Judson

Pronunciation: [ j-UHDS-uhn ]

Boy Name #957 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

A distinguished surname name with missionary heritage

American English

Classic Strong Sophisticated Vintage

Meaning & Origin

"son of Judd"

Origin: English

Language: English

"son of the praised one"

Origin: Hebrew via English

Language: English

The Story of Judson

Judson is an English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Judd,' where Judd was a medieval pet form of Jordan or Judah. The name Jordan comes from the Hebrew 'yarad' (to descend) — the name of the sacred river — while Judah means 'praised' in Hebrew. Judson thus carries an indirect connection to both the Holy Land and the concept of being praiseworthy.

Judson has been gaining traction as parents look for alternatives to the extremely popular Hudson and Jackson. It offers the same strong '-son' ending with a more distinctive 'Jud' prefix and natural nickname options. It also honors the legacy of missionary Adoniram Judson.

Adoniram Judson (1788-1850) was America's first foreign missionary, spending 37 years in Burma (Myanmar) and translating the Bible into Burmese. His impact on Protestant missionary history is enormous, making the name Judson carry particular significance in Baptist and evangelical Christian communities.

Fun Facts

Adoniram Judson spent 17 months imprisoned in Burma during his mission work in the early 1800s
Judson University in Illinois is named after missionary Adoniram Judson
The name is rising in America partly as a more unique alternative to the top-10 name Hudson

Judson in Other Languages

French Judson

German Judson

English Judson

Spanish Judson

Portuguese Judson

Famous People Named Judson

Judson Laipply

Other

1975

American motivational speaker and comedian whose 'Evolution of Dance' became one of YouTube's first viral videos

Adoniram Judson

Religious

1788

America's first foreign missionary, who spent 37 years in Burma and translated the entire Bible into Burmese

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #957
Total SSA Count: 236
Cultural Origins: American English
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Common Nicknames

Jud Judd

Pairs Well With

Judson Cole Judson James Judson Alexander Judson Reid Judson Thomas Judson Grant Judson Clark

Sibling Names

Hudson Anderson Sloane Emerson Whitley Beckett Waverly

Similar Names

Nathan Jackson Major Madison Jason Lawson Houston Johnson

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Judson

What does the name Judson mean?

"son of Judd" (from English). "son of the praised one" (from Hebrew via English). Judson is an English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Judd,' where Judd was a medieval pet form of Jordan or Judah. The name Jordan comes from the Hebrew 'yarad' (to descend) — the name of the sacred river — while Judah means 'praised' in Hebrew. Judson thus carries an indirect connection to both the Holy Land and the concept of being praiseworthy.

What is the origin of the name Judson?

Judson has English, Hebrew via English, and American origins. In English, it means "son of Judd". In Hebrew via English, it means "son of the praised one".

Is Judson a boy or girl name?

Judson is primarily used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Judson?

Judson is pronounced j-UHDS-uhn.

How popular is the name Judson?

Judson is currently ranked #957 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Judson?

Common nicknames for Judson include Jud and Judd.

What are good middle names for Judson?

Popular middle name pairings include Judson Cole, Judson James, Judson Alexander, Judson Reid, Judson Thomas, Judson Grant, and Judson Clark.

What are good sibling names for Judson?

Names that pair well with Judson as siblings include Hudson, Anderson, Sloane, Emerson, Whitley, Beckett, and Waverly.

How many syllables does Judson have?

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

Is Judson a common or rare name?

Judson is moderately common, ranked #957 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Judson

Judson is a boy name with American and English origins . The name means "son of Judd" in English .

Judson is currently ranked #957 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Judson has 2 syllables and is pronounced j-UHDS-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

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