What does patrick mean?
Patrick is a masculine proper name rather than an ordinary English noun or verb. It is used to identify a person, as in “Patrick called,” and is especially familiar in British, Irish, and American contexts. The name is strongly associated with Saint Patrick, the fifth-century missionary whose life and legends became central to Irish Christianity and culture. Saint Patrick's Day, observed on March 17, is now celebrated in many countries with parades, music, food, and other traditions, giving the name a prominent international cultural presence. Historically, Patrick derives from the Latin name Patricius, a Roman family name connected with the patrician class. Related names include Patricia, Patrice, Patricio, and Patrizio. Because Patrick is normally used as an individual name, it has no standard plural in general usage, though “Patricks” can occasionally refer to multiple people with that name.
proper nounPatrick is a masculine given name used in English and other English-speaking contexts. It is also the name of Saint Patrick, the fifth-century British missionary and patron saint of Ireland.
- A masculine given name.
- A personal name used to identify an individual.
- The name of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.
"Patrick and his family celebrated Saint Patrick's Day with a traditional meal."
"Patrick was the first person to arrive at the meeting."
"The lesson introduced the history of Saint Patrick and the origins of the holiday associated with him."
Rare and context-dependent; personal names are normally used without a plural, except when referring to multiple people named Patrick.
"The article compares two Patricks who grew up in different cities."
The name Patrick carries a vivid legacy: its best-known bearer, Saint Patrick, became the patron saint of Ireland and the figure behind one of the world's most widely celebrated cultural festivals.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does patrick come from?
Patrick is the English form of the Latin name Patricius, a Roman family name associated with the patricians. The name was established in English through its association with Saint Patrick, the fifth-century British missionary and patron saint of Ireland. Related forms in other languages include Patricia, Patrice, Patricio, and Patrizio, all reflecting the same Latin name.
How patrick is actually used
Patrick is a proper name and is normally capitalized. It has no independent common-noun meaning in standard English. In references to the saint, the forms “Saint Patrick” and “St Patrick” are both common.