"Patrick's town, fighter's settlement"
Patton
Pronunciation: [ p-AT-uhn ]
A strong military surname with Old English estate roots
Meaning & Origin
"from the estate of the fighter"
Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with controversial WWII General George S. Patton, which carries both admiration and debate
The Story of Patton
Patton is an English and Scottish surname derived from either 'Padton' (Patrick's town) or 'Pate-tun' (fighter's estate), with the Old English 'tun' meaning enclosure or settlement. As a surname, it indicated someone from one of the several English villages with this name. Patton has crossed over as a given name, fitting the popular trend of using strong military surnames as first names.
Patton gained recognition as a given name largely through association with General George S. Patton Jr., the famous World War II commander. The 1970 film 'Patton,' which won the Academy Award for Best Picture, kept the name in cultural consciousness. It appeals to families who value history, military heritage, or simply the strong, no-nonsense sound.
General George S. Patton is an iconic figure in American military history, celebrated for his aggressive leadership in WWII campaigns in North Africa and Europe. The name carries connotations of toughness and determination for many American families.
Fun Facts
- The 1970 film 'Patton' won 7 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor for George C. Scott
- General George S. Patton was known for his colorful language and bold battlefield tactics in WWII
- Patton Oswalt, the comedian, has helped keep the name in pop culture consciousness
Patton in Other Languages
Famous People Named Patton
Patton Oswalt
Entertainer
1969
American stand-up comedian, actor, and author, known for his roles in King of Queens and Ratatouille
George S. Patton
Military
1885
US Army General known as 'Old Blood and Guts,' famous for his bold command during World War II campaigns
Patton (film character) Fictional
Military
George C. Scott's portrayal of General Patton in the 1970 Oscar-winning film 'Patton'
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,307
- Total SSA Count
- 61
- Cultural Origins
- American English Scottish Irish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Patton is also used as a girl name, ranked #19985.
View Patton as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Patton
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About the Name Patton
Patton is a boy name with American, English, Scottish, and Irish origins . The name means "Patrick's town, fighter's settlement" in Old English .
Is Patton a boy or girl name? Patton is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,307 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #19,985. Patton is more commonly used as a boy name.
Patton is currently ranked #2,307 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Patton has 2 syllables and is pronounced p-AT-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Patton include Pat and Patt. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.