Judy is a feminine given name of English origin. It is a diminutive form of the name Judith, which has Hebrew origins and means "praised." The name Judy was popular in the mid-20th century but has since become less common.
The name Judy first appeared in literature in the late 19th century, used by English author Thomas Hardy in his novel "Jude the Obscure." However, it did not gain widespread popularity until after World War II. In the United States, Judy was a top-50 girl's name from 1947 to 1963.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Judy. These include American singer and actress Judy Garland (born Frances Ethel Gumm), who rose to fame in the 1930s and 1940s; British actress and comedian Judy Dench; and American jazz singer Judy Garland (not to be confused with the aforementioned actress).
The name Judy has a rich history of popularity in the United States, with its usage fluctuating over time as reflected in the provided statistics. In the early years between 1929 and 1939, there was a consistent increase in the number of babies named Judy, reaching a peak of 43 births in 1940.
The name's popularity remained relatively high throughout the 1940s and 1950s, with at least 19 babies being named Judy each year. However, there was a gradual decline starting from the mid-1950s onwards. By the late 1960s and early 1970s, fewer than 20 babies were named Judy annually.
In the following decades, the usage of the name Judy continued to decrease significantly, with only single-digit numbers of births per year from the mid-1970s onwards. The lowest point in its popularity was reached between the late 1980s and early 1990s, with fewer than ten babies named Judy each year.
In total, over a span of nearly six decades (from 1929 to 1988), there were 1094 babies born in the United States who were named Judy. While its popularity has waned over time, the name Judy still holds historical significance and continues to be used occasionally today.