Entry № 1885 · Latin origin

Patricia Patricia — Meaning, Origin & Baby Name Popularity

/ pah-TREE-shah /
Gender
Girl
Origin
Latin
Meaning
"Noblewoman (peaked #4 in 1937; Patricia Highsmith, Pat Schroeder)"
Syllables
3
Rank · US 2025
№ 705
First recorded
Medieval (Latin)

A name that means "noblewoman (peaked #4 in 1937; patricia highsmith, pat schroeder)".

Patricia is the Latin feminine of Patricius — from patricius, a member of the Roman aristocracy (the patrician class). **A canonical mid-century American name — ranked in the US top 10 from 1937 through 1965, peaking at #4 in 1937**. **Patricia Highsmith (1921-1995)** — American novelist of *Strangers on a Train* and *The Talented Mr. Ripley*. **Pat Schroeder (1940-2023)** — first woman elected to Congress from Colorado; congresswoman for 24 years. **Saint Patricia of Naples (c. 665-685)** was a Byzantine noblewoman who took religious vows to escape an arranged marriage.

Subject of countless mid-century American novels and films, including Patricia Bosworth's biographies.

Noblewoman. Peaked at #4 in 1937; Patricia Highsmith's Talented Mr. Ripley.

The name in its native script.

Patricia
Transliteration
Patricia
Pronunciation
/ pəˈtrɪʃ.ə /
Root
Grammatical form

Where Patricia stands.

Current rank · 2025
№ 705 in the U.S.
All-time peak
№ 4 in 1937
Babies named Patricia · last year
400 in the U.S.
First entered SSA top-1000
1880
Rank, 1995–2025 Lower = more popular
№25 №75 №150 №250 1995 2005 2015 2020 2025 PEAK · #4 NOW · #705

Patricias before her.

Real people
Patricia Highsmith
American novelist.
1921 – 1995
Patricia Cornwell
American crime novelist.
born 1956
Pat Schroeder
US Congresswoman.
1940 – 2023
In fiction
Patricia
Strangers on a Train.
1950

Names connected to Patricia.

The number behind Patricia.

8

The Authority

Patricia reduces to eight — the number of noblewoman.

Why families chose this name.

"Highsmith's Patricia. Eight letters. Patricia."
Catherine · Mother of one · New York