Meaning & History
Rutt is the Estonian form of Ruth, a feminine given name derived from the Hebrew name Ruṯ, possibly from the word reʿuṯ meaning "female friend". In the Old Testament, Ruth is the central figure of the Book of Ruth, a Moabite woman who loyally accompanies her mother-in-law Naomi to Bethlehem after her husband's death, later marrying Boaz and becoming an ancestor of King David (Ruth 4:13–17).
The name Rutt is commonly found in Estonia, where it has been adopted as a cognate of Ruth. Its usage reflects the spread of biblical names influenced by the Protestant Reformation in Northern Europe. Rutt's name day is celebrated on 4 January in Estonia, following the general practice of assigning name days for common given names.
Notable bearers of the given name Rutt include Estonian literary scholar Rutt Hinrikus (1946–2023) and cross-country skier Rutt Šmigun (born 1954). Additionally, Rutt appears as both a given name and surname internationally, with examples such as English social reformer John Towill Rutt (1760–1841) and Anglican missionary Richard Rutt (1925–2011). The name also appears in popular culture, such as the character Rutt in Disney's Brother Bear.
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Rutt