Patricia
Peaked at #3 nationally in 1937, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1884, Patricia has been recorded >99% of the time for girls and <1% of the time for boys.
Meaning & origin
Patricia is the feminine form of the Latin "Patricius," meaning "noble" or "of patrician (aristocratic) birth." It remained a rare name for centuries before surging in popularity in the early 20th century, boosted in part by Princess Patricia of Connaught, a British royal widely admired in Britain and Canada.
Notable people & culture
Novelist Patricia Highsmith, known for "The Talented Mr. Ripley," and actress Patricia Arquette are among its well-known bearers, and singer Patti Smith uses a shortened form as her stage name. Common nicknames include Pat, Patty, Tricia, and Trish.
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Patricia — Girls (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#3
in 1937
Current rank
#1302
in 2024
Years tracked
141
1884–2024
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1884, Patricia reached its peak popularity for girls in 1937, ranking #3 nationally with 26,838 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #739 (2014) to #1302 (2024) — a 43% drop.
As of 2024, Patricia ranks #1302 nationally for girls, with 177 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #1,302 | 177 |
| 2023 | #1,193 | 202 |
| 2022 | #1,114 | 222 |
| 2021 | #1,156 | 212 |
| 2020 | #1,116 | 217 |
| 2019 | #941 | 281 |
| 2018 | #900 | 299 |
| 2017 | #884 | 308 |
Patricia — Boys (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#475
in 1941
Last ranked
#13496
in 2006
Years tracked
85
1917–2006
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1917, Patricia reached its peak popularity for boys in 1941, ranking #475 nationally with 154 babies given the name that year.
Patricia hasn't appeared among the national top ranks for boys since 2006, when it stood at #13496.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | #13,496 | 5 |
| 2003 | #12,260 | 5 |
| 2000 | #11,690 | 5 |
| 1999 | #11,155 | 5 |
| 1998 | #9,330 | 6 |
| 1997 | #8,968 | 6 |
| 1996 | #6,949 | 8 |
| 1995 | #6,821 | 8 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — girls' names only.
Common Questions
When was Patricia most popular?
Patricia was most popular in 1937, when it ranked #3 nationally for girls — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Patricia becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently falling; for boys, it's currently falling, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Patricia?
At least 1,578,408 babies have been recorded with the name Patricia in the US since 1884, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like Patricia? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.