Patricia is a feminine given name of Latin origin, derived from the Roman family name Patricius, which means "of noble birth" or "nobleman." The name Patricia is composed of the Latin words "patri," meaning father, and "ius," meaning belonging to or like. Therefore, the name can be interpreted as "belonging to a father" or "having the qualities of a father."
The name Patricia became popular in the 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries such as England, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It was among the top ten most popular girl names in various years throughout the mid-20th century. For instance, it was the sixth most popular name for girls born in the United States in 1940.
The use of Patricia as a given name is believed to have started in the late 19th century, with its popularity likely stemming from its association with Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Although the name Patricia is generally considered feminine, there are historical examples of it being used for males as well, such as the 5th-century British Christian soldier and missionary Saint Patrick.
Today, Patricia remains a popular name around the world, often given to daughters in families with Irish or Latin roots or simply those who appreciate its classic sound and meaning. Some notable figures named Patricia include American actresses Patricia Neal and Patricia Routledge, Australian tennis player Patricia Todd-Coggon, and Mexican painter Frida Kahlo's mother, Matilde Calderón y Kahlo de Diego.
The name Patricia has been quite popular in the United States since the late 19th century. According to the statistics provided, there were six births with the name Patricia in 1884, and this number increased steadily over time.
In the early 20th century, the number of births with the name Patricia began to rise more significantly. By 1910, there were 316 babies named Patricia born in the United States, and by 1920, this number had more than doubled to 745 births.
The popularity of the name Patricia peaked in the mid-20th century. In 1960, there were a total of 8,366 babies named Patricia born in the United States, making it one of the most popular names for girls that year. This trend continued through the early 1970s, with over 5,000 births each year.
However, beginning in the late 1970s, the popularity of the name Patricia began to decline. By the mid-1980s, the number of babies named Patricia had decreased significantly, and this trend continued throughout the rest of the century and into the 21st century.
Despite its decline in popularity, the name Patricia remains quite common in the United States today. According to the latest data available, there were still 221 births with the name Patricia in the United States in 2022.
Overall, the name Patricia has had a long and varied history of popularity in the United States, peaking in the mid-20th century but remaining common into the modern day.