Hi Swistle,
We are in a baby naming predicament. I currently have 2 kids (a girl named Piper Jade and a boy named Milo Boyd and our last name is Richards). I am 22 weeks pregnant, Due December 18th, with my third baby (boy) and the name that my husband (Dan) and I can’t get out of our heads is Judah. Now if the first thought that comes to your mind when you read this is “Hey, isn’t that the guy that betrayed the savior?” Then you would be on the same page as 99% of our friends and family. My husband and I know that Judah is NOT Judas but because of this negative association I am hoping to find a backup name or at least some reassurance that our son will not forever be known as the betrayer of the Savor if we go with Judah. I would love your insight. What are your thoughts?
Thanks,
Shannon
It’s tricky. The name of the Savior-Betrayer is Judas, as you mention, and so Judah ought to be fine. But if a name strongly reminds us of another name, it can be difficult to use it, however unfair that is.
It’s interesting to me that your friends and family aren’t instead objecting to the association with the biblical Judah. Now there’s a guy with some scandal.
I think there are two routes you could go here. One is to stand your ground. The name Judah is rising quite quickly in popularity: according to the Social Security Administration, it hit the Top 1000 in 1997, and by 2014 had risen to #243. As a name becomes more common, it gets less surprising to hear it, and even strong associations begin to dim. I think it’s following Noah and Elijah and Ezra: those names used to be very unusual and super-biblical, but now they’ve been mainstreamed. While it’s still possible to use them in honor of their biblical characters, it’s even easier to use them without taking it into consideration.
Plus, the name you are considering is Judah, which IS IN FACT different than Judas. Your friends/family: “Like OUR SAVIOR’S BETRAYER??” You, with look of mild surprise: “No, no: JuDAH.” (Bonus points if you add “You know: the patrilinear ancestor of Jesus.”) (Cash money for a video of you saying conversationally to them: “I mean, he’s only the ancestor because his daughter-in-law dressed as a hooker so he’d have sex with her. But still! Ancestor high-five! Thank goodness he didn’t follow through with his plan to murder her while she was pregnant, amirite?”)
Will your child be forever associated with Judas the betrayer of Jesus? Short answer: no, of course not. IS your child Judas-the-betrayer? No. Would he even share a name with Judas? No. Will your family cling to this concept so vigorously that even decades down the line they will still be upset about it? Well, you know your family better than we do: WILL they? Is there any similar situation in the family you can look at—maybe another time there was an uproar over a baby’s name and the uproar either died down or it didn’t?
The other route is to accept it. To think of it as one of those situations many of us have, where there is a name we really want to use, and we can’t use it because it’s the name of someone we used to date and our spouse is still jealous, or the name of our new step-mother and using that name would hurt our mother, or the name of someone who became notorious after we fell for the name. Sometimes there’s theoretically no reason the name can’t be used anyway (“I liked that name LONG before I dated him! I don’t even THINK of him when I say that name!!”), but it just isn’t going to work. We and you may all agree that the name SHOULD BE fine, but that doesn’t mean it IS fine in the context of your particular circle. If you think friends and family will shudder every time they hear your child’s name, it may be in his own best interests as well as yours to choose something else.
For example, how about another stylish biblical name?
Abel
Abram
Barnaby
Cyrus
Elijah
Ezekiel
Ezra
Gabriel
Gideon
Isaac
Isaiah
Joel
Jonah
Levi
Reuben
Simon
Tobias
I especially like Simon: I think it’s great with Milo and Piper, and I like that all three first names would have long-I sounds. Perhaps you could use Jude as the middle name, and then all three would have four-letter middle names with a strong D sound!
You might not like any other name as much as you like the name Judah—but if you decide the name Judah is not usable for your family, the best choice may be your second-choice name.
FWIW, our pastors son is named Jude.. so I feel like thats a safe bet/very similar to Judah?
Judah immediately brings to mind the tribe of Israel Judah. It does not at all bring to mind Judas, Christ’s betrayer.
To me, Judah and Judas each have their own strong Biblical associations without any crossover.
Are you thinking of using a nickname? Like others have said, the name Judah is gaining in popularity. My friend named her child Judah, but most of the time refers to him as Jude. Not sure if that helps, but wanted to share that one example.
I think Judah is great and if you love it you should use it. One Biblical name I love is Asher, if you are looking for another.
If you love Judah, use it :) the associations aren’t striking (I don’t think). I DO love Simon with your sibling set as Swistle suggested.
Ditto to this. LOVE Simon here!
Also, the name Judah doesn’t necessarily scream biblical when you consider it next to Piper and Milo. Judah, Ruth, and Malachi would be a different story.
I feel like Judah is totally fine to use. Judah and Judas are two totally different people in the bible. If anyone brings it up, I think the whole “no, no I said JudAH. It’s from the Old Testament. Maybe you should brush up on your bible stories?” would work fine. If it counts, I totally didn’t even think of Judas when I hear the name Judah and I went to catholic school my whole life
i personally think Judah still works, so long as you and your husband are ok and know that you may have a few initial comments (like your friends) but once there is a sweet little babe with chubby little cheeks and a huge smile, I can guarantee their thoughts about this name will be completely changed. Here’s a question: if you and your husband both love the name but don’t use if for fear of what initial comments may be made, will either of you regret not using it?? I guess you have to outweigh your concerns about people’s associations vs. your potential regret of not using it.
