Winona
From Dakota winúŋna (“firstborn daughter”).
Every Winona since 1880 — 12,953 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Winona
Winona is uncommon for girls in the United States, ranked #627 in 2025 with 466 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 12,953 American babies have been named Winona. Its peak came in 2025, when 466 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Winona stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Winona year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 466 | #627 |
| 2024 | 384 | #734 |
| 2023 | 306 | #880 |
| 2022 | 273 | #977 |
| 2021 | 175 | #1,300 |
| 2020 | 154 | #1,421 |
| 2019 | 127 | #1,666 |
| 2018 | 96 | #2,047 |
| 2017 | 77 | #2,382 |
| 2016 | 69 | #2,592 |
| 2015 | 37 | #4,066 |
| 2014 | 37 | #4,097 |
| 2013 | 33 | #4,416 |
| 2012 | 34 | #4,381 |
| 2011 | 20 | #6,551 |
| 2010 | 20 | #6,625 |
| 2009 | 16 | #8,036 |
| 2008 | 15 | #8,503 |
| 2007 | 25 | #5,700 |
| 2006 | 22 | #6,116 |
| 2005 | 16 | #7,481 |
| 2004 | 17 | #7,067 |
| 2003 | 16 | #7,195 |
| 2002 | 22 | #5,441 |
| 2001 | 18 | #6,309 |
| 2000 | 28 | #4,395 |
| 1995 | 29 | #3,777 |
| 1990 | 34 | #3,296 |
| 1985 | 23 | #3,727 |
| 1980 | 37 | #2,602 |
| 1975 | 46 | #1,962 |
| 1970 | 48 | #1,857 |
| 1965 | 73 | #1,262 |
| 1960 | 90 | #1,155 |
| 1955 | 105 | #977 |
| 1950 | 119 | #797 |
| 1945 | 99 | #757 |
| 1940 | 129 | #617 |
| 1935 | 173 | #480 |
| 1930 | 221 | #454 |
| 1925 | 270 | #421 |
| 1920 | 222 | #455 |
| 1915 | 192 | #444 |
| 1910 | 65 | #513 |
| 1905 | 35 | #599 |
| 1900 | 18 | #916 |
| 1895 | 20 | #724 |
| 1890 | 14 | #756 |
| 1885 | 14 | #606 |
| 1880 | 6 | #833 |
Famous people named Winona
- Winona Ryder Actor · b. 1971
- Winona LaDuke Economist · b. 1959
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Winona mean?
From Dakota winúŋna (“firstborn daughter”).
How popular is the name Winona in 2025?
Winona ranked #627 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 466 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Winona?
12,953 babies have been named Winona in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Winona most popular?
Winona peaked in 2025, when 466 newborns received the name.
Is Winona a boy or girl name?
Winona is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Winona rising or falling?
Winona is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Winona?
Well-known people named Winona include Winona Ryder (actor), Winona LaDuke (economist).