounds like a dog bark. Wouf!
Don't do it.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 23/04/2022 10:32

I like it! Plus all the Ruth's I've known are lovely.

toastofthetown · 23/04/2022 10:24

Ruth is fine as a name. It doesn’t excite me, but it’s a good solid name with no obvious problems.

stimpyyouidiot · 23/04/2022 09:50

I know a wonderful Ruth, and we call her Ruru

Pegasushaswings · 23/04/2022 09:47

I don’t like to knock someone’s name choice but I really really don’t like it, it’s quite hard to say nicely depending on your accent and it’s so plain! If you like Ru as a NN can’t you go with Ruby or something similar?

Dobirdseversleep · 23/04/2022 09:45

It’s funny that people seem to think it’s a cold name - it literally means compassion (the opposite of ruthless). I think it’s a lovely name (although I did have a flat mate in halls called Ruth who was a stuck up cow).

numberthirtytwowindsorgardens · 23/04/2022 09:43

I love it. It was on my list, but DH vetoed it!

If it feels like 'the one' for you, use it! (I didn't use my 'the one', and do regret it a bit!)

Sockpile · 23/04/2022 09:42

I find it such a cold name, really don’t like it.

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