Meaning: Its source is Joseph, an English name meaning "The Lord's addition (to the family)."

Origin: "Joseph."

Narrative: Some authorities believe this name could be a variant form of the male name Jude or the female name Judith.

Meaning: Its source is Yehudith, a Hebrew name meaning "Jewish woman."

Origin: "Yehudith."

Nicknames: Jo

Alternative Spellings: Jodi

Variant Forms: Jodhi

Popularity: The name Jodie ranked 663rd in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

Though this name has fluctuated in use, it has been quietly present throughout the last century.

Narrative: Another possible meaning is ''He (God) will be praised.''

In the Book of Judith, an apocryphal (or unofficial) scriptural writing, the title character is a Jewish woman who risks her life to save her people.

Judith's village is on the road to Jerusalem. A gigantic Assyrian army under general Holofernes has beseiged it, and things are going poorly for the vilagers. Judith approaches the enemy camp and uses her beauty and charm to ingratiate herself with Holofernes. He invites her to a banquet, where he over-imbibes. She creeps up on the sleeping soldier, draws his sword, and cuts off his head.

Returning to her people, Judith encourages the garrison to make a sortie. The leaderless Assyrians flee before the attacking Jews, never to return in Judith's lifetime.