My good friend, both her and her husband are extremely religious and her husband teaches at the bible college here in my city. THey named their son Judah and haven’t had a single issue or concern.
Secondly, you could name him Judah but call him Jude for short? I actually like Piper, Milo, and Jude go perfectly together.
My next suggestion was that of Swistle’s… Simon. I so love Simon. Our son (Oliver) was almost a Simon.
I also love love love Arlo (although, not sure about the same ending as Milo). If Arlo is too similar I do love Oliver!
What’s about Hugh?
Good luck and keep us posted!!
I’ve known two men named Judah; both were from religious Jewish families. The Judas link never occurred to me or came up, but I can see how in more evangelical circles it could be an issue. Maybe enough to lead me to let go of the name if that was the environment the child would be raised in. To me the bigger issue in your context is that I don’t feel like Judah “matches” Piper and Milo. At the same time I get irritated with myself for caring about stylistic matching because in the long run, siblings are individuals and it doesn’t matter. I think Judah is great with your surname.
What about Jonas or Judson/Judd? They both feel different but similar to Judah.
Judah reminds me much more of Jude than of Judas.
I think it is fine to use.
I think you’re fine and anyone who brings it up would be easily corrected.
But, if it bothers you, Swistle gave some great name suggestions. Simon and Isaac are two of my favorites.
Jude and Jade might be too similar if you went that route, if that matters at all. Just something I noticed.
I had no association with judas when I heard Judah. I think this is a fine name and over time this connection will go away.
Love it! Use it! Best of luck.
For what it’s worth, the Lion of Judah is another name for Jesus in the book of Revelation, soooo… Really the name is more strongly connected TO Jesus, not his betrayer.
I have zero association between Judah and Judas; they are two completely different names. I’m honestly not sure why your friends and family have such trouble grasping this concept. Regardless, I would still go with Judah or maybe Jude. I think both names are fantastic. If it’s still too close to Judas for your taste, I think Simon and Isaac are awesome suggestions!
I would never connect Judah with Judas. And remember, a nickname for Jesus himself is “Lion of Judah” — with the “Judah” part referring to the fact that he himself was from the tribe of Judah. As far as Judah the man having a number of skeleton-bones in his closet, don’t we all. There’s not one so-called hero of the BIble that isn’t clearly portrayed by the Bible itself as being just as much in need of a Savior as any of the rest of us; we’re all in the same boat! I think it’s a fine name!
Hmm. I definitely think it’s usable, but I also admit that the reason I decided against Jude for my second son was a) I felt like he would always have “hey Jude” sung to him, b) it rhymed with too many negative things….lewd, rude, crude, nude, pooed, and c) it was too close to Judas. However, I think all of my reasons are very silly. And you don’t have to worry about the first two. :)
I like Judah a lot, but Swistle gave some great alternatives. I actually feel that Jude fits a little better with your sibset! ;)
I’m just gonna put in a plug for Eli in the “stylish Biblical names” category :)
Honest feedback: I know one couple who named their son Jude, after the Beatles song. I know there are other Judes around, AND I am not religious. Still, it reminded me of Judas and so I wouldn’t personally use the name. Same with Judah.
What do you think of Bodhi?
Well, my first thought must be that your family must not be particularly observant if they don’t know the difference between Judah & Judas. In that case, I’m not sure it really matters one way or the other. FWIW, I haven’t been to church in over 30 years, but I could remember the difference.
My 2nd thought would be to just use Jude. Nobody gets “that dude from the Beatles song” confused with Judas! You could also consider Jude as a nickname for Judah. That way, if people can’t get over the (incorrect) association with Judas, as least you’d have a back up plan.
Judah was a finalist for me, but my husband never liked it. For him it had a very strong connection to the popular but long off air show Weeds. (If you watched the show and can’t remember…Judah is the father who died of a heart attack…before the show started)
I love boy names ending in vowels (you might too!) and also pushed for Jonah (a great biblical story! but husband thought too close to Jonas Brothers) and Theo. In general I like long vowel sounds and I had Simon on my lists, and I wonder if you’d like Silas? Also biblical, but I only know that from being a name freak as an adult, not from years and years of sunday school.
THAT’S why I kept associating Judah with Weeds! Thank you! I kept thinking it was the older son, but I knew his name was Silas…
Gee, maybe you’d consider Buddha instead? : ) In a more serious vein, I can see your fascination with how the sound of Judah complements Piper & Milo. But I can also see from your having chosen Piper & Milo that, up to now, Biblical names haven’t been your thing…..
I’d like to suggest Luca. It has the same rhythm and the same basic sounds as Judah, & so complements Piper & Milo in the same way, yet sidesteps all of the Judas/Judah issues. Reuben nearly does the same thing, and would be my first choice among other Biblical contenders. Or, I’d just go with Jude. Or Hugh.
