Paddy

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Paddy

Pronounced PAD-ee /ˈpædi/Medium

Meaning: Paddy is best known as the Irish pet form of Patrick, but the girl's use recorded here is a nickname for Patricia. Both come from the Latin 'patricius', a nobleman or patrician. As a girl's given name Paddy is rare and affectionate, standing in for the fuller Patricia in early-to-mid-1900s America.Low

In 30 seconds: Paddy, here a girl's name, is a pet form of Patricia, from the Latin for 'noble'. It stayed rare (said PAD-ee).

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Origin MediumLatin, Irish

MeaningPaddy is best known as the Irish pet form of Patrick, but the girl's use recorded here is a nickname for Patricia. Both come from the Latin 'patricius', a nobleman or patrician. As a girl's given name Paddy is rare and affectionate, standing in for the fuller Patricia in early-to-mid-1900s America.

U.S. rank (1959)#6958 ↘ Falling

1959 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1934

Total births (all-time)≈ 248

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Paddy comes from Latin patricius, 'nobleman'. Long the Irish pet form of Patrick, it also served as a nickname for Patricia, the girl's name that surged in the twentieth century. The girl's use recorded here belongs to that Patricia stream.

As a girl's given name Paddy was always rare, cresting around 1934 with only a few dozen girls a year and fading by the late nineteen-fifties as full Patricia held sway.

Did you know? Paddy usually calls to mind the Irish nickname for Patrick, but as a girl's name it is a fond short form of Patricia; both mean 'noble'.

Overall data confidence 50%

References - Paddy / Patricia / Patrick — Latin patricius 'noble'; here girl's Patricia pet form; Patrick note

Variations

PattyPaddiePadiPaddi

Nicknames

PatPatty

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Paddy…

Patty— a like pet form of Patricia

Patsy— another Patricia nickname

Patricia— the full name behind Paddy

Brady— shares Paddy's Irish roots

Mandy— shares Paddy's Latin roots

Explore names like Paddy

By themeuncertain vintage latin irish

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Paddy mean?

Paddy here is a pet form of Patricia, from the Latin 'patricius', meaning noble; it is also the Irish nickname for Patrick.

How do you pronounce Paddy?

It's said PAD-ee /ˈpædi/, two syllables.

Is Paddy a boy or girl name?

Paddy is a girl's name.

Is Paddy a popular name?

No, Paddy was always rare as a girl's name, peaking modestly around the mid nineteen-thirties.