The baby name Patterson is a Male name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈpætərsən/ (PAT-er-sən).
Patterson is English in Origin.
The baby name Patterson is a Male name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈpætərsən/ (PAT-er-sən).
Patterson is English in Origin.
Patterson is an English and Scottish patronymic name meaning “son of Patrick.” It derives from Middle Scots/English Patterson/Paterson, built on Patrick (from Latin Patricius, “nobleman”) plus the suffix -son, indicating descent. The surname is recorded in late medieval Scotland and northern England and took root in Ulster via Scots migration. In the United States, Patterson later transitioned into a given name, aligning with the 19th–20th‑century fashion for surnames as first names; usage today remains uncommon but recognizable.
Variants and related forms include Paterson (common in Scotland), Pattison and Pattinson (Northern English), and the more transparent Patrickson; Gaelic equivalents on the same root are Mac Phádraig/McFadden, though not strict spelling variants. Short forms and nicknames mirror Patrick’s set - Pat, Paddy, and sometimes Patty. As a first name, Patterson is typically masculine but functions as a modern unisex choice with a distinguished, heritage-leaning feel.
Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.
| Country | Gender | Year | Rank | Born | of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BN | Boys | 0 | #139 | 1 | 6,332 |
| EC | Boys | 0 | #246 | 1 | 3,322 |
| NA | Boys | 0 | #253 | 1 | 6,830 |
| TW | Boys | 0 | #256 | 1 | 7,111 |
| JM | Boys | 0 | #292 | 2 | 6,876 |
| GH | Boys | 0 | #333 | 13 | 8,138 |
| GH | Girls | 0 | #337 | 1 | 6,973 |
| MY | 0 | #354 | 1 | 12,352 | |
| YE | 0 | #398 | 1 | 8,639 | |
| PH | Boys | 0 | #407 | 2 | 11,440 |
| GT | Boys | 0 | #499 | 1 | 7,625 |
| PA | Boys | 0 | #504 | 2 | 9,305 |
| HK | Boys | 0 | #556 | 2 | 12,905 |
| CR | Girls | 0 | #573 | 1 | 11,342 |
| CM | Boys | 0 | #574 | 2 | 12,054 |
| CL | Boys | 0 | #700 | 1 | 13,390 |
| SG | Boys | 0 | #738 | 2 | 17,960 |
| QA | Boys | 0 | #743 | 1 | 18,093 |
| BR | Boys | 0 | #785 | 1 | 12,213 |
| KW | Boys | 0 | #805 | 2 | 18,755 |
| NG | Girls | 0 | #822 | 5 | 15,093 |
| United States | Boys | 2023 | #892 | 7 | 7,053 |
| PE | Boys | 0 | #926 | 1 | 14,506 |
| United States | Girls | 2014 | #928 | 5 | 9,590 |
| NG | Boys | 0 | #932 | 20 | 16,906 |
| CO | Boys | 0 | #980 | 2 | 15,656 |
| ZA | Boys | 0 | #1,169 | 10 | 25,619 |
| MY | Boys | 0 | #1,175 | 8 | 25,439 |
| ZA | Girls | 0 | #1,236 | 1 | 25,928 |
| SA | Boys | 0 | #1,687 | 5 | 28,008 |
Patterson is popular in 25 countries — most recent births per country:
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