Patsy is a unique and distinctive female given name of Irish origin. It is derived from the Irish surname "Padraig," which means "noble" or "patrician." The name Patsy is often used as a diminutive form of names such as Patricia, Patience, or Pasquale.
The name Patsy has been popular throughout history and has been associated with several notable figures. One famous bearer of the name was Patsy Cline, an American country music singer whose hits include "I Fall to Pieces" and "Crazy." Born Virginia Patterson Hensley in 1932, she adopted the stage name Patsy Cline during her rise to fame in the mid-1950s.
Another notable figure with the name Patsy was Patsy Stone, a fictional character from the popular British sitcom Absolutely Fabulous. Played by Joanna Lumley, Patsy Stone is known for her eccentric fashion sense and outgoing personality.
Despite its historical popularity, the name Patsy has become somewhat less common in recent years, perhaps due to its association with older generations. However, it remains a unique and distinctive choice for parents looking for an uncommon yet meaningful name for their daughter.
The name Patsy experienced significant popularity fluctuations over the period from 1886 to 1992. It started with a low of just five births in 1886 but began increasing by the late 1800s, reaching double digits annually between 1898 and 1907. The peak occurred in 1911-1919, during which there were over 240 births each year, culminating with a high of 324 births in 1921.
However, after the early 1920s, the popularity of Patsy began to decline sharply. By the mid-1930s, annual births had dropped below 170, and by the late 1950s, they were under 40 annually. In the 1960s and 1970s, the name's popularity continued to wane, with fewer than 20 births each year after 1962.
From 1980 onwards, Patsy was rarely chosen as a baby girl's name, with most years recording fewer than ten births. In total, over this 106-year period, there were 7,713 babies named Patsy at birth in the United States.