Ruthy is a diminutive of the Hebrew name Ruth, which means 'friend' or 'companion'. It has gained popularity as an independent given name over time. In the Bible, Ruth is known for her loyalty and kindness towards her mother-in-law Naomi, personifying the essence of friendship that her name signifies. The name Ruthy maintains this association with friendship and companionship while also offering a charming and approachable sound.
Over the course of a century and a half (1913-2023), the name Ruthy experienced significant fluctuations in popularity, with a total of 906 babies named Ruthy being born during this period. The name's peak occurred between 1954 and 1967, with annual births ranging from a low of 6 to a high of 29 in 1958 and 1959. However, after the mid-1960s, the number of babies named Ruthy began to decline steadily, dropping to as low as 5 births per year between 1970 and 2016. More recently, there has been a slight resurgence in popularity, with 8 to 12 births per year from 2018 to 2023. Despite these fluctuations, Ruthy remains a name that has been consistently present among baby names for over a century.