Patricia (IPA: /pəˈtrɪʃə/) is a common female given name of Latin origin. It is erived from the Latin word patrician, meaning "noble". The masculine form of the name is Patrick. The name Patricia was the second most common female name in the United States according to the 1990 US Census. It is commonly shortened to 'Pat', 'Patsy', 'Patty/Pattie/Patti', 'Trish', 'Trisha/Tricia', or 'Trixie'. These diminutives are sometimes used as names in their own rights.