A few far-flung ideas based on the sounds of Judah: Cuba, Dougal, Rudi, Gustaf. You can see how I arrived at Luca!
I am puzzled because I feel like anyone pious enough to care would know the difference :)
Using Jude though wouldn’t solve the problem because St. Jude’s name was Judas! He was Judas Thaddeus as opposed to judas iscariot – but again if you are religious enough to care then you probably already know that…
I like both Judah and Jude but I think Judah is cooler.
Like many people, I’d use if it’s the one you love. If you’d rather avoid the possible hassle, Jonah is a similar alternative and a favorite of mine.
Judah does remind me of Judas. That being said, they are completely different names, so if you love it, I say go for it! You may also like Josiah or Levi.
I know multiple people of varying ages named Judah, and I think it’s a great. It’s growing in popularity, but not too popular, and I personally love it. Use it!!
For what it’s worth… (and I realize this is definitely a “cheese stands alone” scenario) but I think of Charlton Heston from the 1959 movie Ben Hur, who was named Judah. Since this movie is over 50 years old, I assume absolutely no one else would think of it either (aside from a smattering of grandparents) but I think it’s an extremely flattering name.
I know an adult Judah and I asked him. He says he was never accidentally called Judas. He did say “Hey Jude” sometimes gets old.
One strike against Jude is he is the patron saint of Lost Causes, which would bother but I’m probably the only one. I usually don’t worry to much about name meanings too.
For me Jude is meh, Judah is good, SIMON is awesome.
My cousin named her boy judah, and they are always having to explain “from the bible, not Judas.” Also, in other cultures, like French, the last consonant is often not pronounced, so Judas and Judah are pronounced the same way. Personally, i would go with another name, like jude.
It occurred to me– everyone who is wondering how some friends and family members could associate Judah with Judas, but not recognize the name as belonging to a biblical patriarch in its own right– maybe the family members are Catholic…? I say that only because I know that traditionally, Catholics don’t really study the Old Testament. My mother, who had a strict Catholic education from kindergarten on through college, is incredibly fuzzy on all of the Old Testament characters and what they did. But of course she has instant name recognition of Judas (Iscariot).
Funny, I have two boys: Jude and Simon!
I also know of at least two Judahs: one a toddler and one a grown man. I’ve never gotten the names Judah and Judas confused. But you have to do whatever you think works best for you, Shannon! Clearly people in your life ARE getting the names mixed up.
Good luck making a decision!
I’m indifferent to Judah and think that there will be little confusion with Judas. But I love the suggestions of stylish Biblical names with long I sounds! Simon, Levi, Eli, Isaac, all great suggestions!
I’ve heard people mistakenly call my friend Jonah, “Jonas,” so I could potentially see the mistake with Judah/Judas. But I assume that would be rare.
I agree with the above votes for Eli, Isaac (nn Ike!), Simon, or Silas. My favorite for the sibset is Silas, because of the sounds (“i”) and it’s less of a style jump. Although, brothers Milo & Ike… pretty hip.
Like so many others, it never occurred to me to associate Judah with Judas.
That said, I prefer many of the suggestions made here with your other kids names. My favorite is probably Simon … Piper, Milo, and Simon. Silas was a close second choice for me though I don’t like it quite as much as Simon with your last name.
Eli is another suggestion that works great. Piper, Milo, and Eli …
My brother’s name is Judah…I can’t think of any misunderstandings about his name and Judas’. Most religious people say something like, “Oh, like in the Bible?” or “Oh, like Lion of Judah?”
I don’t think Judah sounds good with Piper and Milo both of them are so modern then bam overly biblical Judah. Jude would be a perfect fit with your children and not have any of the association issues that Judah/Judas has. It may be that in relation to your children’s names that Judah sounds so biblical causing people to react with the first similar biblical connection they can think of, which is Judas.
Just some background on me, purely to lend credence to my take on it: I grew up in a Christian home, my Dad was a pastor, and I am the 4th generation who attends my church–and I would not associate Judah with Judas! Judah brings to mind the tribe of Israel, and then also seems like a place name: the southern kingdom of Judah. I have 2 friends that named their kids Judah, and I love it! I believe one of them uses Jude as a nickname, which I also love. Another friend just used plain Jude–again, I love it.
I want you to use Judah (or even Jude), because I think it sounds great with your kids’ names, so I don’t want to sway you against it. But according to my Bible history, Judas is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Judah. So Judas Iscariot would actually have been called Judah in Bible times. But they are different versions of a name, and you wouldn’t necessarily have to share that info with others ;) I wouldn’t hesitate to use it! Good Luck!
I think Jude ‘fits’ better than Judah with your sibset.
Love the suggestions of Levi, Eli and Luca. Especially love Levi!
Would also like to suggest Asher, Joel and Seth.
Good luck!
Use Judah!
Having just spent a couple of years teaching the Old Testament to Kindergartners in Sunday School, Judah makes me think of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. I don’t associate the name with Judas.