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Judson

♂ Boy

Pronounced JUD-sun /ˈdʒʌd.sən/High

Meaning: English surname meaning son of Judd, where Judd is a medieval diminutive of Jordan or Judah; Jordan comes from Hebrew Yarden (to flow down) and Judah from Hebrew Yehudah (praised); giving Judson the meaning son of the praised oneHigh

In 30 seconds: Judson is an English patronymic surname meaning son of Judd, where Judd connects to Hebrew Jordan or Judah meaning praised, that has been used as a given name in the United States and is particularly associated with pioneering Baptist missionary Adoniram Judson.
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Origin HighHebrew, English
MeaningEnglish surname meaning son of Judd, where Judd is a medieval diminutive of Jordan or Judah; Jordan comes from Hebrew Yarden (to flow down) and Judah from Hebrew Yehudah (praised); giving Judson the meaning son of the praised one
U.S. rank (2025)#934 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births252 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2023
Total births (all-time)≈ 13,879

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202318802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Judson is an English patronymic surname, meaning son of Judd. Judd was a medieval English diminutive of Jordan, itself from Hebrew Yarden (to flow down, referring to the Jordan River), or of Judah, from Hebrew Yehudah (praised). Both derivations trace back to Hebrew. As a surname, Judson is most famous through the Judson family of American Baptist missionary history, particularly Adoniram Judson (1788–1850), the pioneering American missionary to Burma who translated the Bible into Burmese.

As a given name, Judson has been used in the United States since the 19th century, partly as a tribute to the missionary Adoniram Judson within Baptist and evangelical communities. In the 21st century it appeals to parents who want a surname-as-first-name with both Christian heritage and a strong, dignified sound. It shares the -son suffix with Hudson, Jackson, and Grayson, fitting within the popular American pattern of son-ending boys names. Judson is uncommon enough to feel distinctive while remaining immediately recognizable.

Did you know? Adoniram Judson (1788–1850), one of the first American Protestant missionaries to work in Asia, spent 37 years in Burma (Myanmar) translating the entire Bible into Burmese — a monumental achievement that made his surname Judson a respected name in American Baptist tradition and in Burmese Christian communities.
Overall data confidence 83%
Behind the Name — Judson — surname etymology and usage

Variations

HudsonJudd

Nicknames

JudJudd

Famous Bearers

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If you like Judson…

Hudson— two-syllable -son ending English surname boys name with the same American river and heritage feel
Grayson— two-syllable -son ending boys name in the same contemporary American surname tradition
Jackson— two-syllable -son ending boys name sharing the same patronymic structure and American popularity
Harrison— three-syllable -son ending boys name with comparable dignified American surname character

Frequently Asked

What does the name Judson mean?

Judson means son of Judd, where Judd connects to Hebrew Jordan or Judah meaning praised.

How do you pronounce Judson?

It is said JUD-sun — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Judson a religious name?

In American Baptist tradition, Judson is associated with missionary Adoniram Judson, giving it a faith-heritage character.

Is Judson popular?

Judson is uncommon but growing, fitting the popular American trend for -son ending boys names like Hudson, Grayson, and Jackson.