Judas Name Meaning & Details
Origin, Popularity, Numerology Analysis & Name Meaning of Judas
Discover the origin, meaning, and cultural significance of the name JUDAS. Delve into its historical roots and explore the lasting impact it has had on communities and traditions.
Name
Judas
Gender
Male
Origin
Hebrew
Lucky Number
1
Meaning of the Name
Judas is a male Hebrew name meaning 'praised' or 'celebrated.' It originally conveyed honor and admiration before becoming associated with betrayal in Christian tradition.
Complete Numerology Analysis
Your Numerology Number
Based on Pythagorean Numerology System
Ruling Planet
Sun
Positive Nature
Leaders, ambitious, highly driven, self-reliant, innovative.
Negative Traits
Overly aggressive, domineering, impatient, selfish.
Lucky Colours
Red, orange, gold.
Lucky Days
Sunday.
Lucky Stones
Ruby, garnet.
Harmony Numbers
2, 3, 9.
Best Suited Professions
Entrepreneurs, managers, engineers.
What People Like About You
Courage, determination, leadership.
Famous People Named Judas
Judas Iscariot
Biblical Figure
One of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus, infamous for his betrayal of Jesus for thirty pieces of silver
Judas Maccabeus
Jewish Priest and Military Leader
Led the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire and rededicated the Second Temple in Jerusalem
Judas Thomas
Biblical Figure
Also known as Didymus, one of the Twelve Apostles, traditionally believed to have evangelized in India
Judas Barsabbas
Early Christian Leader
Early Christian prophet and leader mentioned in Acts of the Apostles as a companion of Paul and Barnabas
Name Variations & International Equivalents
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Cultural & Historical Significance
However, the name's cultural perception was dramatically transformed by Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus in the New Testament. This single event created one of history's most powerful name stigmas, turning 'Judas' into a byword for treachery and betrayal across Western culture. The name became so tainted that most Christians adopted variations like Jude or Judah instead. This duality makes Judas unique—a name that simultaneously represents both foundational religious leadership and ultimate betrayal, creating a complex cultural legacy that continues to influence naming practices and literary symbolism to this day.
Extended Personality Analysis
Individuals named Judas are often perceived as complex, intense personalities with strong leadership qualities and deep convictions. The name's Hebrew meaning of 'praised' suggests someone who may naturally command respect and admiration, potentially possessing charisma, intelligence, and the ability to influence others. Historically, figures like Judas Maccabeus demonstrate the name's association with courageous leadership, strategic thinking, and unwavering dedication to causes they believe in. These traits suggest a person of principle who can inspire loyalty and follow through on ambitious goals.
However, the name's association with betrayal also colors personality perceptions, suggesting potential for complexity, internal conflict, or difficult moral choices. This doesn't imply treachery but rather indicates someone who may face significant ethical dilemmas or make controversial decisions. The name carries an expectation of depth and intensity—someone who feels things profoundly and may operate outside conventional boundaries. This combination creates a personality profile of someone both admired and potentially misunderstood, capable of great loyalty but also facing profound moral tests that could lead to either heroic sacrifice or tragic failure.
Modern Usage & Popularity
In contemporary times, the name Judas remains extremely rare as a given name in most Western cultures due to its strong association with betrayal. While the Hebrew original Yehuda and English variations Judah and Jude have seen moderate usage, particularly in Jewish communities, 'Judas' itself is almost exclusively avoided. The name appears occasionally in artistic and literary contexts where parents seek to make a bold statement or reclaim the name's original positive meaning. In recent years, there has been minimal statistical usage in birth records across English-speaking countries, with the name appearing more frequently in historical fiction, theological discussions, and as a surname than as a first name. The stigma remains powerful enough that even in secular contexts, the name carries heavy cultural baggage that most parents choose to avoid.
Symbolic & Spiritual Meanings
Symbolically, Judas represents the ultimate paradox of betrayal and redemption, serving as a powerful metaphor for the complexity of human morality. The name symbolizes the tension between loyalty and treachery, raising profound questions about fate, free will, and the nature of sacrifice. In theological symbolism, Judas embodies the necessary agent of destiny—the one whose betrayal was essential for Christian salvation to occur, making him simultaneously villain and unwitting instrument of divine will. The thirty pieces of silver he received have become universal symbols of misplaced values and the cost of compromising principles. Judas also symbolizes the loneliness of being eternally condemned in cultural memory, representing how a single action can define an entire legacy. This rich symbolic tapestry makes Judas one of Western culture's most potent archetypes, continually reinterpreted in literature, psychology, and philosophy as humanity grapples with questions of morality, forgiveness, and the weight of historical judgment.