"praised, he will be praised"
Jude
Pronunciation: [ j-OOD ]
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A timeless one-syllable name with Beatles cool
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"from Judah (the tribe)"
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Start comparing →Things to Know About This Name
- Can be confused with Judas Iscariot, though the names are historically distinct
The Story of Jude
Jude derives from the Hebrew name Yehudah (Judah), meaning 'praised' or 'he will be praised.' The name entered Latin as Judas, and the shorter English form Jude emerged specifically to distinguish from the infamous Judas Iscariot. In the New Testament, Jude (Thaddaeus) was one of the twelve apostles and wrote the Epistle of Jude.
The Beatles' 1968 anthem 'Hey Jude' — written by Paul McCartney for John Lennon's son Julian — gave the name enduring cultural cool. Actor Jude Law further boosted it in the early 2000s, and it has climbed steadily ever since as parents seek short, strong, biblical-rooted names.
In Catholic tradition, St. Jude Thaddaeus is the patron saint of lost causes and desperate situations, making the name deeply meaningful to many families. The name also carries literary weight through Thomas Hardy's 1895 novel 'Jude the Obscure.'
Historical Record
Jude first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 51,015 babies have been named Jude in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Jude is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #156 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- 'Hey Jude' by The Beatles (1968) was written by Paul McCartney to comfort John Lennon's son Julian during his parents' divorce
- St. Jude is the patron saint of lost causes — his feast day is October 28
- Jude Law's prominent film career in the early 2000s coincided with a sharp rise in the name's popularity in English-speaking countries
Jude in Other Languages
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Jude
Jude Law
Actor
1972
British actor known for The Talented Mr. Ripley, Cold Mountain, and the Fantastic Beasts series
Jude the Apostle
Religious
One of the twelve apostles of Jesus, patron saint of lost causes, author of the Epistle of Jude
Jude Fawley Fictional
Other
Protagonist of Thomas Hardy's 1895 novel 'Jude the Obscure,' a stonemason with thwarted ambitions
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #156
- Total SSA Count
- 2,284
- Cultural Origins
- English Biblical European
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Jude
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Jude is also used as a girl name, ranked #2149.
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Old English origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Jude
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About the Name Jude
Jude is a boy name with English, Biblical, and European origins . The name means "praised, he will be praised" in Hebrew .
Is Jude a boy or girl name? Jude is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #156 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #2,149. Jude is more commonly used as a boy name.
Jude is currently ranked #156 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Jude has 1 syllable and is pronounced j-OOD, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Jude include Judah, Judson, Judd, Judge . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis