Padraic Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: PAH-drik //ˈpæd.rɪk//
Origin: Irish; Latin
Meaning: Irish: noble; Latin: father
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Padraic is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name Pádraig, which itself is rooted in the Latin name Patricius, meaning "noble" or "patrician." The Latin Patricius was used in early Christian contexts, particularly in reference to Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, who is credited with bringing Christianity to the country in the 5th century. The name Pádraig became widely used in Ireland, evolving into various forms, including Padraic, which is a more Anglicized version of the original Gaelic.
Historically, Saint Patrick's influence on the name is significant, as he is one of the most important figures in Irish history. His feast day, celebrated on March 17, has become a cultural and religious observance not only in Ireland but also in various parts of the world.
The name Padraic, along with its variants, has been borne by numerous notable figures throughout Irish history, including poets, writers, and political leaders, thereby reinforcing its cultural significance. In Irish tradition, the name Padraic is often associated with qualities of leadership and nobility, reflecting its etymological roots.
The name has also been linked to themes of faith and resilience, particularly in the context of Irish identity and heritage. Diminutive forms such as Pádraigín or Paddy are sometimes used affectionately, but Padraic itself carries a strong historical resonance, embodying the legacy of Saint Patrick and the enduring spirit of the Irish people.
Famous people named Padraic
In this section, you will find notable people named Padraic. 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 Padraic who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Padraic 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.
Padraic Colum is a poet and playwright best known for The King of Ireland's Son, The Adventures of Odysseus, and The Golden Fleece.
Padraic Harrington is a professional golfer best known for winning three major championships and his contributions to the Ryder Cup.
Fictional characters named Padraic
The following list of fictional characters named Padraic 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.
Padraic is a fictional character from the play The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh. He is a pivotal character whose interactions with the protagonist explore themes of storytelling and morality.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Padraic, 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 Padraic. 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 Padraic was first seen in the United States in 1955.
Padraic has ranked as high as #1113 nationally, which occurred in 1982, and has been most popular in New York, California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Padraic has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Padraic 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 Padraic was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Padraic (2009)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| PA | 5 |
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 Padraic.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2014 | 12 |
| 2013 | 14 |
| 2012 | 16 |
| 2011 | 13 |
| 2010 | 16 |
| 2009 | 15 |
| 2008 | 22 |
| 2007 | 14 |
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2005 | 20 |
| 2004 | 15 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2002 | 13 |
| 2001 | 12 |
| 2000 | 19 |
| 1999 | 20 |
| 1998 | 17 |
| 1997 | 17 |
| 1996 | 10 |
| 1995 | 23 |
| 1994 | 20 |
| 1993 | 23 |
| 1992 | 14 |
| 1991 | 20 |
| 1990 | 17 |
| 1989 | 15 |
| 1988 | 16 |
| 1987 | 28 |
| 1986 | 30 |
| 1985 | 19 |
| 1984 | 28 |
| 1983 | 25 |
| 1982 | 36 |
| 1981 | 17 |
| 1980 | 18 |
| 1979 | 25 |
| 1978 | 7 |
| 1977 | 17 |
| 1976 | 11 |
| 1975 | 8 |
| 1974 | 20 |
| 1973 | 9 |
| 1972 | 10 |
| 1971 | 19 |
| 1970 | 15 |
| 1969 | 12 |
| 1968 | 17 |
| 1967 | 15 |
| 1966 | 16 |
| 1965 | 15 |
| 1964 | 7 |
| 1963 | 9 |
| 1962 | 10 |
| 1961 | 11 |
| 1960 | 7 |
| 1959 | 8 |
| 1958 | 11 |
| 1957 | 6 |
| 1956 | 10 |
| 1955 | 8 |