Patricio is a masculine given name of Latin origin. It comes from the Roman gens name Patricia, which was derived from the Latin word "patrius," meaning "of one's father" or "fatherly." The name Patricia was originally used as a feminine gens name, but it has since become popular for both boys and girls.
The name Patricio gained prominence during the Roman Empire, where it was often given to children in honor of their fathers or ancestral lineage. It is also associated with Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, who was born in Britain and later became a missionary in Ireland in the fifth century. Although Patricio is not directly related to Saint Patrick's name, it has been influenced by his popularity as a saints' name.
Over time, Patricio has become popular throughout Latin America, Spain, and other Spanish-speaking countries. It has also gained recognition internationally, with people of various backgrounds choosing this name for their children. Despite its widespread use, Patricio remains relatively rare in the English-speaking world.
In terms of its meaning and symbolism, Patricio carries a strong association with family lineage and ancestral heritage. It is often chosen by parents who wish to honor their own family history or to instill a sense of pride in their child's cultural roots. Additionally, the name has associations with faith and religious devotion due to its connection with Saint Patrick.
Overall, Patricio is a unique and historically significant given name that carries deep cultural significance for many families throughout the world. Its Latin origins and association with strong familial ties make it an appealing choice for parents looking for a meaningful and distinctive name for their child.
Patricio is not a common name in the United States, with only five babies being named Patricio each year on average since its first appearance in the Social Security Administration's baby name data in 1975. This makes it a rather unique and distinctive name, as it has never ranked among the top 1000 most popular names for boys since records began in 1880. Despite its scarcity, Patricio has managed to maintain a consistent presence over the years, with at least one baby being named Patricio annually between 1975 and 2019, inclusive. This means that while it may not be widely used, Patricio is nonetheless a name that continues to appear on American birth certificates year after year.