Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Winston
BoyEnglish, Old English· “from an English place name”
- Meaning
- from an English place name
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- WIN-stuhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #382
- US babies 2025
- 830
- Best rank
- #234 (1941)
- Peak year
- 2019
Meaning and origin of Winston
Winston is an English and Old English name that is usually said to mean “from an English place name”.
Winston comes from an English surname taken from a place name, usually explained as the settlement of a man called Wine or Wynn, from Old English tun. The Churchill family used Winston as a given name from the seventeenth century onward, and Sir Winston Churchill, British prime minister during the Second World War, gave it lasting fame. For many years it was associated with him above all, but it has become fashionable again as a vintage, distinguished choice. Win and Winnie are friendly nicknames.
Popularity over time
Winston 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 139 different years, starting in 1883. Its best national rank was #234 in 1941, and the most babies received it in 2019, when 860 were named Winston. In 2025, 830 babies were named Winston, and it ranked #382 nationally. That is 51% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #405 in 1920, #399 in 1950, #654 in 1980, #704 in 2000, #882 in 2010, and #382 in 2025. Of the 32,794 US boys named Winston since records began, 17% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 4,676 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Gianni, Kason, Nasir, Ronin, and Jaxton.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Winston ranked highest in Kentucky, North Dakota, and Arkansas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | #137 | 42 |
| North Dakota | #190 | 7 |
| Arkansas | #206 | 18 |
| Montana | #226 | 6 |
| New Hampshire | #228 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 99% of US babies named Winston over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Winston is usually pronounced WIN-stuhn, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with W and ends in “-on”.
Middle names for Winston
A few middle names that flow with Winston: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Winston
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Lists that include Winston
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Winston mean?
Winston is an English and Old English name that is usually said to mean “from an English place name”.
What is the origin of the name Winston?
Winston has English and Old English roots. Winston comes from an English surname taken from a place name, usually explained as the settlement of a man called Wine or Wynn, from Old English tun.
Is Winston a popular name?
Yes. Winston ranked #382 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Winston a boy or girl name?
Winston is mainly a boy's name. About 99% of US babies named Winston over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Winston?
Winston is usually pronounced WIN-stuhn. 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