How to say it
PA · trick
ˈpæ.trɪk
Masculine
Patrick
Nobleman, patrician
What it means
From Latin patricius ('nobleman, of the patrician class'). Saint Patrick (5th century) was a Romano-British missionary who Christianized Ireland; his feast day is March 17.
Patrick comes from the Latin patricius ('nobleman, of the patrician class', Roman society's upper rank). Saint Patrick (c. 385-461) was a Romano-British boy captured by Irish raiders, sold into slavery in Ireland, who later escaped, became a priest, and returned as the missionary who Christianized Ireland. His feast day (March 17) is celebrated wherever Irish diaspora communities settled, most globally in the US, where it became a broader cultural holiday. The name was rare in Ireland for centuries (considered too sacred for ordinary use) and only became common as a first name in the 17th and 18th centuries. Pat is the standard short; Paddy is the Irish form.
How to spell Patrick
The standard spelling is Patrick. Common variants include Padraig, Patricio, Patrice, but Patrick is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #30 in 1964, currently #235 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Nickname
Pat is the standard US short; Paddy is the Irish form; Rick is rare.
- Pop culture
Saint Patrick's Day and the green-shamrock association are unavoidable; for many Irish-American families that's the point.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Saint Patrick 5th-century missionary who Christianized Ireland; March 17 is his feast day
- Patrick Stewart English actor, Picard in Star Trek and Professor X in X-Men
- Patrick Swayze American actor, Dirty Dancing and Ghost
Spelling variants
- Padraig
- Patricio
- Patrice
Names with the same feeling
See Patrick from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Patrick mean?
- From Latin patricius ('nobleman, of the patrician class'). Saint Patrick (5th century) was a Romano-British missionary who Christianized Ireland; his feast day is March 17.
- What does Patrick mean in Latin?
- In Latin, Patrick means "Nobleman, patrician." Patrick comes from the Latin patricius ('nobleman, of the patrician class', Roman society's upper rank). Saint Patrick (c. 385-461) was a Romano-British boy captured by Irish raiders, sold into slavery in Ireland, who later escaped, became a priest, and returned as the missionary who Christianized Ireland. His feast day (March 17) is celebrated wherever Irish diaspora communities settled, most globally in the US, where it became a broader cultural holiday. The name was rare in Ireland for centuries (considered too sacred for ordinary use) and only became common as a first name in the 17th and 18th centuries. Pat is the standard short; Paddy is the Irish form.
- How do you pronounce Patrick?
- Patrick is pronounced ˈpæ.trɪk. Say it as PA-trick, with the stress on the "pa" syllable.
- How do you spell Patrick?
- The standard spelling is Patrick. Common spelling variants include Padraig, Patricio, Patrice.
- Is Patrick a boy or girl name?
- Patrick is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Patrick?
- Patrick ranked #235 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.