Meaning & History
Etymology
Yehudah is an alternate transcription of the Hebrew name יְהוּדָה (see Yehuda), which is itself the Hebrew form of Judah. The name Judah is derived from the Hebrew root יָדָה (yaḏa), meaning "to praise" or "to give thanks." This etymology is reflected in the biblical account of the birth of Judah, the fourth son of Jacob and Leah, where Leah declares, "This time I will praise the Lord" (Genesis 29:35).
Biblical and Historical Significance
In the Old Testament, Judah is the fourth son of Jacob by Leah, and becomes the ancestor of the tribe of Judah. The tribe of Judah played a central role in Israelite history, eventually forming the Kingdom of Judah, with Jerusalem as its capital. Notable descendants of Judah include King David and, according to Christian tradition, Jesus, as traced through his lineage. Judah is also associated with Judah Maccabee, a 2nd-century BC Jewish priest who led a revolt against Seleucid rule, as recounted in the deuterocanonical Books of Maccabees.
Variants and Cultural Context
The name appears in the New Testament with the Greek forms Ioudas (transliterated as Judas in English) and Jude. In English Bibles, the Old Testament figure is generally rendered as Judah, while Judas is used for the apostle and betrayer of Jesus. The name remains popular among Jewish communities and is also used in various cultures, reflecting its deep religious and historical roots.
- Meaning: Praise (from Hebrew yaḏa)
- Origin: Hebrew
- Type: Biblical name, first name
- Usage Regions: Predominantly in Jewish and Christian traditions; also used globally