"patrician, of noble birth"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Patrick
Pronunciation: [ p-ATR-ihk ]
Boy Name
#221 Most Popular
Steady
2 Syllables
Ireland's eternal patron — noble since Rome
Irish
English
Scottish
American
Classic
Traditional
Strong
Royal
Literary
Meaning & Origin
"noble Roman citizen"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
The Story of Patrick
Patrick derives from the Latin 'Patricius,' meaning 'of noble birth' or 'patrician' — the class of aristocratic Roman citizens. The name entered Irish culture through Saint Patrick (c. 385–461 AD), the Romano-British missionary who became the patron saint of Ireland. Born Maewyn Succat, he adopted the Latin name Patricius. His legendary evangelization of Ireland — including the famous shamrock explanation of the Trinity — made the name synonymous with Irish identity for over 1,500 years.
Patrick was the #1 name in Ireland for most of the 20th century. In the US, it peaked in the 1950s-60s alongside large Irish-American communities. Though less dominant now, it remains a top-200 name and enjoys particular popularity among families of Irish heritage.
Saint Patrick's Day (March 17) is one of the world's most celebrated national/religious holidays, observed in nearly every country with Irish diaspora. Patrick is deeply woven into Irish national identity — the shamrock, the color green, and the Celtic cross are all associated with St. Patrick's legacy.
Fun Facts
- St. Patrick's Day is celebrated in more countries than any other national saint's day
- St. Patrick was not actually Irish — he was Romano-British, likely from Wales
- Patrick Stewart, Patrick Mahomes, and Patrick Swayze all share this distinguished name
Patrick in Other Languages
Irish
Pádraig
Latin
Patricius
French
Patrice
German
Patrick
Italian
Patrizio
Spanish
Patricio
Scottish Gaelic
Pàdraig
Famous People Named Patrick
P
Patrick Mahomes
Athlete
1995
American football quarterback and multiple Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs
P
Patrick Stewart
Actor
1940
British actor celebrated for playing Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation
S
Saint Patrick
Religious
385
Romano-British missionary and patron saint of Ireland who brought Christianity to the island in the 5th century
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #221
- Total SSA Count
- 1,622
- Cultural Origins
- Irish English Scottish American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pat
Paddy
Rick
Patty
Pairs Well With
Patrick James
Patrick Michael
Patrick John
Patrick Joseph
Patrick Thomas
Patrick Henry
Patrick Gerard
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Patrick is also used as a girl name, ranked #70435.
View Patrick as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
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Frequently Asked Questions About Patrick
What does the name Patrick mean?
"patrician, of noble birth" (from Latin). "noble Roman citizen" (from Latin). Patrick derives from the Latin 'Patricius,' meaning 'of noble birth' or 'patrician' — the class of aristocratic Roman citizens. The name entered Irish culture through Saint Patrick (c. 385–461 AD), the Romano-British missionary who became the patron saint of Ireland. Born Maewyn Succat, he adopted the Latin name Patricius. His legendary evangelization of Ireland — including the famous shamrock explanation of the Trinity — made the name synonymous with Irish identity for over 1,500 years.
What is the origin of the name Patrick?
Patrick has Latin, Irish, English, Scottish, and American origins. In Latin, it means "patrician, of noble birth". In Latin, it means "noble Roman citizen".
Is Patrick a boy or girl name?
Patrick is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #221. As a girl name, it is ranked #70435. Patrick is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Patrick?
Patrick is pronounced p-ATR-ihk.
How popular is the name Patrick?
Patrick is currently ranked #221 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Patrick?
Common nicknames for Patrick include Pat, Paddy, Rick, and Patty.
What are good middle names for Patrick?
Popular middle name pairings include Patrick James, Patrick Michael, Patrick John, Patrick Joseph, Patrick Thomas, Patrick Henry, and Patrick Gerard.
What are good sibling names for Patrick?
Names that pair well with Patrick as siblings include Brigid, Siobhan, Colm, Finn, Maeve, Declan, Aoife, and Niall.
How many syllables does Patrick have?
Patrick has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Patrick a common or rare name?
Patrick is a popular name, ranked #221 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Patrick
Patrick is a boy name with Irish, English, Scottish, and American origins . The name means "patrician, of noble birth" in Latin .
Is Patrick a boy or girl name? Patrick is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #221 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #70,435. Patrick is more commonly used as a boy name.
Patrick is currently ranked #221 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Patrick has 2 syllables and is pronounced p-ATR-ihk, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Patrick include Pat, Paddy, Rick, and Patty. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Patrick include Patricio . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.