Gender Masculine
Pronounced Pron. PAT-rik(English) PA-TREEK(French) PA-trik(German)  [key·IPA]

Meaning & History

From the Latin name Patricius, which meant "nobleman". 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 honour 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.

Related Names

VariantsPádraig, Pádraic(Irish) Patrice(French) Patric, Patrik(Swedish)
DiminutivesPaddy, Pádraigín, Páidí, Patsy(Irish) Pat, Patsy(English)
Feminine FormsPádraigín(Irish) Patrice, Patricia(English)
Other Languages & CulturesPadrig(Breton) Patrik(Croatian) Patrik(Czech) Patrik(Finnish) Patrik(Hungarian) Patrizio(Italian) Patricius(Late Roman) Pherick(Manx) Patariki(Maori) Pate(Medieval English) Patric(Occitan) Pátraic(Old Irish) Patryk(Polish) Patrício(Portuguese) Pàdraig(Scottish Gaelic) Patrik(Slovak) Patricio(Spanish) Padrig(Welsh)
Surname DescendantsPatrick, Patrickson(English) Fitzpatrick(Irish)

People think this name is

classic   mature   formal   natural   wholesome   strong   refined  

Name Days

Austria: March 17
France: March 17
Germany: March 17
Norway: March 5

Images

Depiction of Saint PatrickDepiction of Saint Patrick

Categories

Entry updated January 21, 2022