Patricio

Patricio is a masculine given name widely used in Spanish-speaking countries and, in its Portuguese form Patrício, in Portuguese-speaking contexts. It derives from the Latin Patricius, meaning "patrician" or "noble." The name’s association with Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, has contributed to its long-standing presence in Christian naming traditions, where the Spanish form is rendered as San Patricio.

In modern usage, Patricio is common in Spain and Latin America. It has several diminutive forms, such as Pat, Patito, or Patricito in informal speech, and the feminine form is Patricia. Variants in other languages include Patrizio in Italian and Patrik in several Germanic and Slavic languages. In Portuguese, the form Patrício is also used, with regional variations in accent and pronunciation.

Notable people named Patricio include Patricio Aylwin Azócar (1918–2016), a Chilean politician who served as president from 1990 to 1994. The name appears across diverse fields in Spanish-speaking societies, including politics, sports, and culture, reflecting its broad cultural reach.

As a given name, Patricio exemplifies the spread of Latin-derived names into the Spanish-speaking world and their persistence in contemporary naming practices.