I’m taking the Fourth of July holiday off, but here’s a name that’s been on my mind lately: could Judy make a comeback?
Formal version Judith was once a Top Ten choice. Judy reached the Top 20 in the 1940s. Today the animated Judy Jetson makes her a futuristic retro pick, and Dame Judi Dench gives her some strength. And if Oona and Luna, Lucy and Tallulah are fashion-forward, her oo sound fits right in.
So what say you readers: Judy, Yea or Nay?
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Funny, Salome’s the name that’s been on my mind. Their images are often somewhat interchangeable.
I vote Maybe. Sure, it could make a comeback. So could Joyce and Linda, and Karen. I’m not quite ready for it though.
Another name it sounds like to me is Ruby.
Nice point about Ruby!
It’s not one I personally like. It is the name of my Mom-in-Laws sister. It probably will come back around though. It also makes me think of June – which is all fashionable again now.
Of course, June – one of the classes at Clio’s child center includes Quincy, Leo and Annie – surely, it is only a matter of time until we get a June!
I don’t think Judy’s quite ready for a comeback, but Jude is hot for boys. Maybe parents will look to Jude as a gender-bending nickname for their Judiths.
June and Jude, of course! Judith nn Jude for a girl is no more outlandish than Alexandra nn Alex or Charlotte nn Charlie.
Speaking of June, there’s also Juniper. And Juno.
I think it needs 20 more years. Maybe I’ll have a grand-daughter named Judy.
I think it could definitely come back! I adore Judith.
I think you’re right, Paul – Judith has more appeal that Judy.
I voted maybe, but only for family reasons. I was named after a Great-Aunt Julia, who called herself Judy. So if I was to follow family tradition, I should name a child Judy. However, since my German-speaking in-laws would pronounce Judy as “YOO-dee” it’s not going to happen.
For anyone else… I do love Judith, nicknamed Jude.
I perfer Judith.
Judy makes me think of three things: a) my aunt Judy (actually my mum’s cousin), b) the novel Daddy-Long-Legs, which features a Jerusha who nicknames herself Judy, and c) the 1940s musical A Date with Judy.
I knew a twenty-something Judith who went by Jude.
This was actually my name before I changed it…I think that gives you an idea on where I stand with this name. First of all, it’s kind of difficult to say, it always sounds a bit awkward. Secondly, for me it evokes a little 1950s teenager with cute hair and limited brain capacity.
As a hypothetical name, I actually don’t mind the name Judith that much. It sounds dignified, if not slightly formidable. But it’s not my name.
Fascinating, Bella, thanks! I know what you mean – there’s nothing wrong with my given name. For someone else.
Let’s not forget the great Judy Garland! Born Frances Ethel Gumm.
Ethel Gumm is not a name I’d wish on anyone.
How could I forget Judy Garland! Thanks, Julia. And dear me, Frances Ethel Gumm is … not pretty.
Well, it beats Ruby by a long shot. I love many of the “baby boomer” era names hence my use of Bonnie. So, yes, I do like Judy and would love to see it on a child.
I also support more use of similar June (and the oddball Juniper). June was going to be one of the middles for my most recent child (huge familial nod) but I sneaked in Juniper instead.
I also like Judith nicknamed Jude and have come across a few here in NZ.
The Judith nicknamed Jude I knew was from NZ!
I love Juniper!
I like Judy and Trudy, great retro nicknames.
Trudy would be a great nickname for Judith, and that way you’d avoid Gertrude …