Judith is a feminine given name of Hebrew origin, meaning "woman of Judea" or "Jewish woman". It is derived from the Hebrew name Yehudit, which consists of yehudi (Judean) and it (woman). The name Judite is the Portuguese form of Judith.
The name Judith first appears in the deuterocanonical Book of Judith, where she is portrayed as a beautiful and intelligent widow who saves her people from destruction by seducing and then beheading the invading Assyrian general Holofernes. This story has made Judith a symbol of Jewish resistance against foreign oppression throughout history.
Judith was also the name of several prominent figures in Jewish history. One of the most notable is Judith of Bethulia, the heroine of the Book of Judith who saved her city from destruction by seducing and killing Holofernes. Another notable figure is Judith, a Jewish woman who was martyred along with her seven sons during the reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, as described in the apocryphal Second Book of Maccabees.
The name Judite has been used throughout history by various cultures and languages. In Portugal, for example, it is considered one of the most beautiful feminine names, ranking among the top 100 names given to girls born in that country. It is also a popular name in other Portuguese-speaking countries such as Brazil and Angola.
In literature, Judite has been used as a character's name by several authors, including José Saramago in his novel "The Gospel According to Jesus Christ" and Jorge Luis Borges in his short story "The Zahir". The name Judite also appears in the title of the Portuguese film "Judite", directed by Miguel Gomes.
Overall, the name Judite is a powerful and meaningful name with deep historical roots. Its origin and significance make it a fitting choice for parents looking for a name that celebrates Jewish heritage and strength.
Judite saw its debut as a baby girl's name in 1974 with five newborns sharing this unique title that year.