Find out how popular the first name Pat has been for the last 41 years (from 1974 to 2014) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Pat by gender

Based on the last 41 years of data, Pat is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 79% of people named Pat being male.

For the most recent data in 2014, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Pat.

The history of the first name Pat

The name Pat has its origins in the Latin name Patricius, meaning "noble" or "patrician". This name was derived from the Latin word "patres", which referred to the aristocratic families of ancient Rome.

Pat emerged as a diminutive or shortened form of the name Patrick, which was popularized by Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Patrick lived in the 5th century AD and is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. His name was derived from the Latin "Patricius", emphasizing his noble status.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Pat can be found in the 12th-century document "The Annals of Ulster", where it was mentioned in reference to a person named "Pádraig Ua Longáin". This Irish name was an anglicized version of the Latin "Patricius".

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Pat. One of the most famous was Pat Garrett, an American Old West lawman and sheriff (1850-1908) best known for his involvement in the pursuit and eventual killing of the outlaw Billy the Kid.

Another prominent figure was Pat Nixon (1912-1993), the wife of former US President Richard Nixon. She was known for her role as the First Lady of the United States from 1969 to 1974.

In the world of sports, Pat Summitt (1952-2016) was a legendary women's basketball coach at the University of Tennessee. She led the Lady Vols to eight NCAA championships and is considered one of the greatest coaches in the history of the sport.

Pat Buchanan (born 1938) is an American political commentator, author, and former presidential candidate. He is known for his conservative views and has been a prominent figure in American politics for several decades.

Pat Sajak (born 1946) is an American television personality and the longtime host of the popular game show "Wheel of Fortune". He has been hosting the show since 1981 and has become a household name in the United States.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Pat was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Pat, please contact us.

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