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 had a significant rise in popularity from the late 1800s to the early 1900s, with a steady increase in births each year until reaching a peak of 895 births in 1915. This trend continued into the 1920s and 1930s, with the highest number of births recorded at 36874 in 1943. After World War II, the popularity of the name began to decline, reaching its lowest point in recent years with only 202 births recorded in 2023. Overall, a total of 1573241 babies named Patricia were born between 1884 and 2023.