Unisex name · peaked 1941

Patsy

A diminutive of the female given name Patricia.

Every Patsy since 1880 — 127,161 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
1.252.53.75518801900192019401960198020002020GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Rank 2025
#6,059
among girls
Babies in 2025
20
named Patsy
Peak year
1941
4,868 babies
All-time total
127,161
since 1880

The story of Patsy

Patsy is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #6,059 in 2025 with 20 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 127,161 American babies have been named Patsy — about 94% girls and 6% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1941, when 4,868 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1940s.

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 Patsy stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Patsy 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 20 #6,059
2024 17 #6,864
2023 18 #6,609
2022 17 #6,924
2021 20 #6,119
2020 17 #6,857
2019 11 #9,590
2018 11 #9,664
2017 15 #7,753
2016 16 #7,519
2015 16 #7,524
2014 17 #7,229
2013 13 #8,935
2012 22 #6,067
2011 12 #9,587
2010 17 #7,432
2009 17 #7,607
2008 21 #6,511
2007 14 #8,891
2006 24 #5,666
2005 25 #5,219
2004 13 #8,603
2003 46 #3,221
2002 30 #4,253
2001 37 #3,617
2000 30 #4,150
1995 55 #2,386
1990 110 #1,436
1985 81 #1,516 5 #7,309
1980 85 #1,444 6 #6,039
1975 143 #912 13 #3,036
1970 322 #565 12 #2,843
1965 576 #384 25 #1,586
1960 1,106 #270 32 #1,423
1955 2,013 #172 46 #1,104
1950 2,930 #117 39 #1,158
1945 3,350 #84 48 #938
1940 4,079 #57 78 #687
1935 3,797 #56 124 #518
1930 2,544 #97 218 #388
1925 706 #250 288 #344
1920 195 #493 287 #346
1915 128 #573 240 #344
1910 73 #470 26 #564
1905 41 #543 29 #400
1900 49 #487 12 #773
1895 21 #698 6 #1,053
1890 15 #714
1885 21 #466
1880 15 #446

Famous people named Patsy

  1. Patsy Cline Singer · 1932–1963
  2. Patsy Reddy Politician · b. 1954
  3. Patsy Kensit Actor · b. 1968
  4. Patsy Ruth Miller Actor · 1904–1995

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Patsy mean?

A diminutive of the female given name Patricia.

How popular is the name Patsy in 2025?

Patsy ranked #6,059 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 20 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Patsy?

127,161 babies have been named Patsy in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Patsy most popular?

Patsy peaked in 1941, when 4,868 newborns received the name.

Is Patsy a boy or girl name?

Patsy is used for both: about 94% of babies named Patsy have been girls and 6% boys.

Is the name Patsy rising or falling?

Patsy is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Patsy?

Well-known people named Patsy include Patsy Cline (singer), Patsy Reddy (politician), Patsy Kensit (actor).

Names like Patsy

Compare Patsy with similar names →