Given name & surname
Judson
“flowing down”·“praised”·“one who praises God”
In English use, Judson is a short form of Jordan. One interpretation is “flowing down.” Judson is a variant of Judah. Interpretations include “praised” and “one who praises God” (Hebrew). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Meaning & origin
What it means
In English use, Judson is a short form of Jordan. One interpretation is “flowing down.” Judson is a variant of Judah. Interpretations include “praised” and “one who praises God” (Hebrew). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
In English use, Judson is a short form of Jordan. An origin associated with Jordan is Hebrew.
Explained through its name family
How it developed
In English usage, Judson is a short form of Jordan.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1880. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Judson through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 13,881
- 13,881 boys · 0 girls
- Most popular year
- 2023
- 282 babies
- 2025
- 252
- #934 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +9%
- Steady
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 252 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 934 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 9.3% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. In 2025, Texas had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (23). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 7,980 as a first name in 2020; 4,148 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Judson’s family of names
In English usage, Judson is a short form of Jordan. Judson has a related form in Judah.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 3
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
People named Judson
- Judson MillsAmerican actor (born 1969)
- Jud BuechlerAmerican basketball player (born 1968)
- Judson HarmonAmerican judge (1846-1927)
- Judson WallaceAmerican basketball playerborn 1982
- Judson LaipplyAmerican Internet personalityborn 1976
- Judson PrattAmerican actor (1916-2002)
- Judson PhilipsAmerican writer (1903–1989)
- Judson Dwight CollinsAmerican missionary1823–1852
- Judson WelliverAmerican speechwriter (1870-1943)
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Judson, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
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“the son of James”
99% boys · 1% girls
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>99% boys
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>99% boys