Ruth

[nightdune]

Opinions on Ruth? Any bad associations or nicknames I should be aware of?

Would also like some middle name suggestions. Preferably something a bit more modern.

Thank you in advance.

@BlazingRufus

Don't do it! I'm a Ruth and

1. It sounds ridiculous when shouted across the playground (like someone mimicking a dog bark)
2. Most of the planet can't pronounce it because of the 'th' sound

And some can't pronounce R's either. Names like Rachel with minimise that particular flaw but with such a short monosyllabic name its not saveable and even worse with the combination and it becomes 'wouf'

It’s the girl’s name I dislike the most. It’s just so ugly (am sorry but you did ask.)

I can't believe anyone hasn't yet mentioned RBG.... what an utterly fabulous namesake.

I agree that Ruth needs something lighter in the middle.

Ruth Elinor
Ruth Eliza
Ruth Amelia (couple of great namesake there!)
Ruth Olivia
Ruth Isobel
Ruth Alexandra

It's a lovely, underused name.
Middle names I think might work...

Beatrix
Cecily
Clementine
Delilah
Dorothy
Felicity
Isabel
Jessica
Lydia
Madeleine
Matilda
Violet

It's underused for a reason - because it's shit! 😆.

@finallychangedmyusername

I can't believe anyone hasn't yet mentioned RBG.... what an utterly fabulous namesake.

I agree that Ruth needs something lighter in the middle.

Ruth Elinor
Ruth Eliza
Ruth Amelia (couple of great namesake there!)
Ruth Olivia
Ruth Isobel
Ruth Alexandra

I did! It's climbing in popularity in the states, though it's still relatively uncommon—right around Zara, Annabelle, and Rachel.

Ah sorry @Nancydrawn, I missed that! Great minds!

It’s beautiful, I think it’s such elegant sounding and looking name. Downside for us would be, with mine and DH very working class backgrounds and the area we live in, we do have some relatives, neighbours etc who may sadly pronounce it as ‘Roof’ so you might want to consider that depending on your area and background.

Love it

Beautiful name.

Lovely

Ruth Alexandra
Ruth Emily
Ruth Imogen
Ruth Olivia
Ruth Penelope
Ruth Amelia
Ruth Sophia

@finallychangedmyusername

Ah sorry *@Nancydrawn*, I missed that! Great minds!

Ha! Not at all. I'm just delighted it's going up—I've always loved the name. I also deeply admire Ruth Jones, which I think colours my opinion.

Lovely name.

I work on NICU & we have had 2 baby Ruth's this year (by no means a popular name) but I like it OP x

@BlazingRufus

Don't do it! I'm a Ruth and

1. It sounds ridiculous when shouted across the playground (like someone mimicking a dog bark)
2. Most of the planet can't pronounce it because of the 'th' sound

Yes, this is so true. The French and even more so the Germans pronounce it root. Which is really horrible. It’s a very plain, not very pretty name.

I'm in Australia so I don't think the different accents will be a problem.

Dottyteapot
That's interesting.
If my brother had been a girl, he would have been naomi Ruth.
He is glad he is a boy, as he thinks naomi and Ruth are too religious

I would pick something frilly for a middle name
Ruth arabella
Ruth annalise
Ruth michaela
Ruth armaments

Or something unusual
Ruth tiger
Ruth raine
Ruth River
Ruth London
Ruth Paris
Ruth phoenix

@nightdune

I'm in Australia so I don't think the different accents will be a problem.

Fwiw it sounds awful in an Australian accent too

liveforsummer if you hate your name so much, why haven't you changed it? I know people who did just that and it was fine.

I think it's a really lovely name - meaning compassionate friend.

I've known a few through life and every one of them has been true to their name. I've not been aware of them being particularly religious people though (anymore than everyone who uses Noah or Elijah for eg).

I think it's great for all ages and Ruthie is so sweet on a little one.

I vastly prefer it to the more overtly feminine or little girlie names that are so popular.

Ruth is a nice name. I also knew a Ruth who was lovely.
Biblical name too

@campion

liveforsummer if you hate your name so much, why haven't you changed it? I know people who did just that and it was fine.

Because it's my name, it was given to me. It would be an absolute hassle to change it and after 42 years just weird tbh. Not like it's ever held me back or something I think about on a regular basis but if asked I'll be honest (as was the other Ruth on this thread with some similar reasons). Bizarrely I did just randomly think about it just the other day, when someone I didn't know well used it to address me in writing and it reminded me how rubbish it was which is probably why I'm a bit more vocal than normal. 😆

OP I have a lot of Aussie friends and they all call me Ruthie. I never had that nickname growing up in the UK (I’m in my 40s). So you probably want to be okay with Ruthie as a nickname. Some of the Aussies also call me Rufus.

FWIW I hated my name as a child however by the time I was a teen I appreciated the fact it was fairly unusual. Until I was 27 and went traveling, I’d never met another Ruth, and I lived in several places growing up.

As some previous Ruths have mentioned it can sound a bit like an inarticulate noise and it can be mistaken for Rhys (and even Ruby/Lucy over the phone
).

The only disadvantage I’ve ever felt is that it can be difficult to pronounce in some countries, especially some in Asia that don’t really have the -th sound. Other than that I personally have become fairly fond of my name, I like the fact that it’s recognizable but not commonly used and it has a lovely meaning.

Oh and I have two middle names - one with two syllables and one with one syllable (and surname is two syllables). I’ve found it’s been more annoying to have two middle names than to be called Ruth.

It’s clearly quite polarizing from this thread but I’d say go for it!

I know one. She can be a bit harsh so is nicknamed Ruthless