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Home › Baby Names Directory › Patience

Patience

♀ Girl

Pronounced PAY-shents /ˈpeɪ.ʃənts/Low

Meaning: Patient endurance, steadfast calm in adversityLow

In 30 seconds: Patience is a graceful Puritan virtue name from the Latin patientia meaning steadfast endurance. It was beloved by English Puritans in the 17th century and has remained in quiet use ever since, carrying a serene, dignified quality.
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Origin LowEnglish, Latin
MeaningPatient endurance, steadfast calm in adversity
U.S. rank (2025)#1297 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births172 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2006
Total births (all-time)≈ 12,421

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200618802025

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

Patience derives from the Latin patientia meaning endurance, steadfastness, or composure under suffering. As a virtue name it was enthusiastically adopted by English Puritans in the 16th and 17th centuries, spread to the American colonies, and has been used continuously in English-speaking countries.

Patience has never fallen completely out of fashion, maintaining quiet use across generations. Today it appeals to parents who love virtue names with a serene, spiritual quality. Its two-syllable sound is easy and its meaning is genuinely beautiful.

Did you know? Patience was one of the most popular Puritan virtue names given to girls in colonial New England — a tradition that also produced Faith, Hope, Grace, and Prudence — all representing Christian ideals of character.
Overall data confidence 90%
Behind the Name: Patience

Variations

PatienciaPatienza

Nicknames

PatPattyPattie

Famous Bearers

  • ★Patience Ozokwor (1958-)
    veteran Nigerian Nollywood actress and musician known as Mama G
  • ★Patience Strong (1907-1990)
    British poet and lyricist who published under that pen name

If you like Patience…

Grace— Puritan virtue name of same tradition
Faith— Puritan virtue name used for girls
Hope— Short Puritan virtue name
Serenity— Modern virtue name with same peaceful quality

Explore names like Patience

By themelatinclassictwo-syllablevirtuespiritualpuritan
By meaningPeace

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Frequently Asked

What does Patience mean?

Patience means steadfast endurance and composure, from the Latin patientia. It was a virtue highly valued by the Puritans who adopted it as a given name.

Is Patience a popular name?

Patience is a rare but steady name in English-speaking countries, consistently used by parents who love virtue names.

How do you pronounce Patience?

Patience is pronounced PAY-shents, with two syllables.

What names are similar to Patience?

Similar virtue names include Grace, Faith, Hope, and Serenity.

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