In the words of Cary Grant: “Judy, Judy, Judy.”

Plus, Judy, Judy and Judy.

Nearly 30 women named Judy gathered on Thursday to celebrate the fifth annual Punch at Judy's in west Lawrence. The Judys discussed everything from politics to Judy Garland at the meeting.

Nearly 30 Judys, to be exact. Most of them are about as sick of hearing the famous Grant line as tall people are of being asked whether they play basketball.

But after five years of meeting each April for Punch at Judy’s, these Judys haven’t tired of hobnobbing with new friends and old who share their name.

“We just really enjoy getting together,” said Judy L. Wright, who was host to this year’s gathering on Thursday at her Lawrence home.

The Judy Club began as a quirky notion between two friends named Judy as they ate lunch together five years ago. The baby boomers observed that so many women their age were named Judy.

“Wouldn’t it be funny if we had a gathering and just invited Judys?” Wright recalled asking.

Within five minutes, Wright and Judy Kurt had generated a list of eight acquaintances named Judy. They ended up sending 17 invitations to the first Punch at Judy’s; 13 Judys showed up. Through networking and meeting friends of friends, the founding Judys have expanded the event each year thereafter, with 49 invitations sent this year and about 30 Judys able to attend.

Although the women share a common name and were, for the most part, born between 1940 and 1960, they come from all walks of life. There are teacher Judys, business-owner Judys, artist Judys, pastor Judys and even retired Judys.

“It’s such a hoot to come because it’s just Judys,” Judy Desetti said, giggling. “It’s fun to meet them and find out what they do.”

And just what do Judys do when they get together?

First, they put on name tags. No, they don’t all say Judy. Last names help the women tell one another apart, though they somehow manage never to refer to each other by anything but Judy.

It’s all in the eye contact, they say.

Then, the Judys exchange what might be called Judy statistics: Are you a Judy or a Judith? How many people in your class were named Judy? Who are you named after?

It’s not often that almost an entire room full of women can say they were named after film star Judy Garland.

“Look what she symbolized to our generation,” said Judy R. Wright. “Our parents aspired for us to be these radiant females.”

And these females take their Judydom quite seriously. In fact, before Thursday evening, not a single non-Judy had ever entered the Punch-at-Judy’s portal. (The Journal-World reporter and photographer were forced to adopt honorary Judy titles while at the party.)

The women noted that area Janes had formed a club since the inception of the Judys a sign, Judy Kurt said, that the Judys are ahead of the curve.

“I commented to Judy and Judy how fun it is to be trendsetters at our age.”