"holy peacemaking, blessed reconciliation"
Origin: Welsh
Language: English
Winifred
Pronunciation: [ w-IHN-ihfr-ihd ]
Does Winifred flow with your last name?
A Welsh saint's name returning in charming style
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English
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Meaning & Origin
"white, blessed + peace"
Origin: Old Welsh
Language: Welsh
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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.
Historical Record
Winifred first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 7,167 babies have been named Winifred in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Winifred is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #1,027 for girl names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#1,027
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Winifred
W
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
S
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
W
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
W
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
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Compare Winifred with:
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
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Winifred
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Winifred is also used as a boy name, ranked #19771.
View Winifred as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Welsh)
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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.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis