Winona
Winona is a girls' name of Native American origin meaning “firstborn daughter.” It ranked #627 in the United States in 2025.
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how do you pronounce Winona?
wih-NOH-nah
where does the name Winona come from?
An anglicized form of the Dakota word Winúŋna, firstborn daughter, which was not a personal name among the Dakota before English speakers used it that way; its first element may be related to the word for woman.
Winona is a Dakota Sioux name meaning firstborn daughter, carrying the special status and responsibility that comes with being the eldest. The city of Winona, Minnesota, was named for a legendary Dakota woman. In Dakota culture, the firstborn daughter holds an honored position as a role model and caretaker for younger siblings.
how popular is this name?
Winona has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 82 years since 1880, and fell outside it for 64. It peaked at #405 in 1924, and ranked #627 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #627 |
| 2024 | #734 |
| 2023 | #878 |
| 2022 | #975 |
| 1950 | #794 |
| 1940 | #614 |
| 1930 | #453 |
| 1924 | #405 |
| 1920 | #453 |
| 1910 | #503 |
| 1900 | #885 |
| 1890 | #727 |
| 1880 | #738 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Winona fell outside the top 1,000.
who are famous people named Winona?
- Winona Ryder (acclaimed American actress)
- Winona LaDuke (Ojibwe environmentalist and activist)
what are the nicknames and variants of Winona?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Winona?
what names go well with Winona?
Sibling names that share Winona's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Winona
What does the name Winona mean?
Winona means “firstborn daughter”.
What is the origin of the name Winona?
Winona comes from the Native American naming tradition. Related forms include Wenonah.
How popular is the name Winona?
Winona ranked #627 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1924, at #405, and it has spent 82 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Winona a boy or girl name?
Winona is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Winona?
Winona is pronounced wih-NOH-nah, with 3 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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