Winona: Meaning, origin and popularity
Pronounced wih-NOH-nuh · 3 syllables
Winona means “firstborn daughter”, from Native American.
From Dakota winu na (“firstborn daughter”). While not originally used as a personal name by the Dakota, it has been adopted as such by English speakers. John Koontz suggested that the name was a compound of wi- (“female”) + no (“first”) + -na (a diminutive suffix) and thus a reflex of Proto-Siouan *ro/*no (“one”).
- Meaning
- firstborn daughter
- Origin
- Native American
- Pronunciation
- wih-NOH-nuh
- US rank (2025)
- #627
- US babies a year
- about 321 (2021–2025)
- Peak
- around 1920
- Style
- Vintage, Comeback, Rising
How popular is Winona?
Winona was the #627 name in the US in 2025, given to 466 babies. It’s rising: up 896% on 2011–2015. It peaked around 1920.
Around the world
| Country | Rank |
|---|---|
| United States | #627 |
| Australia | #974 |
How old are people named Winona?
Half of US adults named Winona are older than 65; most are between 26 and 90. (Estimated from US births by year and life tables.)
Names like Winona
Chosen by the same families or with a similar style and era.
Questions about Winona
What does the name Winona mean?
Winona means “firstborn daughter”. It comes from Native American.
How do you pronounce Winona?
Winona is pronounced wih-NOH-nuh.
How popular is the name Winona?
Winona was the #627 name in the US in 2025, given to 466 babies. It’s rising: up 896% on 2011–2015. It peaked around 1920.
How old are people named Winona?
Half of US adults named Winona are older than 65. Most are between 26 and 90.