"son of Judd"
Origin: English
Language: English
Judson
Pronunciation: [ j-UHDS-uhn ]
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A distinguished surname name with missionary heritage
American
English
Classic
Strong
Sophisticated
Vintage
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"son of the praised one"
Origin: Hebrew via English
Language: English
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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.
Historical Record
Judson first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 9,462 babies have been named Judson in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Judson is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #957 for boy names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#957
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Judson
J
Judson Laipply
Other
1975
American motivational speaker and comedian whose 'Evolution of Dance' became one of YouTube's first viral videos
A
Adoniram Judson
Religious
1788
America's first foreign missionary, who spent 37 years in Burma and translated the entire Bible into Burmese
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Compare Judson with:
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
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Judson
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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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.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis