Patience
From patience, a virtue name first used by Puritans in the sixteenth century.
Every Patience since 1880 — 12,469 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Patience
Patience is uncommon for girls in the United States, ranked #1,297 in 2025 with 172 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 12,469 American babies have been named Patience. Its peak came in 2006, when 508 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Patience stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Patience year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 172 | #1,297 | — | — |
| 2024 | 174 | #1,324 | — | — |
| 2023 | 198 | #1,207 | 6 | #11,895 |
| 2022 | 203 | #1,189 | 7 | #10,583 |
| 2021 | 231 | #1,084 | 6 | #11,783 |
| 2020 | 229 | #1,080 | — | — |
| 2019 | 236 | #1,071 | — | — |
| 2018 | 213 | #1,147 | 8 | #9,443 |
| 2017 | 181 | #1,302 | — | — |
| 2016 | 206 | #1,206 | — | — |
| 2015 | 246 | #1,070 | — | — |
| 2014 | 273 | #978 | 5 | #13,525 |
| 2013 | 291 | #887 | — | — |
| 2012 | 316 | #845 | — | — |
| 2011 | 315 | #839 | — | — |
| 2010 | 341 | #803 | 6 | #11,815 |
| 2009 | 383 | #746 | — | — |
| 2008 | 384 | #765 | 6 | #12,187 |
| 2007 | 454 | #653 | — | — |
| 2006 | 508 | #578 | — | — |
| 2005 | 472 | #604 | — | — |
| 2004 | 293 | #842 | — | — |
| 2003 | 277 | #868 | — | — |
| 2002 | 264 | #869 | — | — |
| 2001 | 242 | #924 | — | — |
| 2000 | 246 | #894 | — | — |
| 1995 | 209 | #907 | — | — |
| 1990 | 170 | #1,054 | — | — |
| 1985 | 63 | #1,799 | — | — |
| 1980 | 104 | #1,257 | — | — |
| 1975 | 89 | #1,264 | — | — |
| 1970 | 39 | #2,107 | — | — |
| 1965 | 42 | #1,758 | — | — |
| 1960 | 39 | #1,828 | — | — |
| 1955 | 27 | #2,094 | — | — |
| 1950 | 18 | #2,410 | — | — |
| 1945 | 16 | #2,217 | — | — |
| 1940 | 21 | #1,780 | — | — |
| 1935 | 16 | #2,080 | — | — |
| 1930 | 9 | #3,268 | — | — |
| 1925 | 12 | #2,900 | — | — |
| 1920 | 18 | #2,151 | — | — |
| 1915 | 18 | #1,868 | — | — |
| 1910 | 11 | #1,497 | — | — |
| 1905 | 7 | #1,658 | — | — |
| 1900 | 10 | #1,296 | — | — |
| 1895 | 9 | #1,187 | — | — |
| 1890 | 9 | #992 | — | — |
| 1885 | 11 | #687 | — | — |
| 1880 | 7 | #726 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Patience mean?
From patience, a virtue name first used by Puritans in the sixteenth century.
How popular is the name Patience in 2025?
Patience ranked #1,297 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 172 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Patience?
12,469 babies have been named Patience in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Patience most popular?
Patience peaked in 2006, when 508 newborns received the name.
Is Patience a boy or girl name?
Patience is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Patience rising or falling?
Patience is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.