Judi is a feminine given name used in English-speaking countries, primarily functioning as a diminutive of Judith.Etymology and HistoryJudith derives from the Hebrew name Yehudit (יְהוּדִית), meaning "Jewish woman" or "woman from Judea." This traces back to the tribe of Judah. In the Old Testament, Judith is mentioned as one of the Hittite wives of Esau (Genesis 26:34), but the name gained prominence from the apocryphal Book of Judith, where Judith of Bethulia saves her people by beheading the Assyrian general Holofernes. As a given name, Judith was used among medieval European royalty, including Judith of Bavaria in the 9th century, but in England it did not become widespread until the Protestant Reformation. The diminutive Judi emerged alongside Judy and Judie as a familiar shortening.Notable BearersNotable individuals named Judi span diverse fields:Judi Dench (born 1934), celebrated English actress known for her roles in film and theater, winner of an Academy Award and numerous other honors.Judi Andersen (born 1958), American model and beauty queen, Miss USA 1978.Judi Bari (1949–1997), American environmentalist and labor leader, a prominent figure in the Earth First! movement.Judi Bowker (born 1954), English actress, known for her role in the 1975 film The Hiding Place.Judi Brown (born 1961), American Olympic hurdler who won a silver medal in 1984.Judi Chamberlin (1944–2010), activist in the psychiatric survivors movement and author.Judi Ann Mason (1955–2009), American television writer and playwright.Cultural SignificanceWhile primarily a Western name with biblical roots, Judi also exists as an Arabic name referring to Mount Judi (Jūdī) mentioned in the Quran as the resting place of Noah's Ark. This dual heritage gives the name a multicultural layer. The diminutive form remains most common in English-speaking countries, where it carries a feminine and approachable quality.