Patricia

Patricia is a Latin feminine name derived from the root patricius, meaning of noble birth or belonging to the patrician class, the hereditary aristocracy of ancient Rome. It came into common use as a given name in the English-speaking world during the 18th and 19th centuries, rising sharply in popularity through the mid-20th century. Saint Patricia of Naples, a 7th-century noblewoman venerated in southern Italy, gave the name early religious currency. Related forms include the Irish Pádraigin, the Spanish and Italian Patrizia, and the masculine counterpart Patrick.