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The short answer
Winona is a feminine name used in English and Sioux. Behind the Name describes it this way: "Means ‘firstborn daughter’ in Dakota or Lakota. According to folklore, this was the name of a daughter of a Dakota chief (possibly Wapasha III) who leapt from a cliff to her death rather than marry a man she hated." It ranked #627 for girls in the United States in 2025.
Meaning and etymology
According to Behind the Name, means ‘firstborn daughter’ in Dakota or Lakota. According to folklore, this was the name of a daughter of a Dakota chief (possibly Wapasha III) who leapt from a cliff to her death rather than marry a man she hated. The entry lists its usage as English, Sioux.
Editorial confidence: likely
Popularity
Winona ranked #627 for girls in the United States in 2025. The figure comes from the Social Security Administration's national file for that year.
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | #627 | ssa-2025 |
If you like this name
Names that Behind the Name files under the same origin (English) and that sit near Winona in the 2025 American rankings.
Similar by origin
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Winona mean?
Winona means "firstborn daughter", according to Behind the Name.
Is Winona a popular name?
Winona ranked #627 for girls in the United States in 2025. (Social Security Administration data).
Is Winona a boy's or a girl's name?
In the 2025 SSA data Winona appears in the girls' list; Behind the Name labels it feminine.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Winona — supports meaning, usage, pronunciation, variants.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.
