Girl Name Opinion

Updated on September 30, 2010
K.R. asks from Fort Collins, CO
34 answers

Hi everyone. We just found out we are having our first little girl! Her first name will be Ruth, after my maternal grandmother. I absolutely love the name, and also the Biblical story of Ruth. I think it is simple, elegant, and honest. We'll call her Ruthie as a little girl. Our boys are both white-blond haired with bright blue eyes, as my husband and I were as children, and I'm sure this little girl will too, and I just think Ruthie suits that image I have in my head for my daughter.

So we are thinking about middle names, and our two choices right now are Virginia and Eileen. My husband's grandmother's name was Virginia Eileen, and my grandmother was Ruth Virginia, so there are lots of commonalities there.

So my question is, what do you prefer?

Ruthie Eileen
Ruthie Virginia

I know these are old fashioned names and may not appeal to some, but I've always preferred nostalgic sounding names. And I love the importance and family ties behind them.

Thanks!

K.

*Edited to add* this will be our last child most likely. We have two boys already :)

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

K.I.

answers from Seattle on

I like Ruthie Eileen.

May I ask if you intend to have more kids? If not, you could always use both names...Ruthie Virginia Eileen sounds very cute!

"Old Fashioned" names are all the rage these days...so chances are she will fit right in when she starts school...and do not worry too much about whether or not the name you have chosen "appeals" to anyone, it only matters that you and hubby love it!

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.C.

answers from Dallas on

I like Ruthie Eileen and as far as being old fashioned that's okay. Old Fashioned is back in. A lot of my friends have children named things like Eloise, Eleanor, and even the very popular Henry and Jack were considered old fashioned a few years ago. Congratulations!!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.M.

answers from Dallas on

Ruth Virginia is very pretty! If she gets to the middle school/high school age where for some reason she does not like Ruth(Ruthie), she can always go by Virginia and be called "Ginny" for short. Or if you go with Eileen, she could use "Lena".
Ruth is a beautiful name but she may not appreciate it until she is older. That's what happened in my case. I disliked my first name growing up and started to go by middle name when I hit 6th grade. I've been going by middle name ever since... ;)

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.P.

answers from Dallas on

I would like to disagree about old-fashioned names being hard on the kids...at least all the time. I love them, personally:).
I like the idea of Ruth Virginia better, I think. Although all three might be really pretty as well and Ruth Eileen would honor both separately.

My name is Madelon Christine and my sisters are Rebecca Ruth and Hannah Ida (my father wanted to name her Ida Claire and fortunately my mother vetoed that one, lol). My girls are Emily Madelon, Abigail Rebekah, and Samantha Jayne (she'll be here in just five days!!!)
People are always complimenting our names and I think it really just depends on the child's personality whether she'll like it or not. Instill in her the sentiment behind her name and the honor it is to be named after these great women in her ancestry.

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.D.

answers from Kansas City on

If you name her Ruthie Virginia, the name would be your grandmother's name, even though his grandmother's name had a Virginia in it to. I would go with Ruthie Eileen so there is no question she is named after BOTH grandmothers! Since you believe in the importance of family ties, this would solidify that.

Or name her all three...there's no rule we have to have only one middle name. ;)

2 moms found this helpful

K.E.

answers from Spokane on

Hi Kimberly,

I just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS! I read your post about the potential disappointment if this baby turned out to be a boy. I totally understood your feelings, as I was also in your situation. I love all of my children so much, but for me, there was just something about carrying and delivering my little girl that I did not experience with my boys. She truly is a princess. I've had so much fun shopping for pink, painting toenails and fingernails, exploring hairstyles, lip gloss, ballet, EVERYTHING GIRLY! It has been a blast! You are going to enjoy your little girl! Have fun with her! :)

K.

P.S. My vote is Virginia. I LOVE that name.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.B.

answers from Redding on

Well, it seems to me you should go with Virginia!
How lucky to have grandmothers with the same name.

You could do Ruth Virginia Eileen and get ALL the grandma names in there.
The names are all so beautiful. I love old fashioned names.
(One of my favorite aunts was Eileen).

My mother in law, bless her heart, wanted us to name our girl her middle name, Dethene. Praise heavens she was thrilled we had a boy instead.

You really can't go wrong with any of your names.
Let us know when your new baby arrives.

Best wishes!

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.M.

answers from Denver on

I too like the classic names (our daughter is Lily Anne). I think Ruth Eileen flows better and is less to say (less syllables in Eileen). Have you thought about something like Ruth Eve or Eva... .kind of takes the E. and the V. and you can honor both? Good luck and enjoy that little girl!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.D.

answers from Dallas on

I think Ruthie Eileen is good. It flows well together. I actually named my daughter older names as well. Her name is Evelyn Grace. These are not family names, but I loved the meaning of Evelyn. It means 'Child longed for'. My husband and I were married 18 yrs before we had her. We married young and it took my husband awhile to want a child. So this was perfect for her name! Congrats on your baby!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.J.

answers from Seattle on

Virginia... because it honors both families in one fell swoop. And it does double duty, because her whole name is both grandmothers' FIRST names.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.S.

answers from Chicago on

I think virginia Ruth sounds better. You can always call her Ruthie

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I vote for Ruth Eileen. Congrats!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.

answers from Dallas on

I vote for Virginia. I'm like you in that I prefer traditional names, especially from our family tree. Just a suggestion - what about naming her Virginia Ruth, but calling her Ruthie. I did something similar with my youngest, and I think it has a nice rhythm. Good luck! =)

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.H.

answers from Dallas on

Ruthie Eileen is my vote! Best wishes and God bless!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.W.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I like Ruthie Virginia.
My grandmother's name is Virginia Ruth. =)

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.T.

answers from Chicago on

I like Ruthie Eileen but I agree with others and you need to see how they sound with your last name. Best of luck.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.K.

answers from Madison on

They are both great names.
...but I slightly prefer Ruthie Eileen over Ruthie Virginia.

