Find out how popular the last name Yehuda is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Yehuda.

Yehuda, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Yehuda surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yehuda in America

Yehuda is the 123064th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yehuda surname appeared 140 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Yehuda.

The history of the last name Yehuda

The surname Yehuda has its origins in the ancient region of Judah, which is now part of modern-day Israel. The name is derived from the Hebrew word Yehudah, which means "praised" or "thankful." This etymology dates back to the time when the Twelve Tribes of Israel established themselves in the region, making Yehuda a name of great historical and cultural significance.

In ancient texts, Yehuda is prominently mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Genesis, wherein Yehuda, a son of Jacob and Leah, is considered the progenitor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. This tribe settled in the area that later became known as the Kingdom of Judah. Over time, the name Yehuda was adopted as a surname, particularly among the Jewish populations who sought to maintain their ancestral link to the tribe and region.

The first recorded use of Yehuda as a surname dates back to medieval times. Manuscripts from Jewish communities in Spain and the broader Iberian Peninsula during the 11th and 12th centuries contain references to individuals with the surname Yehuda. The Jewish exile from Spain in 1492 further spread the surname across Europe and the Ottoman Empire.

One notable historical figure bearing the surname Yehuda was Yehuda HaLevi (1075–1141), a prominent Jewish philosopher and poet from Spain. His works, including the famous kuzari, are significant contributions to both Hebrew literature and Jewish thought. Another distinguished individual was Yehuda ben Shmuel of Regensburg (circa 1150–1217), a prominent rabbi and scholar in medieval Germany, known for his works on Jewish law and ethics.

During the 16th century, the surname Yehuda appears in records from the Ottoman Empire, such as in documents from the Jewish communities of Constantinople and Salonica. Notable figures include Yehuda Almosnino (1518–1580), a rabbi and author known for his ethical writings and sermons.

In the 18th century, the name Yehuda is found among Jewish communities in Eastern Europe, particularly in Poland and Lithuania. For instance, Rabbi Yehuda Leib of Ger (circa 1738–1810) was a prominent figure in the Hasidic movement and founded the Ger dynasty, which played a significant role in the spread of Hasidism in Eastern Europe.

The use of the surname Yehuda continued among Jewish families even as they migrated to various parts of the world, carrying their cultural and historical heritage with them. The name remains a link to their ancient past and an enduring reminder of their ancestral homeland.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yehuda

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Yehuda.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Yehuda was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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