Everything about the name JUDITH
Meaning, origin, history
Judith's story is set during the Babylonian captivity of the Israelites. The city of Bethulia is under siege by Holofernes, the commander of Nebuchadnezzar's army. The people of Bethulia are running out of water and food, and they beg their leader, Ozias, to surrender. Ozias refuses but promises to hand over the city if relief does not arrive within five days.
Judith, a widow who is known for her beauty and wisdom, decides to take matters into her own hands. She cuts off her hair, puts on men's clothes, and sets out towards the Assyrian camp with one of her maidservants. She tells the Assyrian guards that she has information about betraying Bethulia, and they allow her inside.
Holofernes is intrigued by Judith's beauty and invites her to his tent for dinner. Judith brings along a flask of wine as a gift. After the meal, Holofernes becomes drunk on the wine and passes out. Judith takes this opportunity to cut off his head with his own sword and bring it back to Bethulia in her maidservant's bag.
When the Assyrians see that their commander is dead, they flee from Bethulia in terror. The Israelites are saved, thanks to Judith's bravery and cunning.
The name Judith has been popular throughout history and continues to be used today. It was particularly common among Jews during the Middle Ages but has since been adopted by other cultures as well. Some famous figures named Judith include Judith Butler, an American philosopher and gender theorist, and Judith Light, an American actress known for her roles on television.
In conclusion, Judith is a name of Hebrew origin that means "praise" or "to praise." It is associated with the heroic figure of Judith in the Old Testament, who saved her people from annihilation during the Babylonian captivity. The name has been popular throughout history and continues to be used today by many cultures around the world.
See also
Popularity of the name JUDITH since 1880
Birth evolution
Popularity analysis
The name Judith has seen a significant rise and fall in popularity over the past century in the United States. In the late 19th century, the number of newborn girls named Judith ranged from a low of 5 births in 1880 to a high of 22 births in 1890. The first decade of the 20th century saw a steady increase in popularity, with the number of births reaching 370 in 1920.
The period between 1932 and 1945 marked a significant peak for the name Judith, with the number of births increasing exponentially from 1,433 in 1932 to a staggering 25,214 in 1943. This period of popularity can likely be attributed to the influence of popular culture at the time.
However, after World War II, the popularity of the name Judith began to decline. By the late 1960s and early 1970s, the number of newborn girls named Judith had dropped significantly, with only 893 births in 1974. The next few decades saw fluctuations in popularity, but overall, the name Judith remained relatively uncommon.
In recent years, however, there has been a slight resurgence in the popularity of the name Judith. In 2022, for example, there were 316 newborn girls named Judith in the United States, which is a significant increase from the low of just 252 births in 2013.
Overall, while the name Judith has seen its ups and downs in popularity over the past century, it remains a classic and timeless choice for parents looking to give their daughter a unique and meaningful name.