Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Winona
GirlNative American· “firstborn daughter”
- Meaning
- firstborn daughter
- Origin
- Native American
- Pronunciation
- wih-NOH-nuh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #627
- US babies 2025
- 466
- Best rank
- #407 (1924)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Winona
Winona is a Native American name that means “firstborn daughter”.
Winona comes from the Dakota language, where it is traditionally used for a firstborn daughter. The name appears in Native American legend and in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem The Song of Hiawatha, where the spelling Wenonah is used for Hiawatha's mother. Winona, Minnesota, takes its name from the same source. The name was used in the United States from the nineteenth century and has become familiar through actress Winona Ryder. It is usually pronounced wih-NOH-nuh. Winona has a warm, vintage feel with strong ties to American history. Nona and Winnie are gentle nicknames.
Popularity over time
Winona 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 81 different years. Its best national rank was #407 in 1924, and the most babies received it in 2025, when 466 were named Winona. In 2025, 466 babies were named Winona, and it ranked #627 nationally. That is 1160% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #455 in 1920, #797 in 1950, #2,602 in 1980, #4,395 in 2000, #6,625 in 2010, and #627 in 2025. Of the 12,953 US girls named Winona since records began, 19% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1930s come next, with 1,888 babies. Since 2010, 2,308 more have been named Winona.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Rivka, Aya, Selene, Andi, and Azaria.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Winona ranked highest in Maine, Wisconsin, and North Dakota.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Maine | #207 | 6 |
| Wisconsin | #252 | 22 |
| North Dakota | #255 | 5 |
| Utah | #329 | 14 |
| Minnesota | #343 | 17 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Winona is usually pronounced wih-NOH-nuh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with W and ends in “-na”.
Middle names for Winona
A few middle names that flow with Winona: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Winona
Similar names
Brianna Girl
bree-AN-uh
“feminine of Brian” · Irish
#222
Athena Girl
uh-THEE-nuh
Greek
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Ximena Girl
hee-MEH-nuh
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Alana Girl
uh-LAN-uh
“feminine form of Alan” · Breton
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Alina Girl
uh-LEE-nuh
“short form of Adelina, 'noble'” · Germanic
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Alaina Girl
uh-LAY-nuh
“feminine form of Alan” · Breton
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Julianna Girl
joo-lee-AN-uh
“from Julius, possibly 'youthful'” · Latin
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Elliana Girl
el-ee-AH-nuh
“my God has answered” · Hebrew
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Alayna Girl
uh-LAY-nuh
“modern spelling of Alaina” · American (modern coinage)
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Mckenna Girl
muh-KEN-uh
“son of Cionaodh” · Irish
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Fiona Girl
fee-OH-nuh
“fair, white” · Scottish
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Adrianna Girl
ay-dree-AN-uh
“from Hadria” · Latin
#872
Lists that include Winona
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Winona mean?
Winona is a Native American name that means “firstborn daughter”.
What is the origin of the name Winona?
Winona has Native American roots. Winona comes from the Dakota language, where it is traditionally used for a firstborn daughter.
Is Winona a popular name?
Yes. Winona ranked #627 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Winona a boy or girl name?
Winona is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Winona?
Winona is usually pronounced wih-NOH-nuh. 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