The girl's name Patricia \p(a)-tri-cia, pat-ricia\, also used as boy's name Patricia, is pronounced pa-TRISH-ah. It is of Latin origin, and its meaning is "noble; patrician". Feminine form of Patrick. The Romans once were divided socially and politically into two major classes, the plebeians and the patricians. To be patrician meant one was highly ranked, an aristocrat. The name became popular when it was used for one of Queen Victoria's granddaughters. It is also popular nowadays in Spain. Singers Patti LaBelle, Patsy Cline, Pat Benatar; choreographer Trisha Brown; actresses Patty Duke, Patricia Neal, Patricia Arquette; First Lady Pat Nixon; Congresswoman Pat Schroeder.

ORIGIN
Latin

MEANING
Nobleman

Feminine form of Patricius, taken from the male name Patrick and derived from the Latin word, patrician, one of two Roman social and political classes. The name climbed in popularity when Queen Victoria's granddaughter, Princess Patricia, was born in 1886 and eventually became known as Patsy to family and friends. It was influenced by the fame of Academy award-winning actress Patricia Neal, who began her long stretch in films from the mid 1940s through the late 1990s. Actress Patty Duke, who uses a shortened form of the name, was well-known in the 1960s, especially in the film, "The Miracle Worker," and her 1963 series, "The Patty Duke Show." Several notable musicians who bear a form of this name are Grammy-winning R&B soul singer, Patti LaBelle and four-time Grammy Award winning rocker, Pat Benatar. Also a popular hyphenated name, such as Patricia-Anne or Patricia-Lynn.

VARIATIONS
Patrice Patrick

ALTERNATIVES
Patriceia Patrizzia Patrizia Patrisha Patricja Patrishia

NICKNAMES
Tricia Patti Trish Pat

FAMOUS Patricias
Pat Nixon (former First Lady) Patsy Cline (country/pop singer)

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