Rut is the form of Ruth used in several languages including Hebrew, Icelandic, Spanish, and Swedish. The name appears in the Old Testament as the central character of the Book of Ruth, where the heroine is a Moabite woman whose loyalty to her mother-in-law Naomi leads her to Bethlehem. She eventually marries Boaz and becomes an ancestor of King David. Etymology Rut ultimately derives from the Hebrew name רוּת (Ruṯ), which probably comes from the word רְעוּת (reʿuṯ) meaning "female friend". The name has been associated with the archaic English word ruth (meaning "pity, compassion"), though this is not etymologically related. As a Christian name, Ruth saw increased use after the Protestant Reformation, and it gained popularity in America after the birth of Baby Ruth Cleveland (1891–1904), daughter of President Grover Cleveland. Notable Bearers Several notable individuals bear or bore the name Rut. In German-speaking countries, Rut has been used as a feminine given name: examples include Rut Brandt (1920–2006), German writer and wife of Chancellor Willy Brandt; Rut Bryk (1916–1999), Finnish ceramist; and Rut Carballido Lopez, Spanish-born microbiologist. Nordic notable bearers include Swedish opera singer Rut Berglund (1897–1984), Swedish poet and novelist Rut Hillarp (1914–2003), and Icelandic handballer Rut Arnfjörð Jónsdóttir (born 1990). The name also appears as Rutka Laskier (1929–1943), a Jewish Polish diarist murdered in the Holocaust. Rut is also a surname, as with English mariner John Rut (fl. 1512–1528) and Polish athlete Tadeusz Rut (1931–2002). Cultural Significance In Scandinavia and Iceland, Rut has been a relatively common given name, particularly in Sweden and Iceland. The Finnish form is Ruut. In Spanish and Hebrew usage, Rut directly represents the biblical form. The English diminutive Ruthie is also used in some contexts. Meaning: "female friend" or derived from Hebrew word for companionship Origin: Hebrew, via the Bible Type: Feminine given name Usage regions: Hebrew, Icelandic, Spanish, Swedish, German, and other European languages