Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Patricia
GirlLatin· “noble, patrician”
- Meaning
- noble, patrician
- Origin
- Latin
- Pronunciation
- puh-TRIH-shuh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #1,336
- US babies 2025
- 167
- Best rank
- #3 (1937)
- Peak year
- 1951
Meaning and origin of Patricia
Patricia is a Latin name that means “noble, patrician”.
Patricia is the feminine form of Patricius, the Latin word for a patrician, a member of the noble class of ancient Rome. The masculine form gave Ireland its patron saint, Patrick. Patricia came into common use in the English-speaking world in the late nineteenth century and was one of the most popular girls' names of the mid-twentieth century. It has a classic, dignified sound and a long list of nicknames: Pat, Patty, Patsy, Tricia, Trish and Tish. Today it reads as a timeless choice with room for many personalities.
Popularity over time
Patricia first appears in US Social Security records in 1884. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 134 different years, starting in 1886. Its best national rank was #3 in 1937, and the most babies received it in 1951, when 56,446 were named Patricia. In 2025, 167 babies were named Patricia, and it ranked #1,336 nationally. That is 52% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #104 in 1920, #3 in 1950, #51 in 1980, #226 in 2000, #617 in 2010, and #1,336 in 2025. Of the 1,573,623 US girls named Patricia since records began, 29% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1940s come next, with 411,412 babies. Since 2010, 4,931 more have been named Patricia.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Kathleen.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Patricia ranked highest in Minnesota, North Carolina, and Arizona.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | #814 | 6 |
| North Carolina | #960 | 10 |
| Arizona | #1007 | 6 |
| Virginia | #1013 | 7 |
| Ohio | #1109 | 8 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Patricia is usually pronounced puh-TRIH-shuh, with three syllables. It has eight letters, starts with P and ends in “-ia”.
Middle names for Patricia
A few middle names that flow with Patricia: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Patricia
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Lists that include Patricia
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Patricia mean?
Patricia is a Latin name that means “noble, patrician”.
What is the origin of the name Patricia?
Patricia has Latin roots. Patricia is the feminine form of Patricius, the Latin word for a patrician, a member of the noble class of ancient Rome.
Is Patricia a popular name?
Not especially. Patricia ranked #1,336 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Patricia a boy or girl name?
Patricia is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Patricia?
Patricia is usually pronounced puh-TRIH-shuh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings