The first name Patrick
A boy’s name from Latin meaning “patrician”.
Pronounced /ˈpætɹɪk/ 2 syllables Male Also a surname
Meaning and origin
Latin origin
Patrick means “patrician” in Latin.
From Middle English Patrick, from Latin Patricius (“patrician”), the name of an early Irish saint. Doublet of Paddy.
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 375 boys were named Patrick, making it the 134th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 1996, with 1,039 births (#66).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Patrick with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Patrick at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 1,495 boys born in the United States were named Patrick, the 235th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1964, when 14,692 were.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Patrick in other languages
Equivalent forms of the name, from Wiktionary
Spelled Patrick in Danish, Dutch, French and German too.
Nicknames and spellings
Famous people named Patrick
588 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Patrick ModianoFrench writer, born 1945
- Patrick WhiteEnglish-born Australian writer, 1912–1990
- Patrick SwayzeAmerican actor, producer, singer and dancer (1952–2009)
- Patrick BlackettBritish physicist (1897-1974)
- Neil Patrick HarrisAmerican actor (born 1973)
- Patrick VieiraFrench association football player and coach, born 1976
- Patrick DempseyAmerican actor and racecar driver, born 1966
- Patrick KluivertDutch football manager, born 1976
- Patrick WilsonAmerican actor, born 1973
- Patrick HenryAmerican Founding Father, orator and politician (1736 – 1799)
- Patrick MbomaCameroonian association football player, born 1970
- Patrick RafterAustralian tennis player, born 1972
More Latin boys’ names
Questions
- What does the name Patrick mean?
- Patrick means “patrician” in Latin.
- What is the origin of the name Patrick?
- From Middle English Patrick, from Latin Patricius (“patrician”), the name of an early Irish saint. Doublet of Paddy.
- How popular is the name Patrick?
- In 2025, 375 boys born in England and Wales were named Patrick, ranking 134th. Its peak was 1996, with 1,039 births.
- What are nicknames for Patrick?
- Common nicknames for Patrick include Pat, Patty, Patsy, Paddy.
- Is Patrick a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 689,424 US babies named Patrick since 1880 were boys.
- When was Patrick most popular?
- 1964 in the United States, when 14,692 babies were named Patrick, its highest rank at 30th.
- How do you pronounce Patrick?
- Patrick is /ˈpætɹɪk/, 2 syllables.
- Is Patrick also a surname?
- Yes. Patrick is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.