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

[NigellaDelia]

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

Judith is a great name. Everyone knows how to spell it and pronounce it.

I also like Margaret and Rosemary (of the names you mentioned). All are due a revival.

Judith is a lovely strong name. I think these kind of classic strong names will come back in as a contrast to the current ditzy names fashion for girls like Maisie, Daisy, Lottie, Dottie, Poppy, Mitzi, Missy etc.

Judith might have a resurgence because it’s the name of one of the child characters in Hamnet

It will be very interesting to see if this happens! I mentioned earlier in the thread that the film "Judy" didn't cause a resurgence so maybe Hamnet will throw a spotlight on Judith

Didn't realize Judi Dench was a Judith. I don't mind it shortened to Judi but Judith feels a bit frumpy still. Quite like Jody.

Judith beheaded someone in the Bible. I only know this because it was mentioned in an Agatha Christie book - Hastings had a daughter called Judith and his other daughter was Grace. I really like it although I think it goes more with Deborah and Jillian.

Jody I would put with Cody and Kady. Not really a classic like Judith.

What is the connection between Judith and the situation in the ME?

Well she cut off the head of an Assyrian General and saved Jerusalem. Quite a lass.

As you say, parents like positive vibes for their child names. That’s why the Judy Garland film, depicting her utterly grim, adultified, drug-addled life, did not inspire new Judiths.

It does have not being an ‘a’ or ‘ie’ name going for it.

I'm not sure the film you mean, would modern parents have seen it? The fashion in names is a bit cyclical. Things come round again.

It’s the one the OP has mentioned. She wondered why it hadn’t inspired baby Judiths. If you’d seen the film, the reason’s obvious; controlled, filled with drugs, miserable, dead at 48.

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

I never think of Judy Garland in connection with the name Judith. She wasn't a Judith. Her given name was Frances Ethel Gumm. Judy Garland was a stage name.

Thanks - I had forgotten her real name! No, I doubt parents now will be swayed by that.

Goodness ~ I'll be honest and say that I never saw the film! That explains a lot! And my DF (Judith/Judy) never saw it too. Thanks for the info

Although, if some people have seen it, it would apply to the name Judy, as she was never a Judith.

Odd, isn't it, how short names and long names can evoke quite different associations. I think of Judy, Jude, Judi and Judith as quite distinct names. The most positive association I have with Judith is Judith Kerr, who wrote and illustrated The Tiger Who Came To Tea (my son's favourite book when tiny), the Mog books and When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit and its sequels, which are marvellous. A wonderful woman.

Name change for this! I'm a Judith, in my late 50s and I've always loved my name. It's strong and in the Book of Judith (Catholic, so it was in our Bible) she beheaded the general Holofernes and freed the Jewish people so she was a bit of heroine too.

I'm not a "frumpy, old-lady" (whatever that means) nor am I an absolute twat (I hope). It was never a common name even when I was growing up. I think it's always been more popular in the US.

I'm known by nearly everyone as Jude, I've never been a Judy. It's funny to read such strong opinions about something as tied to your identity as your name.

I'd love to see some baby Judiths.

My mother is called Judith. She said my grandma thought she was being really original and unique when she was born in the 1950s, but when she got to school there were five other Judith's!

I thought it was the dowdiest most embarrassing name when I was a teenager but now I like it and I would love to meet a baby Judith.

How interesting, a strong name, a strong woman in the Bible. 💪
It's funny how ditzy names seem to have become more fashionable for girls, but they may be on the wane. There is no such thing as a "frumpy" name (I hate that word), nor "old lady". When I was growing up, old ladies were called Elsie, Emily, Florence and Beatrice, all of which I have come across in classes recently, so they're now popular names for teenagers.

@Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g , It's a bit like if someone used Cameron as a girl's name and pronounced it Caymeeronne. You'd probably be thinking 'It's a boy's name and that's not how you say it.'

@PatriciaRocks , When I was growing up, old ladies were called Elsie, Emily, Florence... We thought they were awful! They've come back.

Absolutely! I never would have imagined I'd be teaching about 8 boys called Alfie and 10 girls called Emily!

Yes, it amuses me. I've mentioned before that I was at the health centre a few years back and the indicator started flashing a name something like Arthur Braithwaite. I automatically glanced round for the very old man I assumed was being summoned, only to see a young woman getting up with her baby son.

Cute! I've come across young boys called Stanley, and one called Ken, which I think is sweet.