Jude

In the New Testament of the Bible, the second apostle Judas authored something. That work is a book in the Bible, the Epistle of Jude. 

Jude, the English variant of Judas that has been worn by the Catholic saint of lost causes, first entered English-speaking use in the sixteenth century. Jude was initially unisex since as many girls had the name as boys in Victorian England. It wasn't until the last few decades that the name became masculine. 

In the United States, Jude has been recorded for at least five babies as early as 1912. However, it did not enter the charts until 1954. Jude remained there until 1986. In 1999, the name returned to the charts and has since risen. British actor Jude Law's performance in the 1999 film, The Talented Mr. Ripley, probably explains the rise. It has been a top 200 name since 2009. That same year, Jude entered the English top 100.

Jude is also popular in Australia, Northern Island, and Scotland. It has some usage history in France as well along with some international variants, including the Hebrew Yehudah. 

Jude will appeal to parents who love Biblical and saintly names that are much less ordinary than John and Michael. The name's compact and brisk style will appeal to lovers of Finn and Nico as well. 

VARIANTS:

Judas, Yehuda(h)

STYLES:

Biblical, Brisk, Compact, Saintly

SISTERS:

Delilah, Brynn, Gemma, Maeve, Eden, Nova, Zoe, Scarlett

BROTHERS:

 Finn, Eli, Jonas, Declan, Nico, Silas, Pierce, Luke

ALTERNATIVES:

Beau, Duke, Gideon, Hugo, Jabez, Jones, Reuben, Rhodes

FURTHER RESOURCES:

"Jude." Names, Behind the Name, 22 Jan. 2019, https://www.behindthename.com/name/jude-1. Accessed                 24 Jan. 2023.

Nickerson, Eleanor. "Jude." Names of the Week, British Baby Names, 15 Jun. 2013, https://www.britishbabynames.com/blog/2013/06/jude.html. Accessed 24 Jan. 2023. 

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