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Every March, people around the world don their greenest clothes, raise a pint, and cheer “Happy St. Patty’s Day!”
But here’s the thing: there is no St. Patty.
Well, technically there was a St. Patty—but she wasn’t the saint we celebrate on March 17. More on that in a moment. First, let’s clear up a bit of linguistic confusion.
Patrick, Paddy, and Patty
In Ireland, March 17 honors St. Patrick—the fifth-century missionary who spread Christianity across the island. In Irish, his name is Pádraig (pronounced Paw-drig or Paw-rick depending on dialect). From Pádraig we get the nickname Paddy—never Patty.
Why not Patty? Because Patty is short for Patricia, a woman’s name. You might find some Pattys in Ireland, but none of them are the patron saint of the country.
And while Patrick can also shorten to Pat, we don’t say St. Pat’s Day either. There’s no strict rule for this; it’s just not how the language evolved.
So, if you want to celebrate like the Irish, here are your correct options:
- “Happy St. Patrick’s Day”
- “Happy Paddy’s Day” (we drop the “St.” in this version)
- Or, if you’re feeling bold, try the Irish:
- Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona duit (singular “you”)
- Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh (plural “you”)
- Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona duit (singular “you”)
Who Was St. Patty?
The real St. Patty was St. Patricia of Naples, also known as St. Patricia of Constantinople. She lived in the seventh century and became famous for a grisly miracle: According to legend, nearly 600 years after her death, blood flowed from her mouth when a knight pulled one of her teeth out in 1214. Not exactly the kind of image that fits with shamrocks and parades.
So yes, there was a St. Patty—but she has nothing to do with Ireland’s March 17 festivities.
St. Patrick, the Linguist?
Since we’re all language lovers here, it’s worth noting that St. Patrick himself had an unusual relationship with language. Born in Roman Britain, he likely grew up speaking a mix of Latin and a Brittonic Celtic language (similar to Welsh). After being kidnapped and enslaved in Ireland, he learned Old Irish as well. Later, when he returned as a missionary, he wrote in Latin, but his works contain many Irish loanwords and turns of phrase—little linguistic fingerprints showing the fusion of cultures. He would have spoken and preached in Old Irish.
So, next time March 17 rolls around, raise your glass to Patrick or Paddy—but leave Patty to Naples.
Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh!
