What does Jude mean?
A form of Judah, from the Hebrew, “praised.” Saint Jude is patron of hopeless causes.
What does Simon mean?
From the Hebrew Shimʿon, “he has heard.” Simon Peter is chief among the apostles.
Jude vs Simon
Which is more popular?
Jude is more popular than Simon today: about 2,384 US babies were given the name Jude in 2025, compared with 1,529 named Simon.
| Jude | Simon | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Praised | He has heard |
| Origin | Hebrew | Hebrew |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | JOOD | SY-mun |
| Syllables | 1 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1912 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 2015 (2,668) | 2015 (1,645) |
| In 2025 | 2,384 | 1,529 |
| Trend | Steady | Steady |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Jude
Simon
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Jude | Simon |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 14,212 | 8,646 |
| 2010s | 25,132 | 14,880 |
| 2000s | 9,351 | 13,428 |
| 1990s | 1,112 | 7,514 |
| 1980s | 868 | 5,395 |
| 1970s | 1,207 | 3,574 |
| 1960s | 945 | 2,194 |
| 1950s | 597 | 2,120 |
| 1940s | 293 | 2,068 |
| 1930s | 197 | 2,124 |
| 1920s | 41 | 3,210 |
| 1910s | 27 | 2,780 |
| 1900s | 0 | 778 |
| 1890s | 0 | 731 |
| 1880s | 0 | 841 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Jude or Simon more popular?
Jude is more popular than Simon today: about 2,384 US babies were given the name Jude in 2025, compared with 1,529 named Simon.
What is the difference between Jude and Simon?
Jude means Praised (Hebrew origin), while Simon means He has heard (Hebrew origin).
Which name is older, Jude or Simon?
In US records, Jude first appears in 1912 and Simon in 1880, so Simon has the longer recorded history.