Thaddeus is a masculine given name derived from the Greek Thaddaios, a Hellenized form of the Aramaic name Ṯaddai. The Aramaic root is thought to mean "heart" or "breast", though some scholars suggest it may represent an Aramaic rendering of the Greek name Theodoros (see Theodore). Thaddeus is best known as the name of one of the twelve apostles in the Gospel of Matthew; in other New Testament passages, this apostle is called Jude, leading to the common identification of Thaddeus and Jude as the same person. Historically, the name was borne by several early Christian saints, including Thaddeus of Edessa (also known as Addai), who is venerated in Eastern and Oriental Orthodox traditions. Thaddeus remained a rare name in medieval Europe but experienced renewed use among English-speaking Christians after the Protestant Reformation, bolstered by biblical references. Usage In contemporary times, both Thaddeus and its diminutive Thad are used in the United States. As of the 1990 U.S. Census, Thaddeus ranked as the 611th most popular male name. Its recognisability increased following the character Thad on the animated series American Dragon: Jake Long. Outside English-speaking countries, the name appears in many local forms: German Thaddäus, Italian Taddeo, Polish Tadeusz, Lithuanian Tadas, Serbian Tadija, and Czech Tadeáš. Notable Bearers Thaddeus Stevens – a prominent American politician and abolitionist of the 19th century. Thaddeus Kościuszko – noted Polish-Lithuanian military engineer and leader in the American Revolutionary War. Saint Thaddeus of Edessa – early Christian missionary and saint. Cultural Significance Thaddeus often appears in religious art and literature. In Catholicism and the Armenian Apostolic Church, Saint Jude Thaddeus is commemorated on October 28 (Western) and in July (Eastern). The name has also been popular in Hispanic communities as a variant of Tadeo. While considered somewhat formal or old-fashioned by modern standards, Thaddeus retains a classic appeal partly because it begins with an uncommon consonant cluster that makes it distinctive.