Holding steady.
Popularity of Patches since 1968
Babies named Patches per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 10 |
| 1970s | 113 |
| 1980s | 28 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Patches is an unusual given name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1968, during the era of creative vocabulary names. Its peak year was 1975, coinciding with the tail end of a period when non-traditional names saw a small surge. Since then, usage has remained stable but negligible, never reaching even 1-in-100,000 births. The name has never broken into the top 1000, indicating it has always been a rare choice. Top states for Patches in its peak year included a scattering across the Midwest and West, but no state recorded more than a handful of births. As a modern coinage, Patches lacks historical depth; its appeal lies in its whimsical, affectionate sound, making it a standout among a small cluster of pet-like names from the same era.
Patches emerged as a given name in the late 1960s, likely inspired by the playful sound and association with quilts or patches of color. It is a modern coinage, not derived from an older name or tradition. The name gained brief visibility in the 1970s but has never been common, hovering at negligible usage levels.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Patch
Sibling names for Patches
Names that share Patches's style, for a brother or sister.
