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My sister is named Patricia. She's in her early 20's. Growing up she was always called Patricia but it got shortened to Trisha or Trish in her teens. Except when we used to tease her by calling her Trash!

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It's totally usable and would be pleasantly fresh.

Sorry but I hope not. Patricia makes me shudder. I've never liked it. And I hate all the nickname options too. It's the name equivalent of nails on a chalkboard to me!

It's taking Dorothy's place.

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I do think it will reach that point soon. Not just yet, but it is impending. I remember when Dorothy was in the same position. Now Dorothy is very cutting edge AND it has reentered the top 1000. It's the same deal.

This message was edited 6/17/2012, 5:46 PM

I think Patricia is lovely. I also think Pamela, which is similar to me, is also very pretty. I think you shouldn't have to wait for it to be revived, you should go ahead and use it if you like it.

There's something kind of elegant about it. I think it works best without nicknames, which I rarely think.

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I knew this girl named Patricia. She was kind of a betch. Her middle name was Inez, which is kind of pretty. But her last name started with a G. Hahahahaha!

My name is Patricia, it was my grandmother's name as well

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I don't think Patricia is up for making a revival just yet. But it's really hard to say: I've noticed heaps of little ones running around with Patricia as a middle name, honoring I assume. It's definitely still in use but not so much as a first name. There were only 421 born last year...

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I think one of the larger issues with the decline in popularity is that most people see nicknames as a problem. Pat, Trish, Tish, Tricia, Patty, Patsy, etc. are not the most attractive and they're quite dated. There are lots of other nicknames out there that are much more uncommon and really adorable: Pia, Pippa, Pippi, Trixie, Atti, Paisie / Pacey, Pixie, Pasha, etc.

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Then there is the issue of the first generations of Patricia's. They're getting up in age and so the image most people have is of much older women. It has become the name of a grandmother. I know, as a Patricia myself, that when someone sees your name written before they actually meet you, quite a few assume you're an older woman. Which isn't the most fun, especially when you're younger.

No, I don't think so. It was still common in the 60s so I think it needs another 40 years or so to make a comeback. Probably even longer as it was still used quite a bit in the 80s.

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To be honest I dislike it. I hate the -isha and -eesha sound, though. I can't stand Alicia and Laetitia pronounced with an -isha or -eesha sound either. I like them pronounced as ah-lee-see-ah or ah-liss-ee-ah and leh-tee-see-ah, though. I also can't stand the nicknames Patty, Pat and Patsy. Even worse: Tish, Tisha, Trish and Trisha. Sorry.

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If you love it you should still use it. It is definitely usable. And could also be used as a middle name.

This message was edited 6/17/2012, 9:08 AM

It's my grandmother's name, too.

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She goes by Pat, but if it were my name, I'd go by Tricia or Trish. Pat is too androgynous.

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I think it's a name that could use some dusting off. It's pretty and it sounds smart.

Maybe not for a few more years. I like it too, it's very pretty. I don't care for Patty or Pat or Trish or even Tricia though, and it seems rare to meet a Patricia who goes by the full name.

It's my sister's name. I have that funny little feeling towards it that you have towards the name of a family member, kind of like you have a vested interest in it. My sister is fifty years old---though not a grandmother, and very unlikely to become a grandmother any time soon, since she had children late. My sister is always called Patty.

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I like the name Patricia---it's soft, flowing, long, elegant. I can see why it was so popular for so long. I know that my sister does not appreciate having such a common name, though.

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I don't think it will be ready for a revival any time soon. I don't see that happening, if it happens, for another forty years or so. It needed an even longer rest than it's currently had, because it was popular for a long, long time.

I don't think it will be making a major comeback anytime soon, but I think it's a nice name! I don't think it needs to be making a comeback for you to seriously consider using it either. I'd love to see a little Patricia!