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Original poster

Is the baby name Judith becoming popular again in the UK?

102 replies

NigellaDelia · 28/03/2026 08:47

I have seen the name Judith suggested quite a few times recently which has really surprised me as the only Judith's I know are over the age of 50 and two are in their 70's.

Is this name beginning to trend? I have a DF called Judy (not Judith!) and she hoped the name would come back when the film about Judy Garland was released in 2019 but this didn't happen

I'm just intrigued as to why this name is so often suggested as, in the past, there have been some quite negative things said about this name choice

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mathanxiety · 25/04/2026 22:09

booksunderthebed · 29/03/2026 23:08

I wouldn't consider Judith a Jewish/Israeli type of name. I would think names such as Ayelet, Lior or Yehudit, Elisheva, Shmuel (rather than Judith, Elizabeth or Samuel) are obviously Jewish or Israeli.

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The name means 'Jewish woman/ woman of Judea'. I don't think you can get more culturally Jewish than that.

The Judith of the OT beheaded the Assyrian Holofernes and saved the Israelites.

I'd place the name among well-known OT classics like Deborah, Ruth, Naomi, Rebecca, Miriam, Leah, Sarah, and Rachel.

The names Judith, Deborah, Rebecca, Sarah, and Rachel in particular enjoyed a moment of vogue in the 60s and 70s. Ruth, Naomi, Leah, and Miriam were less popular.

mathanxiety · 25/04/2026 21:53

PatriciaRocks · 29/03/2026 08:41

Judy Garland? Wasn't her real name Ethel?
Anyway. Fashions change.

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She was known universally by her stage name of Judy (and posters are referring to a recent biopic).

Whiskeyandkittens · 25/04/2026 20:27

Namechangeoften · 01/04/2026 11:54

Were you at school in the Wye Valley by any chance?

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No, there must be two (unless she moved!)

Bells3032 · 08/04/2026 08:38

Must be more common in Jewish circles. I know 5 Judiths who are all in their 30s......No baby Judiths though

peaceinourtime · 07/04/2026 15:54

The youngest Judith I know is in her late thirties. She goes by the whole name but occasionally informally just Jude

Firebird83 · 05/04/2026 20:42

Edith and Jude are popular, so Judith could make a comeback.

Marcipex · 05/04/2026 00:12

I can just about bear Judy, but Judith is dire.
Dated and dismal.

seriousandloyal · 02/04/2026 08:22

A good strong name, I like it. I also like Tanith.

finestmushroom · 02/04/2026 08:17

Yeah I hope not. I cant stand it - it reminds me of some disapproving old lady. T

Amiacoolorwarmcolour · 02/04/2026 08:16

I like Judy, definitely due a come back.

Namechangeoften · 01/04/2026 11:54

Whiskeyandkittens · 30/03/2026 00:28

I'm 47 and there was a Judith in my year at school, she's the youngest one I've ever met!
I don't think it's a bad name.

Were you at school in the Wye Valley by any chance?

Snoopypie · 31/03/2026 23:01

IamJudithtoo · 31/03/2026 21:46

@Snoopypieglad I’m not the only one!

😂😂😂😂

HeathenPlayingHouse · 31/03/2026 22:30

It’s a nice name, I don’t know any younger people with that name but I do have a good friend who is around 60ish.

I may have just missed it reading the thread, but I haven’t seen anyone mention yet- if the name Judith has had a resurgence in recent years, it may be due to the tv show The Walking Dead, where the main character’s daughter was given the name by her older brother.

IamJudithtoo · 31/03/2026 21:46

@Snoopypieglad I’m not the only one!

Snoopypie · 31/03/2026 21:06

IamJudithtoo · 31/03/2026 14:18

@IAmJudithHi, I’m also a Judith, mostly known as Judy or Jude. I’ve never seen a thread on my name before!

I’m in my late forties and only ever met one other person my age named Judy. My friend’s mum is also a Judy. I was named after my Grandfather who died shortly before I was born - his Hebrew name was Judah. Bizarrely, my mum (his daughter), had also had a dog called Judy when she was younger, so my brothers found that hilarious!

Hi @IamJudithtoo, I’m sister to a Judith in her mid fifties and our dad also had a dog called Judy growing up, but our mum had always loved that name and was determined to name her first daughter Judith.
My sister goes by Jude.

CruCru · 31/03/2026 14:54

I think Judith is far more timeless than Judy. Judy was fashionable at one point (well before I was born) but is now quite dated.

IamJudithtoo · 31/03/2026 14:18

@IAmJudithHi, I’m also a Judith, mostly known as Judy or Jude. I’ve never seen a thread on my name before!

I’m in my late forties and only ever met one other person my age named Judy. My friend’s mum is also a Judy. I was named after my Grandfather who died shortly before I was born - his Hebrew name was Judah. Bizarrely, my mum (his daughter), had also had a dog called Judy when she was younger, so my brothers found that hilarious!

NamingNoNames · 31/03/2026 10:20

zurigo · 31/03/2026 10:16

I only know one Judith and she's in her 80s. I know a couple of boys named Jude though and I suspect the popularity of that is thanks to Jude Law.

and Jude Bellingham.

zurigo · 31/03/2026 10:16

I only know one Judith and she's in her 80s. I know a couple of boys named Jude though and I suspect the popularity of that is thanks to Jude Law.

NamingNoNames · 31/03/2026 10:13

oviraptor21 · 31/03/2026 08:28

Our experiences obviously differ!
All my mum's friends seemed to be called Valerie or Margaret - she had at least four Valerie/Valerie friends. No Valeries or Margarets in any of my schools. To be honest Judith wasn't that popular - I can only think of one. Loads of Susans, Sarahs, Tracys etc. And I do agree with most of the other names you mention.

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It depends on the age of your mother surely.

oviraptor21 · 31/03/2026 08:28

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 30/03/2026 08:49

I don't know where you get the idea that Valerie, Margaret and Rosemary are 80-something names. I am 64 and while these names were not common amongst my peers, they were certainly not uncommon. At my school there were not many Judiths but there were one or two, as with the three above. There were a few more Janets, Karens and Sharons, but we had all the classics as well - Elizabeth, Katherine (various spellings), Charlotte, Susan, Jane, Caroline, Rebecca and so on.

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Our experiences obviously differ!
All my mum's friends seemed to be called Valerie or Margaret - she had at least four Valerie/Valerie friends. No Valeries or Margarets in any of my schools. To be honest Judith wasn't that popular - I can only think of one. Loads of Susans, Sarahs, Tracys etc. And I do agree with most of the other names you mention.

Zennia · 31/03/2026 05:26

I know a 30 year old Judith. I think it's still a used name in more religious communities. It's also a top 100 name in France.

IAmJudith · 30/03/2026 20:04

Anouken · 30/03/2026 19:07

Judy was a popular name for modern hip girls in the 1960s. Judith has always been a prim and proper name, likened to nuns. I know a horrible mad Judith late fifties so would never wish this name on any girl.

Gee thanks Grin

Anouken · 30/03/2026 19:07

Judy was a popular name for modern hip girls in the 1960s. Judith has always been a prim and proper name, likened to nuns. I know a horrible mad Judith late fifties so would never wish this name on any girl.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 30/03/2026 11:23

Yes, I knew what she meant. They certainly weren't common names given to babies born in the 1980s.

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