Patty originated as a variant of Matty, a 17th-century diminutive of Martha, but is now commonly used as a diminutive of Patricia. The name Martha derives from Aramaic מַרְתָּא (marta) meaning "the lady, the mistress", the feminine form of mar meaning "master". In the New Testament, Martha is the sister of Lazarus and Mary of Bethany, and a witness to Jesus raising her brother from the dead. The name Martha was not used in England until after the Protestant Reformation; notable bearers include Martha Washington (1731-1802), wife of the first U.S. president, and media personality Martha Stewart (1941-).Patty emerged in the 17th century as a variant of Matty, itself a pet form of Martha. Over time, Patty became more closely associated with Patricia, a feminine form of Patrick. Patrick is from Latin Patricius meaning "nobleman", derived from patricius (of the patrician class). The name Patricia gained popularity in the 20th century, and Patty became a common diminutive form.Related variants include Martie, Mattie, Pat, Patsy, Patti, and Pattie. The spelled form with 'ie' or 'y' reflects typical English feminization patterns.Although the Wikipedia entry for Patty describes the food item, not the name, the connection is etymologically independent. The name Patty remains in steady use, particularly in the United States, where it was especially popular mid-20th century and has declined but persists as a classic nickname.Meaning: Originally 'the lady' (through Martha); now often a diminutive of PatriciaOrigin: Aramaic (Martha), Latin (Patricia)Type: Diminutive/pet formUsage regions: English-speaking countries, especially the US