Find out how popular the first name Patience has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Patience by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Patience is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Patience being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 195 female babies and 6 male babies born with the name Patience.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 6 baby boys were named Patience in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Patience

The name Patience is derived from the Latin word "patientia," which means endurance, forbearance, or perseverance. It came into use as a given name during the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, reflecting the values of patience and perseverance in the face of adversity.

The earliest known use of the name Patience dates back to the late 16th century in England. One of the earliest recorded individuals with this name was Patience Winthrop, born in 1572, the daughter of John Winthrop, the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

In the 17th century, the name gained popularity among the Puritans in England and New England, who valued patience as a virtue and often gave their children names with moral or religious meanings. Patience Brewster, born in 1680 in Massachusetts, was a notable figure who became one of the first female printers in America.

The name Patience also appears in literary works, such as the character Patience Kerridge in Thomas Hardy's novel "The Woodlanders," published in 1887. This literary reference contributed to the continued use of the name in the 19th century.

Notable individuals named Patience throughout history include Patience Lovell Wright, born in 1725, an American sculptor and wax modeler considered one of the first professional sculptors in the American colonies. Patience Cleveland, born in 1756, was a notable figure in the American Revolutionary War and the wife of Benjamin Cleveland, a military leader.

Another prominent figure was Patience Meriton, born in 1782, an English diarist who wrote about her experiences as a servant in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, providing a unique insight into domestic life during that period.

In more recent times, Patience Cooper, born in 1905, was an American actress and dancer who appeared in numerous Broadway productions and Hollywood films in the 1930s and 1940s.

The name Patience continues to be used today, although it is less common than in previous centuries. Its enduring appeal lies in its representation of the virtue of patience and its connection to the historical and cultural values of perseverance and fortitude.

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 Patience was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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