"from Judah, the tribe"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Judas
Pronunciation: [ j-OOD-uhs ]
Boy Name
#5,078 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
2 Syllables
Ancient and honorable, laden with complicated history
Hebrew
Jewish
Christian
Traditional
Bold
Literary
Vintage
Strong
Meaning & Origin
Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with Judas Iscariot, the biblical betrayer of Jesus Christ — widely considered a taboo name in Christian cultures
- Associated with 'Judas Kiss,' a symbol of betrayal in Western culture
The Story of Judas
Judas is the Greek and Latin form of the Hebrew name Yehudah (Judah), meaning 'praised' or 'let God be praised.' It was once a common and honored name in ancient Judea — the patriarch Judah was one of the twelve sons of Jacob and one of the founders of Israel. The New Testament contains multiple men named Judas, including both Judas Iscariot (the betrayer) and Judas the apostle (also called Thaddaeus).
Judas fell almost completely out of use in the Western world after the New Testament narrative established Judas Iscariot as the archetypal traitor. The name has remained virtually unused for nearly two thousand years in Christian-majority cultures, though the root name Judah has experienced a notable revival in the 21st century.
Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus for thirty pieces of silver made 'Judas' synonymous with treachery across Western culture. The phrase 'Judas kiss' — a false show of affection concealing betrayal — entered multiple languages. However, historical scholarship notes the name was once completely neutral and honorable.
Fun Facts
- Lady Gaga's 2011 hit song 'Judas' brought the name back into pop culture consciousness
- There are at least five different men named Judas in the New Testament
- Judas Maccabeus was a heroic Jewish military leader who liberated Jerusalem in 164 BCE — making Judas an honored name for centuries before the New Testament
Judas in Other Languages
Arabic
يهوذا
French
Judas
German
Judas
Hebrew
יְהוּדָה
Spanish
Judas
Popularity Over Time
#5,078
Current Rank
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Famous People Named Judas
J
Judas Iscariot
Religious
Apostle of Jesus who betrayed him to Roman authorities for thirty pieces of silver, according to the New Testament
J
Judas Maccabeus
Military
Jewish military leader who led the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid Empire and recaptured Jerusalem circa 164 BCE
J
Judas Priest
Musician
Not a person but the iconic British heavy metal band formed in 1969, named after a Bob Dylan song
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #5,078
- Total SSA Count
- 19
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew Jewish Christian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Jude
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, traditional style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, bold style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Hebrew)
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Judas
What does the name Judas mean?
"from Judah, the tribe" (from Hebrew). Judas is the Greek and Latin form of the Hebrew name Yehudah (Judah), meaning 'praised' or 'let God be praised.' It was once a common and honored name in ancient Judea — the patriarch Judah was one of the twelve sons of Jacob and one of the founders of Israel. The New Testament contains multiple men named Judas, including both Judas Iscariot (the betrayer) and Judas the apostle (also called Thaddaeus).
What is the origin of the name Judas?
Judas has Hebrew, Jewish, and Christian origins. In Hebrew, it means "from Judah, the tribe".
Is Judas a boy or girl name?
Judas is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Judas?
Judas is pronounced j-OOD-uhs.
How popular is the name Judas?
Judas is currently ranked #5078 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Judas?
Common nicknames for Judas include Jude.
What are good middle names for Judas?
Popular middle name pairings include Judas Michael, Judas Thomas, Judas James, Judas Paul, Judas Alexander, and Judas Emmanuel.
What are good sibling names for Judas?
Names that pair well with Judas as siblings include Simon, Matthew, Miriam, Leah, Tobias, and Ezra.
How many syllables does Judas have?
Judas has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Judas a common or rare name?
Judas is an uncommon name, ranked #5078 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Judas
Judas is a boy name with Hebrew, Jewish, and Christian origins . The name means "from Judah, the tribe" in Hebrew .
Judas is currently ranked #5,078 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Judas has 2 syllables and is pronounced j-OOD-uhs, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Judas include Jude. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Judas include Judah . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.