Fun Facts About the Name Thaddaeus
- More than 1 thousand babies named Thaddaeus: U.S. records list 1,045 babies given the name Thaddaeus from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Thaddaeus Mean?
Thaddaeus is best known as the Greek form Thaddaios (Θαδδαῖος) used in the New Testament for one of the twelve apostles, and the meaning behind it is not settled. The explanation most often cited traces the name to an Aramaic word taddā, "breast," which may have served as a byname suggesting a "man of heart" or, loosely, "courageous." Because the exact Aramaic source and the way it was formed are debated, some references record the meaning simply as uncertain.
A separate tradition connects the apostle's other name, Lebbaeus, to Hebrew lēv, "heart," which encouraged the idea that both names describe a person of heart or courage. That link is a customary interpretation rather than a demonstrated etymology, and the two names should not be assumed to share an origin.
Thaddaeus Name History & Origins
The name enters the written record in the New Testament. Thaddaeus is listed among the twelve apostles in the Gospel of Matthew (10:3) and the Gospel of Mark (3:18). In the corresponding lists in Luke and Acts, that place is taken by "Judas son of James," and Christian tradition has commonly identified the two figures, so the apostle is often called Jude or Judas Thaddaeus. Some Greek manuscripts of Matthew read Lebbaeus instead of Thaddaeus, and others combine the two as "Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus."
Greek Thaddaios passed into Latin as Thaddaeus and then into the languages of Christian Europe. English has settled mainly on the shorter spelling Thaddeus, while Thaddaeus keeps the form familiar from older Bible translations. Other long-established forms include Italian Taddeo, Spanish Tadeo, Polish Tadeusz, Czech Tadeáš, and Russian Faddey (Фаддей).
Devotion to the apostle carried the name through Christian communities. Tradition holds that he preached in Mesopotamia and Persia, and Armenian tradition counts him, along with Bartholomew, as an evangelist of Armenia. In the Western church his feast is observed on October 28, and he is traditionally invoked as a patron of desperate or lost causes.
How Popular is the Name Thaddaeus?
Thaddaeus has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2005. Its best rank was #2,271 in 1978.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #8,185 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2024 | #5,846 | 16 | 0.0009% |
| 2023 | #6,181 | 15 | 0.0009% |
| 2022 | #7,209 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 2021 | #4,608 | 22 | 0.0013% |
| 2020 | #4,682 | 21 | 0.0012% |
| 2019 | #6,370 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 2018 | #4,340 | 24 | 0.0013% |
| 2017 | #4,576 | 22 | 0.0012% |
| 2016 | #4,921 | 20 | 0.0011% |
| 2015 | #5,720 | 16 | 0.0008% |
| 2014 | #3,997 | 26 | 0.0014% |
| 2013 | #4,955 | 19 | 0.0010% |
| 2012 | #4,518 | 22 | 0.0012% |
| 2011 | #4,963 | 19 | 0.0010% |
| 2010 | #4,826 | 20 | 0.0010% |
| 2009 | #6,052 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 2008 | #3,732 | 29 | 0.0014% |
| 2007 | #4,782 | 20 | 0.0010% |
| 2006 | #5,051 | 18 | 0.0009% |
| 2005 | #3,444 | 29 | 0.0015% |
| 2004 | #4,119 | 22 | 0.0011% |
| 2003 | #5,020 | 16 | 0.0008% |
| 2002 | #3,440 | 26 | 0.0013% |
| 2001 | #3,220 | 28 | 0.0014% |
| 2000 | #3,749 | 22 | 0.0011% |
| 1999 | #4,514 | 16 | 0.0008% |
| 1998 | #3,587 | 21 | 0.0011% |
| 1997 | #3,442 | 21 | 0.0011% |
| 1996 | #3,099 | 24 | 0.0013% |
| 1995 | #3,542 | 19 | 0.0010% |
| 1994 | #3,202 | 22 | 0.0011% |
| 1993 | #3,133 | 22 | 0.0011% |
| 1992 | #3,737 | 17 | 0.0009% |
| 1991 | #2,977 | 22 | 0.0011% |
| 1990 | #3,587 | 17 | 0.0008% |
| 1989 | #2,605 | 25 | 0.0012% |
| 1988 | #3,513 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 1987 | #3,059 | 17 | 0.0009% |
| 1986 | #3,427 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 1985 | #2,289 | 24 | 0.0013% |
| 1984 | #2,357 | 22 | 0.0012% |
| 1983 | #4,458 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1982 | #2,962 | 16 | 0.0009% |
| 1981 | #3,015 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 1980 | #2,607 | 19 | 0.0011% |
| 1979 | #3,336 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 1978 | #2,271 | 21 | 0.0013% |
| 1977 | #3,029 | 14 | 0.0009% |
| 1976 | #3,077 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 1975 | #3,063 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 1974 | #2,661 | 15 | 0.0010% |
| 1973 | #3,195 | 11 | 0.0007% |
| 1972 | #3,586 | 9 | 0.0006% |
| 1971 | #3,933 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1970 | #3,493 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1969 | #3,909 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1948 | #3,628 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1924 | #4,300 | 6 | 0.0005% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Thaddaeus Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You like to control everyone within your influence, to shape things to your own liking. If positive, you develop high spirituality, as you have a God's protection. You are sensitive, affectionate, imaginative and cooperative, spiritually aware and prone to self-sacrifice. You can keep secrets and are a good diplomat. You may have healing and psychic powers. You are bold, independent, inquisitive and interested in research. You know what you want and why you want it.
You are always looking for an opportunity to achieve financial and emotional security. You are basically peacemaker. You understand the law of harmony and desire to balance your life with those around you. You may feel incomplete without someone to share your love, ideals, wealth or work. You can be very sensitive and could appear a bit shy and perceptive. You have developed intuition, patience and the ability to nurture others. You can achieve the state of happiness if you are willing to accept your needs in a complimentary relationship and go to create them.
✦ Thaddaeus's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Thaddaeus's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.