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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Jude for a girl?

41 replies

Balonzette · 31/08/2021 11:01

In the real world, I only know little boy Judes. When I was a child I believe I knew a couple of female Judy/Judiths (friends of parents or neighbours), but none now.

On Mumsnet, I always see peoole say that they like Jude for a girl as opposed to a boy.

Is Jude for a girl a nickname for Judith (or a name that comes from Judith but is a name in it's own right)? I always thought Judith in the bible was a great namesake but don't think Judith is ready for a comeback.

What do you think of Jude for a girl? It's always been on my boy's list, but I'm wondering whether to shift it onto my girl's list.

Judy is sweet too, but I can't quite convince myself of Judith.

OP posts:
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Disneycharacter · 31/08/2021 11:55

It's a nickname for Judith. Never seen a girl with Jude, only boys

Cbeebiesrehab · 31/08/2021 12:02

I think she would get mistaken for a boy a lot.

FuckingFlumps · 31/08/2021 12:05

As above I've only know it as a nickname for people called Judith. I wouldn't call a little girl only Jude without the option for her to revert to Judith when she inevitably became sick of people assuming she was a boy.

Forestcantrun · 31/08/2021 12:06

I know two. One a full Jude, the other a Judith. Love it.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 31/08/2021 12:12

There are a couple of famous female Judes - Jude Kelly, who is awesome, and I think there's a Jude in Chumbawamba. But possibly both are officially Judith

SignOnTheWindow · 31/08/2021 12:20

I'm a female Jude, short for Judith. I love my name. No one mistakes me for a man as I'm only Jude to people who know me.

Original poster
Balonzette · 31/08/2021 13:06

What do you think about Judith being ready for a comeback?

OP posts:
FuckingFlumps · 31/08/2021 13:07

@Balonzette

What do you think about Judith being ready for a comeback?
Did it ever actually go away? I know several children called Judith, most of them go by Judy.
CointreauVersial · 31/08/2021 13:08

I know two Judes, both girls.

One in her late 40s, one 18. It's a nice name.

Original poster
Balonzette · 31/08/2021 13:21

I think it did go away. I'm a teacher and have never met any, or even heard of any 🤔 Could be a regional thing, I suppose.

Thank you for the replies! If you think it's nice, do you prefer it as Jude or full Judith? (I'm not one of those 'boy's names for girls' people, but I am just a bit confused about whether Jude is ALWAYS a nickname for Judith or can be just Jude).

I'm suddenly intrigued by, and a bit obsessed with, this name Grin

OP posts:
4545454nc · 31/08/2021 13:21

Jude more associated with boys, but could be a nickname for a girl (like e.g. Kit normally short for Christopher but could also be short for Katherine), just choose a suitable girls name for 'official' purpose so your DC doesn't spend their life having to explain.
Yes, Judith would work, or Julia

(ps don't like Judy, makes me think of Punch and...).

merrygorounds0 · 31/08/2021 13:23

How about Jade, OP?

FuckingFlumps · 31/08/2021 13:25

I think it did go away. I'm a teacher and have never met any, or even heard of any 🤔 Could be a regional thing, I suppose.

Am also a teacher and have come across quite a few Grin quite possibly could be a regional thing.

All the ones I've met have been Judith nickname Judy, Jude or in one instance JJ none have ever just been Jude, that's only ever been the child's full given name when the Jude in question was Male.

NotquitewhatImeant · 31/08/2021 13:25

I know two female Judes (both are just Jude’s, not short for anything). It’s a lovely name and actually I only know one male Jude.

Forestcantrun · 31/08/2021 16:10

I know quite a number of Judiths. I work with 5 for instance 🤣
It has definitely never gone away. The full Jude I know is 8

CorianderBee · 31/08/2021 19:34

I've only every known boys to be called Jude

PlainJane1000 · 31/08/2021 20:48

I know two females in their 40s called Judith nn Jude and two young boys called Jude. I think I would assume that a female Jude was actually called Judith.

DramaAlpaca · 31/08/2021 21:09

Jude is fine on a girl as a diminutive of Judith. I like Judith, it's an underused classic.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 31/08/2021 21:30

It's not my taste for boys or girls, sorry (dislike the sound). Plus Jude is becoming much trendier for boys (more of them about) - so chances are if you use it as her given name she might get annoyed at that. Judith is okay, just pretty dated - the ones I know are 50 plus (like Susan, Linda etc).

Firebird83 · 31/08/2021 21:48

Judith nn Jude would be great

HoldingTheDoor · 31/08/2021 21:51

I hate it on a boy but it's even worse on a girl.

HoldingTheDoor · 31/08/2021 21:53

I'd definitely use Judith on the BC. It's very much a male name to me.

oohthatrisottowasnice · 31/08/2021 21:58

I know 2 female Judiths who both use Jude professionally and personally, they are c50 ish. I know a male Jude also 50's and a 12yo.

wheresmymojo · 31/08/2021 22:05

Other than Jude Law who sadly I don't know in RL I only know one Jude and she's a she!

wheresmymojo · 31/08/2021 22:07

No idea if the one I know is really a Judith.