Judas is the English form of the Greek Ἰούδας (Ioudas), which itself is a Hellenization of the Hebrew Yehuda (Judah). The name appears frequently in the New Testament, most notoriously as the name of Judas Iscariot, one of the original Twelve Apostles who betrayed Jesus Christ. It also appears in the Old Testament Apocrypha (e.g., the Books of Maccabees) and in the New Testament as the name of other figures, including the disciple Jude (sometimes distinct from Judas Iscariot) and the brother of Jesus. Owing to its powerful negative association, the name's usage in English-speaking and Christian cultures declined dramatically, though variant forms like Jude have remained popular. Etymology and Biblical Context The name Judas derives from the Hebrew Yehuda, meaning “praised” or “thanked,” rooted in the Old Testament patriarch Judah (son of Jacob). In Greek, Ioudas was used to translate both Judah and Judas. In the New Testament, the Evangelists record four primary figures named Judas: Judas Iscariot, the traitor; the apostle Judas (son of James, also called Thaddaeus); the brother of Jesus (sometimes equated with Jude, the author of the Epistle of Jude); and a relative named Judas Barabbas (in Matthew 27:16–17). According to the gospels, Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus to the Sanhedrin for thirty pieces of silver by identifying him with a kiss, an event central to Christian Passion narratives. Notable Bearers: Beyond the Infamy In the apocryphal Book of Maccabees, the name Judas is borne by Judas Maccabeus, a Jewish guerrilla leader who led the revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE. In the New Testament, Jude is often used as a variant, while Judas the brother of Jesus is traditionally considered the author of the Epistle of Jude. In art and legend, the name has become synonymous with betrayal; Johann Nepomuk Nestroy's play Judas erhält einen Lohn and the concept of a Judas kiss are enduring cultural symbols. Lingering usage in modern times is rare for children in Christian-majority countries, but the Italian Giuda and Spanish Judas persisted culturally with strong cautionary overtones. Cultural and Linguistic Legacy In languages across Europe, Judas appears in biblical translations (Slavic Judas, Romance Giuda, Germanic Judas) but historically served as a name from which many Christian families distanced themselves. The usual epithet “Iscariot” likely derives from Hebrew Ish-Kerioat (“man of Kerioath”), linking Judas to a village in Judea, or perhaps the Latin scortor corrupter. Reformation-era interpreters explored the name's symbolic weight as a warning against greed, apostasy, and temptation. Outside Christianity, occasional use appears in secular contexts, as in Colombia’s “Judas medallón” folk tradition of hanging Judas effigies at Easter. However, the name remains a quintessential archetype of betrayal, as encapsulated in the phrase “betraying with a kiss.” Culturally, it invokes narratives of sin, free will, and redemption across Western art and literature. Summary Meaning: Praised (from Hebrew Yehuda) Origin: Greek form of Hebrew ‘Judah’ used in the New Testament Type: Biblical male name Principal Usage: Historically common in Christian contexts but rare since late antiquity; standard in English and European Bibles Notables: Judas Iscariot (Apostle), Judas Maccabeus (Jewish rebel), Judas son of James (Apostle), Judas the Brother of Jesus