Ruta

♀ Girl

Pronounced ROO-tah /ˈru.tɑ/Medium

Meaning: In Lithuanian and Latvian, Ruta is the name of rue — a bitter green herb that is Lithuania's unofficial national plant and a symbol of maidenhood in folk song. Ruta is also used as a form of the Hebrew name Ruth, 'friend; companion.'Medium

In 30 seconds: A Baltic herb name: Ruta is Lithuanian for 'rue,' and doubles as a form of Ruth (said 'ROO-tah').

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Origin MediumLithuanian, Hebrew

MeaningIn Lithuanian and Latvian, Ruta is the name of rue — a bitter green herb that is Lithuania's unofficial national plant and a symbol of maidenhood in folk song. Ruta is also used as a form of the Hebrew name Ruth, 'friend; companion.'

U.S. rank (2024)#13165 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1964

Total births (all-time)≈ 322

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Ruta is the Lithuanian and Latvian word for rue, an evergreen herb bound up with Baltic folk custom: rue garlands appear in wedding songs and in poetry as the sign of a young woman. The name is common in Lithuania and Latvia. It is also read as a form of Hebrew Ruth, 'friend; companion,' the loyal Moabite of the biblical Book of Ruth — so a family's route may run either way (said 'ROO-tah').

In the U.S. it is rare, mostly in Baltic and Jewish families. Rare, botanical, and sturdy.

Did you know? In Lithuanian folk song, a garland of rue — ruta — is the emblem of a young woman's maidenhood; the herb has been woven into wedding traditions for centuries.

Overall data confidence 58%

References — Ruta — Lithuanian/Latvian 'rue'; also form of Hebrew Ruth

Variations

RuteRuthRutha

Nicknames

RuRutieTata

Famous Bearers

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If you like Ruta…

Ruth— the Hebrew name Ruta doubles for

Iva— a like short Slavic plant-rooted name

Vida— a similar crisp two-beat European name

Yitta— a similarly popular pick

Esta— shares Ruta's Hebrew roots

Explore names like Ruta

By themehebrew heritage botanical lithuanian

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Ruta mean?

Ruta is Lithuanian and Latvian for 'rue,' a herb; it is also used as a form of the Hebrew Ruth, 'friend.'

How do you pronounce Ruta?

It's said ROO-tah /ˈru.tɑ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Ruta a boy or girl name?

Ruta is a girl's name.

How popular is Ruta?

Ruta is rare in the U.S., but common in Lithuania and Latvia.