Judy

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).