Is It St. Patty or St. Paddy? We Asked an Irish Culture Expert

Take the original Irish spelling into account when abbreviating St. Patrick’s Day.

So which is it, and does it actually matter?

In fact, the name Patrick is an Anglicized spelling of the Gaelic name Padraig.

“It’s colloquially OK to drop the ‘St.’

‘Paddy’s Day’ is fine.”

Long adds, “Either way, Paddynot Pattyis the way to go.”

Who Was St. Patrick, Anyway?

When spoken, “St. Patty” and “St. Paddy” can sound almost identical, after all.

So it’s an honest mistakeno judgment!