Is Winifred a boy's or girl's name?

Winifred is primarily a girl's name. It is also used as a boy's name, with 1,106 recorded births.

When was Winifred most popular?

Winifred reached its peak popularity in 1918 with 1,593 births that year. It is currently ranked #1031 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Winifred?

Winifred is currently ranked #1031 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 44,809 babies since 1880.

Winifred

An uncommon Welsh pick — distinctive and rare.

Girl's name| Also boysWelshRising fast Also a pet name

#1031▼ 68in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A female given name from Welsh.

Winifred is a girl's and boy's baby name of Welsh origin, the anglicized form of the Welsh Gwenfrewi, composed of gwen (white, fair, blessed) and frewi (reconciliation, peace), meaning "blessed reconciliation" or "holy peace." Saint Winifred was a 7th-century Welsh martyr.

With nearly 45,000 U.S. births recorded, Winifred has been a beloved name for generations — known affectionately as Winnie, one of the most endearing of all nicknames. It is enjoying a renaissance as parents rediscover its Victorian grandeur and the irresistible warm nickname it yields.

Compare Winifred with another name

Popularity Over Time

Winifred climbed 4926 spots in the last 20 years — from #5957 to #1031.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Winifred
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	1,199	#1052	▲
2010s	1,095	#2587	▲
2000s	255	#5286	▲
1990s	191	#5664	▼
1980s	213	#4159	▼
1970s	461	#2159	▼
1960s	1,252	#978	▼
1950s	2,501	#582	▼
1940s	3,724	#381	▼
1930s	5,289	#269	▼
1920s	12,083	#182	▲
1910s	10,255	#157	▲
1900s	2,689	#187	▲
1890s	2,293	#174	▲
1880s	1,309	#160	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Winifred
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	244	#1031	-25 (-9.3%)
2023	269	#963	+40 (17.5%)
2022	229	#1092	-6 (-2.6%)
2021	235	#1071	+13 (5.9%)
2020	222	#1103	+29 (15.0%)
2019	193	#1215	+39 (25.3%)
2018	154	#1439	-15 (-8.9%)
2017	169	#1371	+22 (15.0%)
2016	147	#1540	-13 (-8.1%)
2015	160	#1447	+60 (60.0%)
2014	100	#1995	+29 (40.8%)
2013	71	#2531	+22 (44.9%)
2012	49	#3358	+19 (63.3%)
2011	30	#4799	+8 (36.4%)
2010	22	#6172	-16 (-42.1%)
2009	38	#4101	+9 (31.0%)
2008	29	#5135	+6 (26.1%)
2007	23	#6075	-4 (-14.8%)
2006	27	#5224	0
2005	27	#4950	+6 (28.6%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Winifred as a Boy's Name

While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Winifred has also been given to 1,106 boys in the U.S. since 1882.

Unranked

Current rank

1,106

Total births

1918

Peak year

Compare Winifred as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked

Can Winifred be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Winifred is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #1031. As a boy's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Winifred has two lives

Winifred, the baby name

#1031girls

44,809 babies

Currently viewing

Winifred, the pet name

#1875pet name

54 pets

View pet page →

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology