Paddy Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: PAD-ee //ˈpædi//
Origin: Irish; English
Meaning: Irish: noble; English: derived from Patrick
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Paddy is derived from the Irish name Pádraig, which itself originates from the Latin name Patricius, meaning 'noble' or 'nobleman.' The Latin Patricius is rooted in the word 'patricius,' which referred to a member of the patrician class in ancient Rome. The name Pádraig became associated with Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, who is credited with bringing Christianity to the country in the 5th century.
The name was introduced into English through the influence of the Latin and Irish forms, particularly during the medieval period when the cult of Saint Patrick gained prominence in both Ireland and England. Historically, the name Paddy has been used as a diminutive form of Pádraig, often employed affectionately or informally.
Saint Patrick's feast day, celebrated on March 17, has contributed to the name's cultural significance, marking a day of celebration for Irish heritage and identity. The name has also been associated with various historical figures, including numerous saints and scholars throughout the centuries, which has helped to maintain its presence in Irish culture.
In addition to its religious connotations, the name Paddy has been embraced in various cultural expressions, including literature, music, and folklore. The name evokes images of Irish folklore and tradition, often symbolizing a connection to the land and its rich history.
The use of Paddy as a name for both boys and girls reflects its versatility and enduring appeal, rooted deeply in the cultural and linguistic heritage of Ireland.
Famous people named Paddy
In this section, you will find notable people named Paddy. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Paddy who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Paddy who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Paddy Considine is an actor and filmmaker best known for Dead Man's Shoes, The Death of Stalin, and Peaky Blinders.
Paddy McGuinness is a comedian and television presenter best known for Take Me Out, Top Gear, and The Keith Lemon Sketch Show.
Paddy Ashdown is a former military officer and author best known for his role as the leader of the Liberal Democrats and his work in Bosnia.
Fictional characters named Paddy
The following list of fictional characters named Paddy is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Paddy is a fictional character from the film The Commitments. He is the lead singer of the band and embodies the spirit of soul music in Dublin.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Paddy, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Paddy. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Paddy was first seen in the United States in 1928.
Paddy has ranked as high as #2505 nationally, which occurred in 1934, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Paddy has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Paddy is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Paddy was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Paddy.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 2015 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 2005 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1965 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1960 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1959 | 13 | 8 | 5 |
| 1957 | 15 | 7 | 8 |
| 1955 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| 1954 | 10 | 5 | 5 |
| 1953 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1952 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1951 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 1950 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| 1949 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1948 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1947 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 1946 | 14 | 6 | 8 |
| 1942 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 1941 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1940 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 1939 | 14 | 7 | 7 |
| 1938 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1937 | 18 | 5 | 13 |
| 1936 | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| 1935 | 16 | 0 | 16 |
| 1934 | 28 | 0 | 28 |
| 1933 | 25 | 0 | 25 |
| 1932 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1931 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1930 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1929 | 11 | 6 | 5 |
| 1928 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Top States for Paddy
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
No state data available for this year.