A 1950s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Patty since 1880
Babies named Patty per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 27 |
| 1890s | 32 |
| 1900s | 82 |
| 1910s | 339 |
| 1920s | 2,764 |
| 1930s | 9,625 |
| 1940s | 11,417 |
| 1950s | 16,106 |
| 1960s | 17,521 |
| 1970s | 3,057 |
| 1980s | 893 |
| 1990s | 351 |
| 2000s | 157 |
| 2010s | 63 |
| 2020s | 18 |
Meaning & origin
Patty is a classic mid-century diminutive that enjoyed its greatest visibility in the 1950s, reaching peak popularity in 1959. In 2025, it ranked 14,942 with about 1 in 321,453 baby girls receiving the name, a far cry from its heyday. The name has been experiencing a modest rise since 2019, perhaps as part of a broader vintage revival. While Patty is typically understood as a short form of Patricia, its standalone use has a friendly, approachable feel that recalls an era of poodle skirts and soda fountains. Despite no top state concentrations in recent years, the name retains a nostalgic charm.
Patty is traditionally a diminutive of Patricia, the feminine form of the Latin name Patricius meaning 'nobleman' or 'patrician.' Patricia was used as a given name in England from the 18th century, and Patty emerged as a pet form. The name peaked in popularity for girls in the United States in the 1950s, later becoming less common but remaining in occasional use.
Where Patty 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
Sibling names for Patty
Names that share Patty's style, for a brother or sister.
