Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Patrick

The perennially favorite Irish name Patrick actually comes from a Latin word (“patricius”) meaning ‘nobly born, Patrician’ for which the Gaelic version is Pádraig (pronounced PAW-drig). The name is famously borne by the patron saint of Ireland who lived from the 4th to 5th century. One of the most colorful of all the Roman Catholic saints, so many legends and myths surround St. Patrick it’s difficult to distinguish fact from fiction. Here’s what we know. Saint Patrick was born in Britain around 373 as a Roman citizen who probably spoke some version of a Celtic language. As a young man he was captured by Irish raiders and forced to guard sheep. Eventually he escaped and went to mainland Europe to train as a priest. A series of visions called him back to Ireland; and once there, his legend grows. He is known for driving the snakes off the island by chasing them to the sea (apparently after the pesky serpents disturbed his 40-day fast). He is also known for bringing symbolism of the Trinity to the shamrock; but most notably, he is known for converting the whole of Ireland to Christianity before his death in 463. He was held in such high esteem that the name Pádraig/Patrick was practically off-limits until about the 17th century. By the 19th century, the name was so popularized it was used as a generic name for an Irishman. The legends of St. Patrick extended well beyond Ireland and so the name was adopted throughout Europe (Irish: Pádraig, English: Patrick, French: Patrice; Spanish: Patricio, Italian: Patrizio).

All About the Baby Name – Patrick

Personality

OF THE BOY NAME PATRICK

Romance is the hallmark of the Six personality. They exude nurturing, loving, and caring energy. Sixes are in love with the idea of love in its idealized form - and with their magnetic personalities, they easily draw people toward them. Like the number Two personality, they seek balance and harmony in their life and the world at large. They are conscientious and service-oriented, and a champion for the underdog. These personalities naturally attract money and are usually surrounded by lovely material objects - but their human relationships are always primary. They thrive in giving back to others rather than being motivated by their own desires. This is when they achieve great things. Sixes are natural teachers, ministers and counselors.

Popularity

OF THE BOY NAME PATRICK

Patrick has been a perennial favorite among Americans, most likely driven on the charts by the Irish migration to America in the early 19th century. Today, some 13% of Americans claim some degree of Irish ancestry. As a result, we can see the success of the classic anglicized Gaelic name, Patrick, on the American naming charts. The height of name’s success can be found between the years of 1948 and 1997 when, for 50 straight years, Patrick is a Top 50 choice for little boys. In the past 10 years, Patrick’s popularity is showing signs of waning, as it’s dropped almost 80 spots on the charts since 1997 and is no longer on the Top 100 list of most-favored boys’ names. Patrick persists over in Ireland, however, maintaining a position on the Top 20 list in its motherland. Patrick remains a tried-and-true classic name loaded with Irish charm, practically synonymous with Ireland in general. But if you really want to show off your Irish heritage and be more unique, think about the Gaelic Pádraig as an alternative.

Quick Facts

ON PATRICK

GENDER:

Boy

ORIGIN:

Celtic

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

154

PRONUNCIATION:

PAT-rik

SIMPLE MEANING:

Nobly born, Patrician

Characteristics

OF PATRICK

Humanitarian

Community-minded

Family-oriented

Loving

Affectionate

Compassionate

Sensitive

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Patrick

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME PATRICK

We cannot find any significant literary characters by the name of Patrick

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME PATRICK

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Patrick


Popular Songs

ON PATRICK

St. Patrick's Day
a song by John Mayer

Patrick's Song
a song by Shawn Mullins

Patrick
a song by June

Famous People

NAMED PATRICK

Saint Patrick (patron saint of Ireland)
Pat Boone (singer)
Patrick Cargill (actor)
Patrick Dempsey (actor)
Patrick Duffy (actor)
Patrick Ewing (basketball player)
Pádraig Harrington (golfer)
Patrick Harvey (actor)
Patrick Henry (American revolutionary figure)
Patrick McGoohan (actor)
Patrick McGuinness (comic)
Pat Morita (actor)
Patrick Monahan (musician)
Pat Robertson (preacher/politician)
Pat Sajak (game show host)
Sir Patrick Stewart (actor)
Patrick Stump (musician)
Patrick Swayze (actor)
Patrick Swift (painter)
Patrick Warburton (actor)
Patrick Willis (football player)

Children of Famous People

NAMED PATRICK

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Patrick

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME PATRICK

Patrick Henry was an American orator, politician and Founding Father who led the movement for independence in Virginia in the 1770s. He is most known for his "Give me Liberty, or give me Death!" speech. An impassioned promoter of the American Revolution and Independence, Patrick Henry would go onto lead the “anti-federalists” who criticized the United States Constitution fearing that it endangered the rights of the States and therefore individual freedoms. His opposition would be instrumental in the adoption of the Bill of Rights. George Washington offered Henry the Secretary of State post in the first Presidential administration, but he declined due to his distaste for the Federalist political agenda. He would eventually change his tune after witnessing the radicalism of the French Revolution and began to understand the necessity of a secure Federal government.