Judah

Pronunciation: [ j-OOD-uh ]

Girl Name #3,774 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A powerful Hebrew name meaning praise and thanksgiving

Hebrew Christian African-American English

Bold Spiritual Strong Vintage

Meaning & Origin

"praised, let him be praised"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

"thanksgiving to God"

Origin: Hebrew yadah

Language: English

Things to Know About This Name

The male form Judas is associated with betrayal; Judah itself is the tribe, not Judas, but some parents may conflate the two

The Story of Judah

Judah (Yehudah in Hebrew, יְהוּדָה) means 'praise' or 'thanksgiving to God,' derived from the Hebrew root 'yadah' (to praise). In the Bible, Judah was the fourth son of Jacob and Leah, and the tribe of Judah became the most powerful of the twelve tribes of Israel — giving us the word 'Jew' (Yehudi). While traditionally male, Judah has been gaining use as a feminine name, joining the trend of strong Old Testament names for girls.

Judah has been rising for girls as parents seek gender-neutral or traditionally masculine biblical names with strength and spiritual depth. The name is part of a broader trend that has seen Levi, Ezra, and Micah also cross gender lines.

The Kingdom of Judah was the southern Jewish kingdom that survived the Assyrian conquest and whose people became the ancestors of modern Jews. The Lion of Judah (Rastafarian symbol) and the Star of David are among the most recognizable symbols of Jewish identity globally.

Fun Facts

The word 'Jew' comes from Yehudi (Judean), derived from the tribe of Judah
Judah is the ancestor of the Davidic royal line — both King David and, in Christian tradition, Jesus Christ were from the tribe of Judah
The Rastafarian 'Lion of Judah' symbol represents Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia's claimed descent from the tribe of Judah

Judah in Other Languages

Greek Ἰούδας (Ioudas)

Latin Iudas/Iuda

Arabic يهوذا

Hebrew יְהוּדָה (Yehudah)

Amharic ይሁዳ (Yihuda)

Famous People Named Judah

Judah Smith

Religious

1980

American pastor and author, lead pastor of Churchome and known for his approachable style

Judah (Biblical)

Religious

Fourth son of Jacob and Leah in the Hebrew Bible; founder of the tribe of Judah, ancestor of King David

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #3,774
Total SSA Count: 40
Cultural Origins: Hebrew Christian African-American English
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Jude JuJu

Pairs Well With

Judah Pearl Judah Mae Judah Rose Judah Grace Judah Elise Judah Sage Judah Wren

Sibling Names

Zion Eden Israel Naomi Levi Selah

Also a Boy Name

Judah is also used as a boy name, ranked #179.

View Judah as a boy name →

Similar Names

Judith Jodie Junior Junia Echo Juna Juno Jude

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Frequently Asked Questions About Judah

What does the name Judah mean?

"praised, let him be praised" (from Hebrew). "thanksgiving to God" (from Hebrew yadah). Judah (Yehudah in Hebrew, יְהוּדָה) means 'praise' or 'thanksgiving to God,' derived from the Hebrew root 'yadah' (to praise). In the Bible, Judah was the fourth son of Jacob and Leah, and the tribe of Judah became the most powerful of the twelve tribes of Israel — giving us the word 'Jew' (Yehudi). While traditionally male, Judah has been gaining use as a feminine name, joining the trend of strong Old Testament names for girls.

What is the origin of the name Judah?

Judah has Hebrew, Hebrew yadah, Christian, African-American, and English origins. In Hebrew, it means "praised, let him be praised". In Hebrew yadah, it means "thanksgiving to God".

Is Judah a boy or girl name?

Judah is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #3774. As a boy name, it is ranked #179. 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 #3774 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Judah?

Common nicknames for Judah include Jude and JuJu.

What are good middle names for Judah?

Popular middle name pairings include Judah Pearl, Judah Mae, Judah Rose, Judah Grace, Judah Elise, Judah Sage, and Judah Wren.

What are good sibling names for Judah?

Names that pair well with Judah as siblings include Zion, Eden, Israel, Naomi, Levi, and Selah.

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 an uncommon name, ranked #3774 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Judah

Judah is a girl name with Hebrew, Christian, African-American, and English origins . The name means "praised, let him be praised" in Hebrew .

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

Judah is currently ranked #3,774 in popularity for girl 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 JuJu. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.