Albert Barnes Commentary Ruth 2:1

"And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband`s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech, and his name was Boaz." — Ruth 2:1 (ASV)

A kinsman - More literally “an acquaintance”; this term, used here (and in its feminine form in Ruth 3:2), denotes a person with whom one is intimately acquainted, a near relation. The next kinsman of (Ruth 2:20 and following) גאל gā’al — is a wholly different word.

Boaz - Commonly taken to mean, “strength is in him” (Compare to 1 Kings 7:21).