Judah

At a Glance

Meaning

Praised (from a Hebrew root meaning to thank/praise)

Origin

Hebrew

Gender

Boy

Pronunciation

JOO-duhListen

Judah is a Hebrew boy's name, pronounced JOO-duh, that means "praised" — from a Hebrew root tied to giving thanks. You may have heard it explained as meaning "lion," a reference to the biblical "Lion of Judah," but that's a symbolic emblem for the tribe, not what the name itself means. With a timeless, classic feel that still carries some boldness, Judah reads as an old name with modern-day use.

Meaning & Origin of Judah

Meaning: Praised (from a Hebrew root meaning to thank/praise).

Origin: Hebrew.

A common claim: Sometimes said to mean 'lion,' from the biblical title 'Lion of Judah.' Actually: 'Lion' is a symbolic association (the tribe of Judah's emblem), not the name's actual meaning — Judah's Hebrew root means 'praised.'

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce Judah

Popularity of Judah

Judah hit its high point at #176 in 2023, given to 2,096 boys, then eased slightly to #179 in 2024 with 2,069 — the Social Security Administration has tracked it since 1912.

Names Like Judah

These names share Judah’s style, era or origin.

• Kaleb
• Alijah
• Azaiah
• Aziel
• Azrael
• Azriel

FAQ

What does the name Judah mean?

Praised (from a Hebrew root meaning to thank/praise). (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Judah?

Judah is pronounced JOO-duh (IPA: /ˈdʒuːdə/).

Is Judah a popular name right now?

Judah is near its all-time peak (#176 in 2023), ranked #179 in 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1912–2024.)

Make Judah Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Judah, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.