"praised, he will be praised"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Jude
Pronunciation: [ j-OOD ]
Boy Name
#156 Most Popular
Rising
1 Syllable
A timeless one-syllable name with Beatles cool
English
Biblical
European
Classic
Literary
Strong
Minimalist
Sophisticated
Meaning & Origin
"from Judah (the tribe)"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Latin
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.'
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
Arabic
يهوذا
French
Jude
German
Jude
Hebrew
יְהוּדָה
Italian
Giuda
Spanish
Judas
Famous People Named Jude
J
Jude Law
Actor
1972
British actor known for The Talented Mr. Ripley, Cold Mountain, and the Fantastic Beasts series
J
Jude the Apostle
Religious
One of the twelve apostles of Jesus, patron saint of lost causes, author of the Epistle of Jude
J
Jude Fawley Fictional
Other
Protagonist of Thomas Hardy's 1895 novel 'Jude the Obscure,' a stonemason with thwarted ambitions
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
Pairs Well With
Jude Alexander
Jude Michael
Jude William
Jude Henry
Jude Oliver
Jude Thomas
Jude James
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Jude is also used as a girl name, ranked #2149.
View Jude as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Jude
What does the name Jude mean?
"praised, he will be praised" (from Hebrew). "from Judah (the tribe)" (from Hebrew). 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.
What is the origin of the name Jude?
Jude has Hebrew, English, Biblical, and European origins. In Hebrew, it means "praised, he will be praised". In Hebrew, it means "from Judah (the tribe)".
Is Jude a boy or girl name?
Jude is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #156. As a girl name, it is ranked #2149. Jude is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Jude?
Jude is pronounced j-OOD.
How popular is the name Jude?
Jude is currently ranked #156 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Jude?
Popular middle name pairings include Jude Alexander, Jude Michael, Jude William, Jude Henry, Jude Oliver, Jude Thomas, and Jude James.
What are good sibling names for Jude?
Names that pair well with Jude as siblings include Violet, Iris, Leo, Felix, Eliza, Arthur, Maeve, and Theo.
How many syllables does Jude have?
Jude has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Jude a common or rare name?
Jude is a popular name, ranked #156 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
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.