Fun Facts About the Name Patten
- 5 babies named Patten: U.S. records list 5 babies given the name Patten from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Patten Mean?
Patten is an English surname meaning "maker or wearer of pattens." It comes from Middle English paten or patin, a word for a wooden clog or overshoe. A patten was a raised sole or sandal strapped under the shoe to lift the wearer above mud and wet ground. The surname probably began as an occupational name for a patten-maker, though it could also have been a nickname for someone who wore pattens. The Middle English term is related to Old French patin, which could mean a wooden shoe or skate.
Some reference works also treat Patten, especially in Ireland, as a variant of Patton. Patton is usually explained as a diminutive of Pate, a short form of Patrick. That is a separate line of explanation from the patten footwear word, and it is not certain that every family named Patten shares the same origin.
Patten Name History & Origins
Patten began as an English family name. It belongs to the medieval class of surnames taken from everyday objects and occupations, and its Middle English spellings paten and patin show the French-influenced vocabulary of the period. The surname is also found in Ireland, especially in Counties Tyrone and Derry, where it may overlap with Patton.
As a first name, Patten is chiefly a transferred surname. It is used in English-speaking countries, particularly the United States, but it is uncommon. American families have often used surnames as given names, sometimes preserving a mother's maiden name or another family line.
Patten should be distinguished from Patton. The two surnames sound alike, and some records may treat them as variants, but Patton's usual root is the personal name Pate, a short form of Patrick, while Patten's usual root is the footwear term. The overlap in spelling and pronunciation makes confusion possible without establishing a single origin for every family.
How Popular is the Name Patten?
Patten has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2025. Its best rank was #13,397 in 2025.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #13,397 | 5 | 0.0003% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Patten Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You have a power of expression, either in speaking or writing. You are in favor for studying and research. You are clever, clear-sighted and intellectual. You don't like to let others know your true feelings. You might be atheistic or agnostic. You are bold, independent, inquisitive and interested in research. You know what you want and why you want it.
Dependable, very down-to-earth and well grounded, you are always looking for meaningful work, a career where you can take pride in your work and do the best job you are capable of. Your prime desire is to build protected and secure environment at home and at work. You can be very persuasive in achieving goals and gaining objectives. You can be very detailed and well-organized and possess great organizational skills. At times you may appear too stubborn and overly critical to others, but your practical approach to life and productivity makes you one of the most beneficent members of community.
✦ Patten's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Patten's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.