Judah
Meaning of Judah
The name Judah is a strong and historically rich choice for a baby boy. Originating from Hebrew, Judah (pronounced JOO-duh in English and yoo-DAH in Hebrew) means "praised" or "thankful." It has deep biblical roots, being the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel and an important figure in the Old Testament. The name is often associated with leadership, strength, and spirituality. A popular variation of Judah is Jude. Over recent years, Judah has steadily gained popularity in the United States, consistently ranking within the top 200 names since 2016. This timeless name carries both historical significance and contemporary appeal, making it a meaningful choice for parents seeking a name with depth and character.
Pronunciation
American English
- Pronunced as JOO-duh (/ˈdʒu.də/)
Hebrew
- Pronunced as yoo-DAH (/juːˈdɑː/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Judah
| Judah Philip Benjamin was a prominent figure in American history, serving as a United States senator from Louisiana, a Cabinet officer of the Confederate States, and later becoming an English barrister after escaping to the United Kingdom at the end of the American Civil War. |
| Judah ben Samuel of Regensburg, also known as Yehuda HeHasid or 'Judah the Pious,' was a prominent leader of the Chassidei Ashkenaz, a Jewish mysticism movement in Germany. |
| Judah Leib Ben-Ze'ev was a Galician Jewish philologist, lexicographer, and Biblical scholar who played a significant role in revitalizing the Hebrew language. |
| Judah Friedlander is an American actor and comedian known for his roles in 30 Rock and American Splendor, as well as for his appearance in the music video for the Dave Matthews Band single "Everyday". |
| Judah Monis, North America's first Hebrew language college instructor and author of the first Hebrew textbook in the region, was also the first Jew to earn a college degree in the American colonies, but his conversion to Christianity sparked controversy among both Jews and Christians. |
| Judah Leib Gordon, also known as Leon Gordon, was a significant Hebrew poet during the Jewish Enlightenment. |
| Judah Eskender Tafari, born Ronald William Merrills, was a Jamaican reggae vocalist and musician known for his unique vocal tone and spiritual perspective, with his records on the Studio One label considered classics; he passed away in 2020 after battling a long illness. |
| Judah Mordechai Cohen was a Dutch-born London-based Jewish merchant and slave plantation owner with significant interests in Jamaica, making him one of the most extensive slave owners in the British West Indies during the time of the Slavery Abolition Act 1833. |
| Judah ben Solomon ha-Kohen was a thirteenth-century Spanish Jewish philosopher, astronomer, and mathematician known for his influential work, the Midrash ha-Ḥokmah, which combined the exact sciences with biblical and rabbinic texts. |
| Judah HeHasid - Judah he-Hasid Segal ha-Levi was a prominent Jewish preacher who led a large group of Jewish immigrants to the Land of Israel in the 17th and 18th centuries. |
| Judah Bardach - Judah (Julius) Bardach was a Russian Jewish writer, translator, and educator known for his contributions to literature and education. |
| Judah Leib Prossnitz - Judah Leib (Leibele) (Löbele) Prossnitz was a 17th-century kabbalist from Moravia who lived in poverty and was known for residing in a reputedly haunted hovel. |
| Y.L. Cahan, also known as Judah Leib Cahan, was a renowned Yiddish folklorist. |
| Judah Idel Scherschewsky was a prominent Lithuanian Talmudist and Hebraist. |
| Judah ben Moses Romano, a fourteenth-century Italian Jewish philosopher and translator, was also known as the cousin of Immanuel of Rome. |
