Fun Facts About the Name Patterson
- 560 babies named Patterson: U.S. records list 560 babies given the name Patterson from 1880 through 2025. Even 20 girls received the name Patterson - about 1 girl for every 27 boys.
What Does the Name Patterson Mean?
Patterson is an English and Scottish surname used as a given name. It is a patronymic meaning son of Patrick. The ending -son is the patronymic suffix for 'son of.' The first part comes from Pat or Pate, a pet form of the personal name Patrick. Patrick goes back to Latin Patricius, meaning 'patrician' or 'nobleman,' from patres, 'fathers,' a term for Roman senators. The literal meaning of Patterson is therefore 'son of Patrick'; the noble association belongs to the name Patrick itself.
Patterson Name History & Origins
Patronymic surnames ending in -son became established in medieval England and Scotland, especially in northern England and in Scotland. Patterson is one of several family names formed from the personal name Patrick and its short forms. The related spelling Paterson is especially associated with Scotland, while Patterson is also common in England and Ulster. Other patronymics from the same personal name include Pattison and Patteson.
As a first name, Patterson is a transferred use of the surname. It follows the English-language practice of using family surnames in the given-name position. The name is therefore a family-name style rather than a continuation of the medieval personal name Patrick itself.
How Popular is the Name Patterson?
Patterson 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 2013. Its best rank was #2,404 in 1955.
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 | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #18,556 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2010 | #19,138 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2005 | #18,477 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1993 | #15,124 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #11,654 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 2023 | #10,513 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2020 | #7,372 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2019 | #8,053 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2018 | #7,484 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2017 | #13,740 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2016 | #11,770 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2015 | #5,674 | 16 | 0.0008% |
| 2014 | #7,414 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2013 | #5,581 | 16 | 0.0008% |
| 2012 | #7,415 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2011 | #7,370 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2010 | #6,288 | 14 | 0.0007% |
| 2009 | #8,814 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2008 | #8,136 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 2007 | #10,606 | 7 | 0.0003% |
| 2006 | #7,297 | 11 | 0.0005% |
| 2005 | #12,845 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2004 | #12,731 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2003 | #8,426 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2001 | #6,799 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 2000 | #8,884 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1999 | #6,388 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1998 | #10,861 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1995 | #8,594 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1990 | #7,847 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1989 | #7,655 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1988 | #7,021 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1987 | #5,321 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1985 | #6,313 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1975 | #6,069 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1973 | #5,673 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1969 | #4,289 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1968 | #4,587 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1965 | #4,295 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1964 | #3,222 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1962 | #3,925 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1961 | #3,580 | 7 | 0.0003% |
| 1960 | #3,573 | 7 | 0.0003% |
| 1959 | #3,219 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1957 | #3,192 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1956 | #3,834 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1955 | #2,404 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 1953 | #2,857 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1951 | #3,283 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1950 | #3,246 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1949 | #2,568 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1947 | #3,039 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1946 | #3,436 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1944 | #2,430 | 10 | 0.0007% |
| 1943 | #3,924 | 5 | 0.0004% |
| 1942 | #2,888 | 8 | 0.0006% |
| 1941 | #2,453 | 10 | 0.0008% |
| 1940 | #2,624 | 9 | 0.0008% |
| 1933 | #2,503 | 10 | 0.0010% |
| 1931 | #4,193 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1930 | #3,516 | 7 | 0.0006% |
| 1929 | #3,182 | 8 | 0.0007% |
| 1926 | #3,626 | 7 | 0.0006% |
| 1925 | #3,654 | 7 | 0.0006% |
| 1923 | #2,897 | 10 | 0.0009% |
| 1922 | #3,784 | 7 | 0.0006% |
| 1921 | #3,430 | 8 | 0.0007% |
| 1919 | #4,646 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1918 | #3,619 | 7 | 0.0007% |
| 1917 | #2,893 | 9 | 0.0010% |
| 1914 | #2,591 | 8 | 0.0012% |
| 1912 | #2,815 | 5 | 0.0012% |
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 Patterson 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.
You are always looking for an opportunity to achieve financial and emotional security. You are basically peacemaker. You understand the law of harmony and desire to balance your life with those around you. You may feel incomplete without someone to share your love, ideals, wealth or work. You can be very sensitive and could appear a bit shy and perceptive. You have developed intuition, patience and the ability to nurture others. You can achieve the state of happiness if you are willing to accept your needs in a complimentary relationship and go to create them.
✦ Patterson's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Patterson's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.