Find out how popular the first name Winnie has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Winnie by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Winnie is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 485 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Winnie.

The history of the first name Winnie

The name Winnie derives from the Old English word "wyn," meaning joy, pleasure, or delight. Its origins can be traced back to the 7th century, when it was a common name among the Anglo-Saxons. Winnie is a diminutive form of the name Winifred, which also has roots in Old English and means "blessed peacemaking."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Winnie can be found in the epic poem Beowulf, which dates back to the 8th or 9th century. In this ancient work, a character named Wynfrith is mentioned, which is a variant spelling of Winifred.

During the Middle Ages, the name Winnie gained popularity across Europe, particularly in England and Wales. One notable figure from this period was Winnie, the wife of King Alfred the Great, who ruled from 871 to 899 AD. She played a significant role in the cultural and educational reforms of her husband's reign.

In the 16th century, a famous English explorer named Walter Raleigh had a daughter named Winnie, who was born in 1586. She was named after her maternal grandmother, Winifred.

Another prominent historical figure with the name Winnie was Winnie Davis, the youngest daughter of Jefferson Davis, the President of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. She was born in 1864 and became known as the "Daughter of the Confederacy" after her father's death.

In the 20th century, one of the most famous individuals with the name Winnie was Winnie-the-Pooh, the beloved fictional bear created by author A.A. Milne in 1926. The character's name was inspired by a Canadian black bear named Winnie, who lived at the London Zoo during World War I and was a popular attraction.

Another notable Winnie was Winnie Mandela, the former wife of Nelson Mandela and a prominent figure in the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa. She was born in 1936 and played a crucial role in the struggle for freedom and equality.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Winnie was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Winnie, please contact us.

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