Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Patrick
BoyLatin, Irish· “nobleman”
- Meaning
- nobleman
- Origin
- Latin, Irish
- Pronunciation
- PAT-rihk
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #235
- US babies 2025
- 1,495
- Best rank
- #30 (1964)
- Peak year
- 1964
Meaning and origin of Patrick
Patrick is a Latin and Irish name that means “nobleman”.
Patrick comes from the Latin patricius, meaning "nobleman" or "member of the patrician class". Saint Patrick, a fifth-century Romano-British missionary who became the patron saint of Ireland, made the name central to Irish identity, though for many centuries Irish people considered it too sacred for everyday use. It became common in Ireland from the seventeenth century and later spread worldwide with the Irish diaspora. Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated in many countries. Patrick sounds friendly, classic and steady. Pat, Paddy and Rick are established nicknames, and Pádraig is the modern Irish form.
Popularity over time
Patrick has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #30 in 1964, the same year it reached its highest count of 14,692 babies. In 2025, 1,495 babies were named Patrick, and it ranked #235 nationally. That is 41% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #159 in 1920, #38 in 1950, #38 in 1980, #68 in 2000, #129 in 2010, and #235 in 2025. Of the 686,590 US boys named Patrick since records began, 18% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 111,408 babies. Since 2010, 35,413 more have been named Patrick.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Todd, Rodney, Martin, Darren, and Jon.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Patrick ranked highest in Alaska, District of Columbia, and Massachusetts.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | #63 | 12 |
| District of Columbia | #105 | 9 |
| Massachusetts | #114 | 64 |
| Maryland | #131 | 46 |
| Connecticut | #131 | 29 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Patrick is usually pronounced PAT-rihk, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with P and ends in “-ck”.
Middle names for Patrick
A few middle names that flow with Patrick: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Patrick
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Lists that include Patrick
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Patrick mean?
Patrick is a Latin and Irish name that means “nobleman”.
What is the origin of the name Patrick?
Patrick has Latin and Irish roots. Patrick comes from the Latin patricius, meaning "nobleman" or "member of the patrician class".
Is Patrick a popular name?
Yes. Patrick ranked #235 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Patrick a boy or girl name?
Patrick is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Patrick?
Patrick is usually pronounced PAT-rihk. 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