Yehuda

Pronunciation: [ y-uhh-OOD-uh ]

Boy Name #734 Most Popular Steady 3 Syllables

The name that gave a people their identity — Yehuda

Hebrew Jewish Israeli

Spiritual Traditional Strong Classic Bold

Meaning & Origin

"let God be praised"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

Things to Know About This Name

Judas Iscariot is the Latin/Greek form — the name Judas carries extremely negative Christian associations due to the betrayal of Jesus, though Yehuda/Judah does not carry the same stigma

The Story of Yehuda

Yehuda is the Hebrew original of the name that became Judah in English, Juda in Latin, and Judas in Greek. It derives from the Hebrew root 'yadah' meaning 'to praise' or 'to give thanks.' In the Bible, Yehuda was the fourth son of Jacob and Leah; his descendants became the largest and most influential of the twelve tribes of Israel. The tribe of Yehuda gave its name to the kingdoms of Judea and later to all Jewish people ('Yehudi' means 'Jew' in Hebrew).

Yehuda is one of the most common names in Jewish communities worldwide, particularly in Israel and Orthodox Jewish communities in the diaspora. In Israel it consistently ranks among the top 20 boys' names. In secular Western contexts, the English form Judah has grown trendy, but Yehuda remains specifically Jewish in identification.

Yehuda is inseparable from Jewish identity — the word 'Yehudi' (Jew) literally means 'of Yehuda.' The tribe produced King David, the Maccabees, and by tradition, the Messiah. Yehuda HaMaccabi (Judah Maccabee) led the revolt celebrated at Hanukkah. The name carries the entire weight of Jewish history.

Fun Facts

The word 'Jew' derives from Yehuda through Latin Iudaeus and Old French gyu
Judah Maccabee led the revolt that Hanukkah commemorates — his victory against the Seleucid Greeks in 165 BCE preserved Jewish religious practice

Yehuda in Other Languages

Arabic يهودا

French Juda

Hebrew יְהוּדָה

English Judah

Italian Giuda

Spanish Judas/Judá

Yiddish Yude

Famous People Named Yehuda

Yehudi Menuhin

Musician

1916

American-born British violinist considered one of the greatest of the 20th century; Yehudi is a variant of Yehuda

Yehuda HaMaccabi (Judah Maccabee)

Military

Jewish military leader who led the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid Empire, whose victory is celebrated as Hanukkah

Judah (Genesis)

Religious

Fourth son of Jacob and Leah in the Hebrew Bible, ancestor of the tribe of Judah and by tradition, of the Davidic line a...

Fourth son of Jacob and Leah in the Hebrew Bible, ancestor of the tribe of Judah and by tradition, of the Davidic line and the Messiah

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 3
Popularity Rank: #734
Total SSA Count: 356
Cultural Origins: Hebrew Jewish Israeli
Pronunciation: Moderate
Formality: Formal
Cross-Cultural Ease: Low

Common Nicknames

Yudi Dudi Yehudi

Pairs Well With

Yehuda Aryeh Yehuda Moshe Yehuda Chaim Yehuda Natan Yehuda Shlomo Yehuda Binyamin Yehuda Dovid

Sibling Names

Rivka Devorah Shimon Binyamin Leah Naftali Rachel

Similar Names

Judson Yosef Yusef Yousef Yahya Youssef Yaseen Yusra

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Yehuda

What does the name Yehuda mean?

"let God be praised" (from Hebrew). Yehuda is the Hebrew original of the name that became Judah in English, Juda in Latin, and Judas in Greek. It derives from the Hebrew root 'yadah' meaning 'to praise' or 'to give thanks.' In the Bible, Yehuda was the fourth son of Jacob and Leah; his descendants became the largest and most influential of the twelve tribes of Israel. The tribe of Yehuda gave its name to the kingdoms of Judea and later to all Jewish people ('Yehudi' means 'Jew' in Hebrew).

What is the origin of the name Yehuda?

Yehuda has Hebrew, Jewish, and Israeli origins. In Hebrew, it means "let God be praised".

Is Yehuda a boy or girl name?

Yehuda is primarily used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Yehuda?

Yehuda is pronounced y-uhh-OOD-uh.

How popular is the name Yehuda?

Yehuda is currently ranked #734 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Yehuda?

Common nicknames for Yehuda include Yudi, Dudi, and Yehudi.

What are good middle names for Yehuda?

Popular middle name pairings include Yehuda Aryeh, Yehuda Moshe, Yehuda Chaim, Yehuda Natan, Yehuda Shlomo, Yehuda Binyamin, and Yehuda Dovid.

What are good sibling names for Yehuda?

Names that pair well with Yehuda as siblings include Rivka, Devorah, Shimon, Binyamin, Leah, Naftali, and Rachel.

How many syllables does Yehuda have?

Yehuda has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.

Is Yehuda a common or rare name?

Yehuda is moderately common, ranked #734 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Yehuda

Yehuda is a boy name with Hebrew, Jewish, and Israeli origins . The name means "let God be praised" in Hebrew .

Yehuda is currently ranked #734 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Yehuda has 3 syllables and is pronounced y-uhh-OOD-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.

Common nicknames for Yehuda include Yudi, Dudi, and Yehudi. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.