Jude

The first name Jude is primarily an English variant of the biblical and Hebrew name Jehuda or Jehudah.

What does the name Jude mean?

The name Jude can be directly translated into English as 'the praised one' or 'the celebrated one.' Its exact origin is uncertain, but folk etymologically, it is often derived from Ancient Hebrew. It either comes from the word yehûdâh (יְהוּדָה), which means 'praised' or 'celebrated,' or from yadâh (יָדָה), which means 'to praise' or 'to celebrate.' Occasionally, Jude is also used as a short form of Judith, which in this context means 'the woman from Jehud,' 'the Jewess,' or 'the praised one' or 'the celebrated one,' derived from the Ancient Hebrew word component yehûdı̂yth (יְהוּדִית) or Y'hudít (יְהוּדִי), meaning 'she will be praised' or 'woman of Judea.' The name may also have developed from a geographical reference (cf. Jos 20:7) to a first name. Judas Iscariot, known from the New Testament, was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and is famous for his betrayal of Jesus, for which he received thirty pieces of silver. Additionally, Judah in the Bible is the fourth son of Jacob, linking his name to one of the twelve tribes of Israel. From his tribal area later emerged the Kingdom of Judah. Variants of the name include Yehudah, Yehuda, Juda, Judah, Judas, Giuda, Judel, Yudel, and Yuda. Relevant variations are Jehudi and Yehudi.

Where does the name Jude come from?

The first name Jude has both male and female forms and originates from Ancient Hebrew, meaning 'the praised one' or 'the celebrated one.' It traces back to the word Yehudah, represented as Yəhūḏāh or yehûdâh for 'praised, celebrated' (Ancient Hebrew), or to yadâh for 'to praise, to celebrate' (Ancient Hebrew). The female form Judith is derived from yehûdı̂yth or Y'hudít, meaning 'she will be praised' or 'woman of Judea.' The name is common in biblical, English, and Scottish contexts.

How do you pronounce Jude?

The pronunciation of the name Jude is monosyllabic and sounds soft. In the German language, it is usually pronounced as 'Dschud' [dʒuːd] or Germanized as [ˈjuːdə]. The name begins with a voiced sound, giving it dynamism. The long U sound provides a calm and rounded tone, while the final D offers a gentle yet clear conclusion. Jude conveys an impression of simplicity and dignity – calm, present, and modern.

When is the name day of Jude?

Jude is celebrated on March 13, March 25, June 29, September 1, and September 7.

Popularity

In Germany, the name Jude enjoys high popularity. Currently, it ranks 2,073rd in the list of the most common male first names. Its best placement was in 2022, reaching 1,974th place. In the last ten years, Jude has been given as a first name approximately 80 times, placing it 2,756th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 2,867th.

Nicknames & pet names

Judi / Jüdisch

Similar first names

Famous people

• Alexander Jude Law Edmondson (Australian cyclist)
• Darren Jude Wates (Australian cricketer)
• Hey Jude! (Song by The Beatles)
• John Jude Palencar (American artist)
• Jude Aneke (Nigerian footballer)
• Jude Anthany Joseph (Indian film director)
• Jude Bellingham (English footballer)
• Jude Bijou (American author)
• Jude Chaminda (English cricketer)
• Jude Ciccolella (American actor)
• Jude Cole (American singer)
• Jude Cowan Montague (English artist)
• Jude Deveraux (Author)
• Jude Dibia (Nigerian author)
• Jude Drouin (Canadian ice hockey player)
• Jude Foster (Character from 'The Fosters')
• Jude Ikechukwu Nworuh (Nigerian footballer)
• Jude Kongnyuy (Footballer)
• Jude Kuring (Australian actor)
• Jude Law (Actor)