Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Judah is a Hebrew name meaning 'praised' or 'thankful'. It has historical significance as a biblical name associated with one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The name has evolved from Yehudah in Hebrew to Judah in English. It is linked to strong traits of leadership and has a positive modern perception, with biblical relevance that adds to its appeal.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈdʒuːdə/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Judah comes from the Hebrew name 'Yehudah', which means 'praised' or 'thankful'. In the Hebrew Bible, Judah was the fourth son of Jacob and Leah, and the name is associated with the tribe of Judah, one of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Meaning
praised, thankfulness
Language Evolution
Yehudah (Hebrew), Judah (English)
Biblical Background
Judah is a significant figure in the Bible, known as one of the patriarchs and the ancestor of the tribe of Judah, which produced notable figures including King David and, according to Christian belief, Jesus Christ.
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the Protestant Reformation, as biblical names became more favored among Christians.
Variants & Derivatives
Jude, Jud, Judie
Modern Popularity & Image
Judah is often viewed positively, associated with strength and leadership due to its biblical roots. It has seen a resurgence in modern times, especially among those seeking traditional or biblical names.
Famous People
Judah P. Benjamin, a prominent American politician and lawyer, Judah Maccabee, a historical figure known for leading a revolt against the Seleucid Empire
📊 Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 2,178 peak births in 2021
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Washington
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 10 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (3 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 3 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 3783rd of 7545 | 73 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 3812th of 6773 | 66 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3019th of 7552 | 143 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1680th of 10718 | 447 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1361st of 16616 | 1,010 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 464th of 24088 | 8,995 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 209th of 23106 | 22,755 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 15632nd of 27321 | 36 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 6271st of 35406 | 306 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 3861st of 30306 | 470 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- |
69.25% 955th/1379 |
- | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- |
54.56% 849th/1556 |
- | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
41.40% 1006th/2430 |
- | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
28.22% 983rd/3483 |
- |
38.97% 1576th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
42.25% 1557th/3685 |
20.56% 920th/4475 |
37.79% 1963rd/5194 |
24.95% 1576th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
9.93% 455th/4582 |
8.46% 437th/5164 |
6.70% 490th/7313 |
6.22% 464th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
4.77% 190th/3984 |
5.39% 242nd/4487 |
2.68% 183rd/6822 |
3.66% 230th/6276 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
78.68% 5754th/7313 |
87.11% 6501st/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - |
53.97% 3682nd/6822 |
79.84% 5011th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in Washington across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been consistently rising. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been too falling for male in MidWest, falling for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too falling for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been too falling for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, too falling for male in South, stalled for female in South, too falling for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 3783rd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 3812th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3019th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1680th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1361st out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 464th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 209th out of 23106 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 15632nd out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 6271st out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 3861st out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.