Declining since 2006, #1,295 for girls today.
Popularity of Patience since 1880
Babies named Patience per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 59 |
| 1890s | 82 |
| 1900s | 75 |
| 1910s | 144 |
| 1920s | 163 |
| 1930s | 171 |
| 1940s | 216 |
| 1950s | 258 |
| 1960s | 360 |
| 1970s | 750 |
| 1980s | 759 |
| 1990s | 2,040 |
| 2000s | 3,523 |
| 2010s | 2,618 |
| 2020s | 1,207 |
Meaning & origin
Patience is a classic virtue name with Puritan origins, first recorded in the United States in 1880. It experienced a resurgence in the early 2000s, reaching its peak rank in 2006, but has since declined in use. As of 2025, it ranks 1295 with approximately 1 in 9345 girls receiving the name. The name is most popular in Southern states including South Carolina, Alabama, and Louisiana. While no longer a top choice, Patience remains a distinctive option for parents seeking a name with moral weight and historical depth.
Patience derives from the Latin word 'patientia', meaning 'suffering' or 'endurance', and entered English via Old French. It was adopted as a given name by Puritans in the 16th and 17th centuries, who favored virtue names for their moral and religious connotations.
Where Patience is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Pat, Patti, Patty
Sibling names for Patience
Names that share Patience's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Hope, Faith, Grace, Charity, Prudence, Chasity, Chastity, Constance, Hester, Memory, Mercy, Temperance, Trinity, Amity, Blessing, Charita, Fayth, Temple, Clarity, Electa, Faithe, Faithlyn, Faithlynn, Faythe, Mercie, Merit, Modesty, Serinity, Sister, Tempestt, Chariti, Chassie, Cherity, Honour, Prudie, Prudy, Purity, Worthy, Honestii, Wealthy, Chairty, Charitie, Chassity, Comfort, Gratia, Honestie, Justiss, Novice, Prue, Sincerity, Temprance
Brothers: Ezra, Caleb, Silas, Jonah, Levi, Freeman, Justus, Christ, Ebenezer, Clearance, Excell, Lawyer, Squire, Gentle, Pastor, Prophet, Welcome
Names like Patience
Names whose popularity has moved with Patience's over the last 50 years.
