Yehudah Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: yeh-HOO-dah /jəˈhuːdə/
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Hebrew: praised; celebrated
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Yehudah, often rendered as Judah in English, has its roots in the Hebrew language, originating from the word 'יְהוּדָה' (Yehudah), which means 'praised' or 'thankful.' This name is derived from the verb 'יָדָה' (yadah), meaning 'to praise.' The name appears in the Hebrew Bible, where Judah is one of the twelve sons of Jacob and Leah, making it significant in Jewish tradition and history. The name transitioned into Greek as 'Ioudas' and later into Latin as 'Judas,' before being adopted into Old French and eventually English as Judah.
This linguistic journey reflects the name's deep biblical roots and its enduring presence in religious texts and traditions. Historically, Yehudah holds a prominent place in biblical narratives.
Judah is recognized as the founder of the Tribe of Judah, which became one of the most important tribes in Israelite history. The tribe is often associated with the Davidic line, as King David and subsequently Jesus, according to the New Testament, are said to descend from Judah.
Significant biblical events, such as the blessing of Jacob in the Book of Genesis, highlight Judah's role in the lineage of the Israelite people. The name also appears in various translations of the Bible, including the Septuagint and the King James Bible, which helped to solidify its recognition in Christian contexts.
Culturally, Yehudah symbolizes leadership and strength, often associated with themes of praise and gratitude. The name has been embraced in various forms across different cultures, with diminutives like Yudi or Jude emerging in some traditions.
The enduring legacy of Yehudah is reflected in its continued use in Jewish communities and its representation in religious texts, where it embodies a sense of heritage and identity. The name's historical and cultural significance ensures its lasting resonance in both Jewish and Christian traditions.
Famous people named Yehudah
In this section, you will find notable people named Yehudah. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Yehudah who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Yehudah who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Yehudah ben Shmuel ha-Levi is a Jewish poet best known for his contributions to Hebrew poetry and the liturgical poems known as Piyyutim.
Yehudah Ashlag is a Kabbalist best known for his writings on the study of Kabbalah and the interpretation of the Zohar.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Yehudah, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Yehudah. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Yehudah was first seen in the United States in 1954.
Yehudah has ranked as high as #1350 nationally, which occurred in 2009, and has been most popular in New York.
In the past 5 years the name Yehudah has been trending about the same compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Yehudah is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Yehudah was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Yehudah (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Yehudah.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2023 | 23 |
| 2022 | 16 |
| 2021 | 21 |
| 2020 | 19 |
| 2019 | 25 |
| 2018 | 16 |
| 2017 | 19 |
| 2016 | 11 |
| 2015 | 21 |
| 2014 | 19 |
| 2013 | 24 |
| 2012 | 22 |
| 2011 | 23 |
| 2010 | 18 |
| 2009 | 28 |
| 2008 | 27 |
| 2007 | 22 |
| 2006 | 23 |
| 2005 | 17 |
| 2004 | 22 |
| 2003 | 18 |
| 2002 | 18 |
| 2001 | 15 |
| 2000 | 20 |
| 1999 | 15 |
| 1998 | 17 |
| 1997 | 20 |
| 1996 | 18 |
| 1995 | 8 |
| 1994 | 14 |
| 1993 | 11 |
| 1991 | 5 |
| 1990 | 13 |
| 1989 | 10 |
| 1988 | 8 |
| 1987 | 14 |
| 1985 | 11 |
| 1984 | 7 |
| 1983 | 13 |
| 1982 | 15 |
| 1981 | 11 |
| 1979 | 7 |
| 1978 | 6 |
| 1975 | 8 |
| 1972 | 5 |
| 1971 | 7 |
| 1962 | 5 |
| 1954 | 5 |