Its name seems to refer to the local dialectal word patti meaning "puddle".

The de jure border of Sweden and Novgorod according to Treaty of Oreshek may have been at the river, however it may have also been the Pyhäjoki further south.

[1] Pattijoki was first mentioned in 1546 as a part of the Saloinen parish, which at the time was called Salo.

The area of Vihanti was originally a wilderness used as hunting grounds by the people of Pattijoki and Saloinen.

The municipality has been called Pattijoki since the early 20th century, becoming the official name in 1920.