Yodit first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Yodit has been for the last 14 years (from 1983 to 1996) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Yodit

Meaning "praise", a feminine name of Hebrew/Amharic origin.

Popularity of Yodit by gender

Based on the last 14 years of data, Yodit is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1996, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Yodit.

Year Male Count Female Count
1996 0 5
1995 0 5
1993 0 6
1992 0 5
1991 0 6
1988 0 9
1983 0 5

The history of the first name Yodit

The given name Yodit has its origins in the ancient Ge'ez language, which was the liturgical language of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. It is derived from the root word "ዮድ" (yod), which means "to testify" or "to bear witness." The name Yodit is believed to have been in use since the early centuries of Christianity in Ethiopia.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Yodit comes from the Kebra Nagast, a 14th-century literary work that chronicles the alleged lineage of the Solomonic dynasty in Ethiopia. In the text, Yodit is mentioned as the name of a legendary Queen of Ethiopia, who is said to have ruled during the 10th century BCE. According to the story, Queen Yodit played a pivotal role in the transfer of the Ark of the Covenant from Jerusalem to Ethiopia.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Yodit. One of the most famous was Yodit Gudit (fl. 960–980 CE), an Ethiopian queen who is remembered for her military campaigns and her efforts to revive the ancient Aksumite Empire. Another notable bearer of the name was Yodit Wolde Giorgis (1924–2018), an Ethiopian writer and feminist activist who played a significant role in promoting women's rights and education in her country.

Other historical figures with the name Yodit include Yodit Haile Mariam (1905–1988), an Ethiopian princess and member of the Solomonic dynasty, and Yodit Getachew (1936–2018), an Ethiopian actress and singer who was a prominent figure in the country's performing arts scene during the 20th century.

In the realm of religion, Yodit has been the name of several notable figures, including Yodit Woldu (1915–2008), an Ethiopian nun and spiritual leader who founded the Qwaran Monastery and played a significant role in the preservation of Ethiopian Orthodox traditions.

While the name Yodit has its roots in the Ge'ez language and Ethiopian culture, it has also been adopted by individuals of various backgrounds and ethnicities around the world, reflecting its enduring appeal and rich historical significance.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Yodit was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Yodit, please contact us.

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"Yodit first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 3, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/yodit-meaning-and-history/.

"Yodit first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/yodit-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 3 May, 2025

Yodit first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/yodit-meaning-and-history/.

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