Patrocinio

• Origin: Portuguese & Spanish
• Gender: Unisex
• Meaning: “patronage; sponsorship.”
• Diminutives: Cinia/Cinio, Patro, Patri, Patrito, Patrocinita/Patrocinito

The name is taken from one of the many titles of the Virgin Mary, La Virgen del Patrocinio, meaning “The Virgin of Patronage.” It is technically a unisex name but has traditionally been far more common among females in Spain.

It is now a rather dated name in Spain, the average bearer’s age being 73.

Its designated name day in Spain is August 15.

Other forms include the strictly feminine Patrocinia and Patrocínia (Brazilian Portuguese), as well as the Brazilian Portuguese Patrocínio, which is predominantly masculine; and the Catalan Patrocini (unisex).

Patro has also occurred as an independent feminine given-name.

The name was notably borne by Spanish poet and writer Patrocinio de Biedma y la Moneda (1845/48–1927); Spanish nun Sor Patrocinio (1811–1891); Argentine folk and tango singer Patrocinia “Patrocinio” Díaz (1905–1969); and Filipino revolutionary Patrocinio Gamboa (1865–1953).

Sources

• https://www.behindthename.com/name/patrocinio
• https://www.behindthename.com/name/patrocinia
• https://colectivacuriosidad.com/nombres/patrocinio
• https://es.paperblog.com/antroponimos-5389746/
• https://www.serpadres.es/bebe/13161
• Acadèmia Valenciana de la Llengua. Vocabulari de noms de persona. 2nd ed. València: Publicacions de l’Acadèmia Valenciana de la Llengua, 2017.