Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Jude
BoyHebrew, English· “praised”
- Meaning
- praised
- Origin
- Hebrew, English
- Pronunciation
- JOOD
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #155
- US babies 2025
- 2,384
- Best rank
- #152 (2019)
- Peak year
- 2015
Meaning and origin of Jude
Jude is a Hebrew and English name that means “praised”.
Jude is the English form of Judas or Judah, from the Hebrew Yehudah, usually understood as "praised." In the New Testament, Jude is the apostle traditionally identified as the author of the short Letter of Jude, and Saint Jude is venerated as the patron of lost causes. English speakers used the shortened form to distinguish him from Judas Iscariot. Thomas Hardy's novel Jude the Obscure and the Beatles song "Hey Jude" both kept the name in the public ear. Today Jude feels simple, gentle and a little literary. It works for boys and increasingly as a middle name, and it pairs well with longer surnames.
Popularity over time
Jude first appears in US Social Security records in 1912. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 58 different years, starting in 1954. Its best national rank was #152 in 2019, and the most babies received it in 2015, when 2,668 were named Jude. In 2025, 2,384 babies were named Jude, and it ranked #155 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #1,356 in 1950, #933 in 1980, #680 in 2000, #168 in 2010, and #155 in 2025. Of the 53,982 US boys named Jude since records began, 47% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 14,212 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Abraham, Tucker, Zayden, Jayce, and Iker.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Jude ranked highest in Louisiana, Oregon, and Montana.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | #72 | 61 |
| Oregon | #84 | 45 |
| Montana | #88 | 14 |
| North Dakota | #90 | 13 |
| Kansas | #99 | 37 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 96% of US babies named Jude over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Jude is usually pronounced JOOD, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with J and ends in “-de”.
Middle names for Jude
A few middle names that flow with Jude: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Jude
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Lists that include Jude
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jude mean?
Jude is a Hebrew and English name that means “praised”.
What is the origin of the name Jude?
Jude has Hebrew and English roots. Jude is the English form of Judas or Judah, from the Hebrew Yehudah, usually understood as "praised." In the New Testament, Jude is the apostle traditionally identified as the author of the short Letter of Jude, and Saint Jude is venerated as the patron of lost causes.
Is Jude a popular name?
Yes. Jude ranked #155 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Jude a boy or girl name?
Jude is mainly a boy's name. About 96% of US babies named Jude over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Jude?
Jude is usually pronounced JOOD. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings