Patti is an English feminine given name that originated as a variant of Patty. It is generally used as a diminutive or short form of Patricia, which itself derives from the Latin word patrician, meaning “noble.” Historically, Patty (and later Patti) was also used as a diminutive of Martha in the 18th century, despite patricia and Martha being unrelated at root. The underlying root name, Martha, comes from the Aramaic word מַרְתָּא (marta), meaning “the lady, the mistress,” and is a feminine form of מַר (mar), meaning “master.” In the New Testament, Martha is the sister of Lazarus and Mary of Bethany (often identified with Mary Magdalene) and witnesses Jesus raising her brother from the dead (John 11). The name only gained popularity in England after the Protestant Reformation. Notable historical bearers include Martha Washington (1731–1802), first lady of the United States. Variants and Diminutives Patti shares a rich network of variants and diminutives in English, including Pat, Patty, Patsy, Pattie, Mattie, and Martie. Its masculine counterpart is Patrick, which also reflects noble origins. Notable Bearers Among historical and public figures, Patti has retained a continued presence since the 20th century. Entertainment icons like Patti LaBelle (born 1944) and Patti Austin (born 1950) have kept the name in contemporary awareness, alongside sportswoman Patti Catalano (born 1953) and actress/author Patti Davis (born 1952). Meaning: “Noble” (via Patricia) or “lady” (via Martha) Origin: English, with long roots in Latin (Patricia) and Aramaic (Martha) Type: Diminutive/first name (feminine) Usage Regions: Predominantly English–speaking world.