Judah

יְהוּדָה

• Gender: Male
• Origin: Biblical English
• Meaning: to praise

• Judah was the fourth son of Jacob and the one whose name ultimately became the word for the entire Jewish people. He is also connected to the Maccabees and the Hanukkah story, adding a layer of fierce heroism to his already towering legacy. The name means "to praise," and it carries perhaps the most profound weight of any name in Jewish tradition, since it is literally where the word "Jewish" comes from.

  Comedian Judah Friedlander—the self-proclaimed 'World Champion' on '30 Rock'—brought his Russian Jewish heritage and deadpan humor to one of TV's most beloved comedies. It is easy to understand why this name has surged in popularity — it sounds bold and warm at the same time, with a rugged handsomeness that works at every age. Giving your son a name that literally means the Jewish people is about as meaningful as it gets. Judah is not just a name; it is an entire identity.

• Alternate Spellings: Juda
• Hebrew Equivalent:
  Yehuda
• Potential Sibling Name:
  Ruth
  ,
  Esther
  ,
  Elijah
  ,
  Daniel
• Theme: blessing