"let God be praised"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Yehuda
Pronunciation: [ y-uhh-OOD-uh ]
Does Yehuda flow with your last name?
The name that gave a people their identity — Yehuda
Hebrew
Jewish
Israeli
Spiritual
Traditional
Strong
Classic
Bold
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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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.
Historical Record
Yehuda first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 7,525 babies have been named Yehuda in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Yehuda is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #734 for boy names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#734
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Yehuda
Y
Yehudi Menuhin
Musician
1916
American-born British violinist considered one of the greatest of the 20th century; Yehudi is a variant of Yehuda
Y
Yehuda HaMaccabi (Judah Maccabee)
Military
Jewish military leader who led the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid Empire, whose victory is celebrated as Hanukkah
J
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
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Compare Yehuda with:
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
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Yehuda
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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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.
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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