Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Winnie
GirlEnglish, Welsh· “short form of Winifred or Edwina”
- Meaning
- short form of Winifred or Edwina
- Origin
- English, Welsh
- Pronunciation
- WIH-nee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #475
- US babies 2025
- 646
- Best rank
- #162 (1881)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Winnie
Winnie is an English and Welsh name that is usually said to mean “short form of Winifred or Edwina”.
Winnie began as a nickname for Winifred, from the Welsh Gwenfrewi, which is usually linked to gwen, "white" or "blessed." It was also used for Edwina and Gwendolyn. The name gained lasting charm through Winnie-the-Pooh, the honey-loving bear created by A. A. Milne, whose book was published in 1926. The fictional bear took his name partly from a real black bear called Winnie at the London Zoo. Today Winnie feels sweet, sunny, and vintage, fitting in with names like Hattie and Millie as they return to favor.
Popularity over time
Winnie has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 83 different years. Its best national rank was #162 in 1881, and the most babies received it in 2025, when 646 were named Winnie. In 2025, 646 babies were named Winnie, and it ranked #475 nationally. That is 203% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #294 in 1920, #761 in 1950, #2,390 in 1980, #1,816 in 2000, #2,475 in 2010, and #475 in 2025. Of the 27,109 US girls named Winnie since records began, 16% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 3,965 babies. Since 2010, 4,778 more have been named Winnie.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Romina, Jaylani, Mariam, Kataleya, and Clementine.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Winnie ranked highest in Indiana, Kentucky, and Maine.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana | #225 | 32 |
| Kentucky | #232 | 20 |
| Maine | #257 | 5 |
| Utah | #259 | 18 |
| West Virginia | #272 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Winnie is usually pronounced WIH-nee, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with W and ends in “-ie”.
Middle names for Winnie
A few middle names that flow with Winnie: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Winnie
Similar names
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Lists that include Winnie
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Winnie mean?
Winnie is an English and Welsh name that is usually said to mean “short form of Winifred or Edwina”.
What is the origin of the name Winnie?
Winnie has English and Welsh roots. Winnie began as a nickname for Winifred, from the Welsh Gwenfrewi, which is usually linked to gwen, "white" or "blessed." It was also used for Edwina and Gwendolyn.
Is Winnie a popular name?
Yes. Winnie ranked #475 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Winnie a boy or girl name?
Winnie is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Winnie?
Winnie is usually pronounced WIH-nee. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings