What does Judd mean and where does it come from?
The name Judd is of English origin and likely derived from the Old French personal name 'Jod', which itself comes from the Hebrew name 'Yehudah' (יְהוּדָה), meaning 'praised'. It's often considered a short form of Jude. Judd has been used since the 19th century in English-speaking countries and rema
Cultural significance
Judd has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in American-speaking communities, where it reflects values of to flow down or to descend.
Peak popularity
Reached #651 in 1970 — currently #1704 in the US.
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Related Reading
American-origin baby names with timeless appeal
Browse names →How else can you spell Judd?
Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive
What middle names flow best with Judd?
Judd works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Judd Luke
One syllable · timeless choice
Judd Miles
One syllable · vintage charm
Judd Beau
One syllable · on the rise
Judd Brooks
One syllable · timeless choice
Judd Gael
One syllable · timeless choice
Judd Kai
One syllable · vintage charm
How popular is Judd right now?
Falling — down 292 spots — currently #1704 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
| Year | US Rank | Births | vs Prior Year |
|---|
| 2025 | #1704 | 96 | ▼ down 292 · -27% births |
| 2024 | #1412 | 132 | ▲ up 99 · +13% births |
| 2023 | #1511 | 117 | ▲ up 53 · +4% births |
| 2022 | #1564 | 113 | ▲ up 191 · +23% births |
| 2021 | #1755 | 92 | ▼ down 179 · -10% births |
| 2020 | #1576 | 102 | ▼ down 73 · -7% births |
| 2015 | #1503 | 110 | ▲ up 1513 · +189% births |
| 2010 | #3016 | 38 | ▼ down 1047 · -41% births |
| 2005 | #1969 | 64 | ▲ up 1182 · +137% births |
| 2000 | #3151 | 27 | ▼ down 1192 · -37% births |
| 1995 | #1959 | 43 | ▲ up 91 · +19% births |
| 1990 | #2050 | 36 | ▼ down 791 · -38% births |
| 1985 | #1259 | 58 | ▼ down 430 · -49% births |
| 1980 | #829 | 113 | ▼ down 105 · -14% births |
| 1975 | #724 | 131 | — |
The story of Judd
Judd has been a beloved American name for over 144 years, first appearing in Social Security records in 1880. With 5,193 total births recorded, Judd remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #996 in 1880, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #1511 in 2023.
Names that peaked alongside Judd in 1970:
Judd by decade
Judd peaked in the 1970s. See all 1970s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|
| 1880s | 15 | |
| 1900s | 8 | |
| 1910s | 81 | |
| 1920s | 160 | |
| 1930s | 178 | |
| 1940s | 302 | |
| 1950s | 413 | |
| 1960s | 535 | |
| 1970s ★ | 1,181 | |
| 1980s | 687 | |
| 1990s | 339 | |
| 2000s | 433 | |
| 2010s | 759 | |
| 2020s | 330 | |
💎With 5,193 total births, Judd is an uncommon but established name.
What are good nicknames for Judd?
What names sound and feel like Judd?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Judd also consider these
How is Judd written in other languages?
What are the girl versions of Judd?
Common questions about the name Judd
What does the name Judd mean?
Judd means "to flow down or to descend" — a name rooted in American tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.
How popular is the name Judd?
Judd is currently a distinctive and less common name as a boy name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Judd have increased significantly in recent years.
What is the cultural origin of Judd?
Judd originates from American tradition. American names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.
How do you pronounce the name Judd?
Judd is a one-syllable name pronounced JUHD. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.
How does Judd sound with different last names?
As a one-syllable name, Judd flows best with last names of two or three syllables. Avoid last names ending in the same sound as Judd ends, as this can create an unwanted rhyme. Test by saying the full name out loud several times.