Winifred

Pronunciation: [ w-IHN-ihfr-ihd ]

Girl Name #1,027 Most Popular Hidden Gem 3 Syllables

A Welsh saint's name returning in charming style

Welsh English British American

Vintage Literary Elegant Classic

Meaning & Origin

"holy peacemaking, blessed reconciliation"

Origin: Welsh

Language: English

"white, blessed + peace"

Origin: Old Welsh

Language: Welsh

The Story of Winifred

Winifred is the Anglicized form of the Welsh name Gwenfrewi, derived from 'gwen' (white, fair, blessed) and 'frewi' (reconciliation, peace). Saint Winifred (Gwenfrewi) was a 7th-century Welsh martyr whose holy well at Holywell became one of the most celebrated pilgrimage sites in Britain — often called the 'Lourdes of Wales.' The name was brought into wider English use through the medieval saint's cult and the Reformation.

Winifred peaked in England and America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a darling of the Victorian and Edwardian eras. It fell out of fashion by mid-century but has been part of the vintage name revival of the 2010s and 2020s, alongside Harriet, Edith, and Beatrice. The nickname Winnie — forever tied to Winnie-the-Pooh — keeps it feeling warm and accessible.

Saint Winifred is the patron saint of Wales and North Wales in particular. The holy well at Holywell, Flintshire, has been a place of pilgrimage for over 1,300 years, one of the oldest continuously visited shrines in Britain, making Winifred a name with deep spiritual and national significance in Welsh culture.

Fun Facts

The holy well of Saint Winifred in Holywell, Wales has been a pilgrimage site since the 7th century and is one of the Seven Wonders of Wales
Winifred was among the top 100 names in the US from the 1890s through 1940s, making it a true classic of that era
The nickname Winnie connects the name to both Winnie-the-Pooh and Winnie Mandela, two of the most globally recognized Winnies

Winifred in Other Languages

Irish Muirfhinn

Latin Wenefrida

Welsh Gwenfrewi

French Winifride

Spanish Winifredo

Famous People Named Winifred

Winifred Atwell

Musician

1914

Trinidadian-born pianist who became the first Black artist to have a number-one hit in the UK charts, famous for her boo...

Trinidadian-born pianist who became the first Black artist to have a number-one hit in the UK charts, famous for her boogie-woogie style

Saint Winifred (Gwenfrewi)

Religious

7th-century Welsh martyr and patron saint of Wales; her holy well at Holywell became one of Britain's most enduring pilg...

7th-century Welsh martyr and patron saint of Wales; her holy well at Holywell became one of Britain's most enduring pilgrimage sites

Winifred Sanderson Fictional

Other

The wickedly memorable villain of Disney's 'Hocus Pocus' (1993) and 'Hocus Pocus 2' (2022), portrayed by Bette Midler; l...

The wickedly memorable villain of Disney's 'Hocus Pocus' (1993) and 'Hocus Pocus 2' (2022), portrayed by Bette Midler; leader of the Sanderson Sisters

Winifred Foster Fictional

Other

Protagonist of Natalie Babbitt's beloved 1975 novel 'Tuck Everlasting'; a girl who discovers a family with eternal life ...

Protagonist of Natalie Babbitt's beloved 1975 novel 'Tuck Everlasting'; a girl who discovers a family with eternal life and must choose whether immortality is truly a gift

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 3
Popularity Rank: #1,027
Total SSA Count: 244
Cultural Origins: Welsh English British American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Formal
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Common Nicknames

Winnie Freddie Freda Wynn

Pairs Well With

Winifred Rose Winifred Claire Winifred June Winifred Mae Winifred Louise Winifred Anne Winifred Grace

Sibling Names

Cordelia Harriet Arthur Edmund Beatrice Rupert

Also a Boy Name

Winifred is also used as a boy name, ranked #19771.

View Winifred as a boy name →

Similar Names

Willa Winnifred Rowena Wilma Sigrid Willow Astrid Wynona

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Winifred

What does the name Winifred mean?

"holy peacemaking, blessed reconciliation" (from Welsh). "white, blessed + peace" (from Old Welsh). Winifred is the Anglicized form of the Welsh name Gwenfrewi, derived from 'gwen' (white, fair, blessed) and 'frewi' (reconciliation, peace). Saint Winifred (Gwenfrewi) was a 7th-century Welsh martyr whose holy well at Holywell became one of the most celebrated pilgrimage sites in Britain — often called the 'Lourdes of Wales.' The name was brought into wider English use through the medieval saint's cult and the Reformation.

What is the origin of the name Winifred?

Winifred has Welsh, Old Welsh, English, British, and American origins. In Welsh, it means "holy peacemaking, blessed reconciliation". In Old Welsh, it means "white, blessed + peace".

Is Winifred a boy or girl name?

Winifred is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1027. As a boy name, it is ranked #19771. Winifred is more commonly used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Winifred?

Winifred is pronounced w-IHN-ihfr-ihd.

How popular is the name Winifred?

Winifred is currently ranked #1027 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Winifred?

Common nicknames for Winifred include Winnie, Freddie, Freda, and Wynn.

What are good middle names for Winifred?

Popular middle name pairings include Winifred Rose, Winifred Claire, Winifred June, Winifred Mae, Winifred Louise, Winifred Anne, and Winifred Grace.

What are good sibling names for Winifred?

Names that pair well with Winifred as siblings include Cordelia, Harriet, Arthur, Edmund, Beatrice, and Rupert.

How many syllables does Winifred have?

Winifred has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.

Is Winifred a common or rare name?

Winifred is an uncommon name, ranked #1027 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Winifred

Winifred is a girl name with Welsh, English, British, and American origins . The name means "holy peacemaking, blessed reconciliation" in Welsh .

Is Winifred a boy or girl name? Winifred is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,027 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #19,771. Winifred is more commonly used as a girl name.

Winifred is currently ranked #1,027 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Winifred has 3 syllables and is pronounced w-IHN-ihfr-ihd, making it distinctive and memorable.

Common nicknames for Winifred include Winnie, Freddie, Freda, and Wynn. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.