Congrats on your pregnancy!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.H.

answers from Dallas on

I vote for Ruth Eileen

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.T.

answers from Dallas on

Ruth Eileen sounds better together. I love traditional names. I have one and my mom's name is Ruth.

1 mom found this helpful

K.B.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Pronounce it out with your last name and then see what the initials spell out as well. I actually like Virginia Ruth and then she goes by Ruth or Ruthie when she is young or even into adulthood because I am in HR and there are a lot of people who have a "preferred" name such as their middle or nickname and it's perfectly acceptable. We even put that name on people's name badges. I had a roommate in college that was from the South and she said it was fairly common for people to go by their middle names unless this was just in her family. She, her Sister and Mother all went by their middle names. With that being said, if it is only the choices from above, I would go w/Ruth Virginia.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.B.

answers from Kansas City on

I've never liked Eileen, but Virginia is pretty. Try yelling them both to see which flows better when the kid is bad. That's how we decided against Nora Rose for Nora Genevieve. Nora Rose just kind of ran together when you yelled it and we didnt like that.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi,

Congrats on your baby girl.....I love the name you picked--Ruthie Eileen-- so pretty!

M

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.M.

answers from Washington DC on

I like Ruth Eileen.
I have very good friend that still goes by Ruthie. She is maybe 5'2", blonde, blue eyed and just a little doll, although she is nearly 40. Don't' tell her I said that though. lol

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.L.

answers from Colorado Springs on

Go with the one that fits best with your last name. They're both beautiful, classic choices, and she will (hopefully) love her name just as much as a beautiful, strong, happy adult as when she is a lively, happy little girl.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.J.

answers from Dallas on

Ruthie Virginia.
So sweet and congrats on your baby girl!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.H.

answers from Dallas on

Virginia is such a strong name, I'd bet she'd ask people to use that instead of Ruth or Ruthie. I too believe middle names should be no longer, and perhaps shorter than, the first name. Ruth Eileen isn't bad but it depends on your last name which I think to flow would be three syllables and sound ok.

I am one of those that believe in giving your child a name they'd be proud of. The child comes first over honoring grandparents in my book. What if your grandparent was named a name you really didn't like?

My 100 year old mother's name is Ruth Elaine with a one syllable last name starting with a C. It was rather common for her time. I just have a hard time with old fashioned names on kids. That's just me.

My son loved his name because he always knew there wouldn't be anyone else in the class with his name. Course, he liked it too. As newish as I thought it was, I found out that in Texas, it was a very old name from before 100 years ago. But in my son's generation, it was newish and well liked. My daughter loved her name because it was common enough not to be ridiculed for it. She was the sensitive one but of course I didn't know that at the time.

Baby name books give you hints on names that flow as to number of syllables and if it ends in a vowel, the next name should be a ____.

So, what do you know. Do what your heart tells you but do put yourself in your baby's place and know she will carry that name for a lifetime.

And one more thing, my parents expected a tow-headed child like the first two. My hair was almost black. My father's hair was almost black BUT as a child, he had been tow-headed blonde.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.J.

answers from Seattle on

When she's older Ruth Eileen doesn't flow as well as Ruth Virginia. But I too like Virginia Ruth! Or using both as middle names. Congrats, little girls are so fun!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.J.

answers from Dallas on

I always think the shorter name belongs in the middle.She can always be called by her middle name.I prefer Eileen. It is my sisters middle name.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

V.T.

answers from Dallas on

I think Ruth Eileen sounds better. Ruth Virginia seems to be a mouthful, and Ruth Eileen seems to flow from the tongue easier.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.A.

answers from Houston on

Go ahead and mark my response in your head....I was named Margaret...not good in the 80's....it was "old".....or, "old-fashioned' as you say....

Be carefull what you name your kid......what YOU think is creative NOW....may cause a LIFETIME of despair....
This is not in any way, shape or form, intended to insult you.
Take it from a 'Margaret".......Amanda or Chelsey or even Suzette, would have been nice.
Dont do to your kid what MY mother did to me...."my kingdom to be named Shannon or Michelle"

P.S. Must be nice to be a Michelle...Love that name, BTW....( my husband veto'd it....we settled on Bethany)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.K.

answers from Phoenix on

Both my daughter and I love Eileen... but it would be neat to name her after your grandmother!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.W.

answers from Boise on

Ruth Virginia.

I like names with meaning too, like from the Bible or from family members.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B..

answers from Dallas on

I like Ruth Eileen. Virginia doesn't flow well (for me) and it seems more like a first name. Everyone in my family (as far back as we can track) has very dark hair, dark eyes, and are tan/tan easily. I'm blond, green eyed, and very pale.
You never know what you'll get :)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.C.

answers from Washington DC on

I think Ruthie Eileen rolls off the tongue a bit easier, and in this way, she has a name from both of her great-grandmas. Although, for some reason, I like the sound of "Ruthie Belle", even though that's not a choice. :)

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions