Judah

Pronunciation: [ j-OOD-uh ]

Boy Name #179 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

An Old Testament powerhouse meaning praised

Hebrew Jewish Christian English

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Meaning & Origin

"praised, thankful"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

"one who is celebrated"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Aramaic

Things to Know About This Name

Some parents confuse it with Judas, the biblical betrayer, though Judah was a different honored figure

The Story of Judah

Judah comes from the Hebrew Yehudah meaning praised or one who is thanked. In the Hebrew Bible, Judah was the fourth son of Jacob and Leah, and the ancestor of the most prominent Israelite tribe - the one from which King David and, in Christian tradition, Jesus descended. The name carries centuries of sacred weight.

Judah has surged in the US Top 200 since the 2010s, riding the wave of Old Testament name revivals alongside Ezra, Silas, and Asher. Parents favor it as a biblical alternative to the overused Elijah and Noah, while the casual nickname Jude adds modern appeal.

Judah is the namesake of the ancient Kingdom of Judah and later Judea, the historical homeland of the Jewish people. The word Jew itself derives from Judah. In Christian tradition, it is a name of royal Davidic lineage.

Fun Facts

The name Judah gave rise to words in multiple languages: Judaism, Judea, Jew
Judah ha-Nasi was the 2nd-century rabbi who compiled the Mishnah
Judah P. Benjamin was the first Jewish American to serve in a U.S. Cabinet

Judah in Other Languages

Arabic Yahudha

French Juda

Hebrew Yehudah

Spanish Juda

Portuguese Juda

Famous People Named Judah

Judah Smith

Religious

1980

American megachurch pastor and author

Judah P. Benjamin

Politician

1811

First Jewish American U.S. Senator and Confederate Cabinet member

Judah Ben-Hur Fictional

Other

Protagonist of Lew Wallace's 1880 novel Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince seeking justice in Roman-occupied Jerusalem

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #179
Total SSA Count: 2,069
Cultural Origins: Hebrew Jewish Christian English
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Common Nicknames

Jude Jud

Pairs Well With

Judah James Judah Michael Judah Cole Judah Ray Judah Alexander Judah Thomas

Sibling Names

Ezra Silas Elijah Nora Leah Miriam

Also a Girl Name

Judah is also used as a girl name, ranked #3774.

View Judah as a girl name →

Similar Names

Maude Joseph Gordon Arden London Jordon Julien Jorden

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Judah

What does the name Judah mean?

"praised, thankful" (from Hebrew). "one who is celebrated" (from Hebrew). Judah comes from the Hebrew Yehudah meaning praised or one who is thanked. In the Hebrew Bible, Judah was the fourth son of Jacob and Leah, and the ancestor of the most prominent Israelite tribe - the one from which King David and, in Christian tradition, Jesus descended. The name carries centuries of sacred weight.

What is the origin of the name Judah?

Judah has Hebrew, Jewish, Christian, and English origins. In Hebrew, it means "praised, thankful". In Hebrew, it means "one who is celebrated".

Is Judah a boy or girl name?

Judah is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #179. As a girl name, it is ranked #3774. Judah is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Judah?

Judah is pronounced j-OOD-uh.

How popular is the name Judah?

Judah is currently ranked #179 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Judah?

Common nicknames for Judah include Jude and Jud.

What are good middle names for Judah?

Popular middle name pairings include Judah James, Judah Michael, Judah Cole, Judah Ray, Judah Alexander, and Judah Thomas.

What are good sibling names for Judah?

Names that pair well with Judah as siblings include Ezra, Silas, Elijah, Nora, Leah, and Miriam.

How many syllables does Judah have?

Judah has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Judah a common or rare name?

Judah is a popular name, ranked #179 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.

About the Name Judah

Judah is a boy name with Hebrew, Jewish, Christian, and English origins . The name means "praised, thankful" in Hebrew .

Is Judah a boy or girl name? Judah is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #179 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #3,774. Judah is more commonly used as a boy name.

Judah is currently ranked #179 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Judah has 2 syllables and is pronounced j-OOD-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Judah include Jude and Jud. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.