What does Jude mean?
A form of Judah, from the Hebrew, “praised.” Saint Jude is patron of hopeless causes.
What does Abel mean?
From the Hebrew Hevel, usually read “breath” or “vapour.” Abel is the son of Adam in Genesis.
Jude vs Abel
Which is more popular?
Jude is more popular than Abel today: about 2,384 US babies were given the name Jude in 2025, compared with 1,525 named Abel.
| Jude | Abel | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Praised | Breath |
| Origin | Hebrew | Hebrew |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | JOOD | AY-bul |
| Syllables | 1 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1912 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 2015 (2,668) | 2015 (3,245) |
| In 2025 | 2,384 | 1,525 |
| Trend | Steady | Rising |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Jude
Abel
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Jude | Abel |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 14,212 | 10,674 |
| 2010s | 25,132 | 23,554 |
| 2000s | 9,351 | 8,364 |
| 1990s | 1,112 | 6,484 |
| 1980s | 868 | 4,730 |
| 1970s | 1,207 | 3,528 |
| 1960s | 945 | 2,665 |
| 1950s | 597 | 2,088 |
| 1940s | 293 | 1,225 |
| 1930s | 197 | 939 |
| 1920s | 41 | 881 |
| 1910s | 27 | 559 |
| 1900s | 0 | 121 |
| 1890s | 0 | 118 |
| 1880s | 0 | 107 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Jude or Abel more popular?
Jude is more popular than Abel today: about 2,384 US babies were given the name Jude in 2025, compared with 1,525 named Abel.
What is the difference between Jude and Abel?
Jude means Praised (Hebrew origin), while Abel means Breath (Hebrew origin).
Which name is older, Jude or Abel?
In US records, Jude first appears in 1912 and Abel in 1880, so Abel has the longer recorded history.