National Patricia Day – April 27, 2024

History of National Patricia Day

The name Patricia is a feminine name with Latin origins meaning ‘noble.’ The name Patricia is derived from the Latin ‘patrician,’ which means ‘an aristocrat or nobleman.’ The masculine form of this name is Patrick. Common nicknames include ‘Pat,’ ‘PattyPatti,’ and ‘Patsy.’ Those wanting to branch out from this common and old-fashioned name may choose ‘Trish,’ or ‘Trisha’ as an alternative.

The name Patricia has a long history in Ancient Rome beginning with the patricians. The patricians were ruling class families in ancient Rome from around 500 B.C. This group ruled over Rome and controlled the government. The patricians owned most of the land inside Rome and gave land outside the city to the class below them, the plebeians. The plebeians sought to change this unjust social order and started a social movement called the Conflict of Order which lasted from 494 B.C. to 287 B.C. The movement helped the plebeians regain some of their rights. With the fall of the Roman Empire, the term shifted from being used as a high honorary title to becoming a term used for aristocrats and the bourgeoisie.

This name skyrocketed in popularity from 1937 to 1943, becoming the third most used name in the U.S. Since then, it has continued to drop down. Some opt to use the alternative Patrice, which is used as a masculine name in France. It’s more commonly used as a feminine name in the U.S. This alternative had its ups and downs throughout the year while Patricia remained in the top 1,000.