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Yehuda

♂ Boy

Pronounced yeh-HOO-dah /jɛˈhuː.də/High

Meaning: The original Hebrew form of Judah, from Yehudah (יְהוּדָה), meaning 'praised' or 'one who gives thanks to God'; from the root yadah (to praise, to give thanks); Judah was the fourth son of Jacob and Leah in the Hebrew Bible, and ancestor of the tribe of Judah from which David and Jesus descendedHigh

In 30 seconds: Yehuda is the authentic Hebrew form of Judah — the name behind Judaism and the tribe of David. Deeply rooted in Jewish tradition and increasingly recognized beyond it, it is a name of extraordinary historical and spiritual weight.
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Origin HighHebrew
MeaningThe original Hebrew form of Judah, from Yehudah (יְהוּדָה), meaning 'praised' or 'one who gives thanks to God'; from the root yadah (to praise, to give thanks); Judah was the fourth son of Jacob and Leah in the Hebrew Bible, and ancestor of the tribe of Judah from which David and Jesus descended
U.S. rank (2025)#741 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births351 boys (0.02% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2024
Total births (all-time)≈ 7,876

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202419502025

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

History & Origin

Yehuda is the original Hebrew form of Judah, fourth son of Jacob and Leah. The tribe of Judah became the dominant tribe of ancient Israel, from which King David and his dynasty emerged. The name has been central to Jewish tradition for over 3,000 years, used by rabbis, scholars, and leaders throughout the Diaspora.

Yehuda is widely used in Israel and in Orthodox and traditional Jewish communities worldwide. In the United States it has been growing among Jewish families who prefer the original Hebrew form over the Anglicized Judah. It has also attracted non-Jewish parents drawn to its strong biblical sound.

Did you know? The word Jew itself derives from Yehuda (through Latin Judaeus and Greek Ioudaios) — the name of Judah's tribe became the name of the entire people. Using Yehuda as a given name is thus not just a personal choice but a direct linguistic link to the very identity of Jewish civilization.
Overall data confidence 95%
Behind the Name — Judah — etymology and biblical historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

JudahJudaYuda

Nicknames

YudiYehudiJay

Famous Bearers

  • ★Yehuda HaNasi (c. 135–c. 220)
    2nd–3rd century CE rabbi who redacted the Mishnah, foundational text of Jewish oral law.

If you like Yehuda…

Judah— the anglicized form of the same name with identical meaning
Eliyahu— fellow deeply Hebrew biblical name in the same traditional Jewish naming register
Nachum— shares the authentic Hebrew form and the same classic Jewish naming heritage
Shimon— parallel authentic Hebrew patriarch name used in the same traditional Jewish communities

Frequently Asked

What does the name Yehuda mean?

Yehuda means 'praised' or 'giving thanks to God' from Hebrew yadah. It is the original Hebrew form of Judah, ancestor of King David.

How do you pronounce Yehuda?

Yehuda is pronounced yeh-HOO-dah /jɛˈhuː.də/ — three syllables with stress on the second.

Is Yehuda the same as Judah?

Yes, Yehuda and Judah are the same name. Yehuda is the original Hebrew form; Judah is the anglicized form used in English Bible translations.

Is Yehuda a Jewish name?

Yehuda is central to Jewish tradition — the name of the tribe from which King David descended, and the root of the words 'Judea' and 'Jew' themselves.