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Nicknames for Jude

Juddie
Judy

Meanings and history of the name Jude

The feminine name Jude arose as a shortened form of Judith in the 1600's in England. It was used in almost equal proportions for males and females until about the mid 1800's, when it started to lean male. It was a rarely used name for either gender up until the early 2000's, when it started to pick up for both genders, but especially for males, possibly due to the influence of Jude Law. Jude Law was actually born David Law, but decided to go by his middle name Jude to set himself apart in the early days of his acting career. Before he was well known, he was sometimes mistaken for a woman because of his name.

Judas Thaddeus is an apostle in the Bible. It was shortened to Jude by early English translators who wanted to distinguish him from the other apostle named Judas (Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Jesus). Most translations of the New Testament other than English and French refer to Judas and Jude by the same name.

Famous real-life people named Jude

Author Jude Devareaux
Maisy Jude Marion Stella, from music duo Lennon & Maisy
Sarah Jude Sutherland, Kiefer Sutherland's daughter
Jude Stewart (b. 2011), daughter of American television host and radio personality Alexis Stewart

Jude in song, story & screen

Jude, teen girl from "I'll Give You the Sun," a novel by Jandy Nelson.
Jude, the best friend character from Bridget Jones' Diary.
In the 1995 movie "The Last Supper," Cameron Diaz plays a character named Jude.
"Hey Jude" by the Beatles, though this refers to a boy named Julian.
Jude Harrison, the female main character of the Canadian teen drama, Instant Star, played by Alexz Johnson
Jude Deveraux, female author
Maisy Jude Marion Stella of the band Lennon & Maisy
Jude Hughes, female character in Colour Her Dead by Celia Rees