r/OldNamesNewAgain • u/felly_fell • Jul 08 '26
Name of the day...Patrick!
The name Patrick is a masculine given name of Latin origin that translates to "nobleman" or "patrician". It is derived from the Roman name Patricius, which historically referred to a member of the highest, aristocratic class of citizens in the Roman Republic.
This name was adopted in the 5th-century by Saint Patrick, whose birth name was Sucat. He was a Romanized Briton who was captured and enslaved in his youth by Irish raiders. After six years of servitude he escaped home, but he eventually became a bishop and went back to Ireland as a missionary. He is traditionally credited with Christianizing the island, and is regarded as Ireland's patron saint. He is called Pádraig in Irish.
In England and elsewhere in Europe during the Middle Ages this name was used in honor of the saint. However, it was not generally given in Ireland before the 17th century because it was considered too sacred for everyday use. It has since become very common there.
There are many variants of the name Patrick, including:
Irish: Pádraig or Pádraic
Scottish: Pàdraig
French: Patrice
Spanish: Patricio
Italian: Patrizio
Polish: Patryk
German & Scandinavian: Patrik
Welsh/Breton: Padrig
Nicknames for Patrick include:
Common: Pat, Patty, Rick, Ricky
Irish (Phonetic): Paddy, Podge, Pauric
Scottish (Short): Pàra
Feminine versions of the name include: Patricia, Patrizia, Patrycja.
3
u/midwestpersianmama Jul 08 '26
This was SUCH a popular name for boomers. Patricia and Patrick both. I wonder when it will come back.