Judas

The name Judas is a masculine first name of Greek origin, derived from the Hebrew names Jehuda and Jehudah.

What does the name Judas mean?

Judas is a Greek biblical first name that traces back to the Hebrew names Jehuda or Jehudah. In German translation, it means 'the promised one' as well as 'the praised one.' Additionally, the name is often associated with betrayal, which is why it is sometimes interpreted as 'the traitor.' The exact origin of the name remains unclear; however, it is folk-etymologically derived from Old Hebrew, either from the word yehûdâh (יְהוּדָה) for 'praised' and 'glorified' or from yadâh (יָדָה) for 'to praise' and 'to glorify.' It may also be that the name originally evolved from a geographical place name (cf. Jos 20:7) into a first name. Note: In Germany, Judas is not permitted as an independent first name. Judas Iscariot is mentioned in the New Testament as one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and is known for his kiss and betrayal of Jesus, for which he was paid thirty pieces of silver. In the writings of Luke, the disciple Thaddeus is referred to as 'Judas, son of James.' Additionally, Judah in the Bible is the fourth son of Jacob, linking the name to one of the twelve tribes of Israel. From this tribal area, the Kingdom of Judah later emerged. The name is often regarded as the feminine form of the name Judith. Variants include Yehudah, Yehuda, Juda, Judah, Jude, Giuda, Judel, Yudel, and Yuda. Relevant variations are Jehudi and Yehudi.

Where does the name Judas come from?

The name Judas has its roots in Old Hebrew and means 'the promised one.'

How do you pronounce Judas?

The pronunciation of Judas is clearly structured and two syllables. In the German language, the name is usually pronounced as 'Ju-das' [ˈjuːdas], which creates a calm and even sound line. The ending with 'das' provides a clear and definite conclusion, giving the name weight. As a result, Judas appears compelling, meaningful, and radiates a distinctive, sonorous presence associated with biblical and historical depth.

When is the name day of Judas?

The name day for Judas is celebrated on October 28, in honor of Judas Thaddeus.

Popularity

In Germany, Judas is a rather rare first name. So far, it has not appeared in the German first name charts. Its best ranking was in 1975, reaching 3,659th place in the U.S. name charts. In the last ten years, Judas has been chosen as a first name about 230 times in the U.S., placing it at 2,313th in the ten-year statistics. Between 1930 and 2024, it ranks 3,017th in the U.S.

Famous people

• Judas (Biblical figure. He is said to have betrayed Jesus Christ.)
• Judas Barsabbas (Envoy of the Apostolic Council)
• Judas Iscariot (Apostle of Jesus Christ)
• Judas Maccabeus (Jewish freedom fighter)
• Judas Thaddaeus Sichelbein (German painter)
• Judasohr (A fungus)