Winona

Gender Feminine
Usage English, Sioux
Pronounced Pron. wi-NO-nə(English)  [key·IPA]

Meaning & History

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. Numerous places in the United States have been named after her. The actress Winona Ryder (1971-) was named after the city in Minnesota where she was born.

Related Names

VariantsWynona, Wenona, Wynonna(English)
Other Languages & CulturesWenonah(Literature)
Place Name DescendantWinona(English)

Popularity

People think this name is

classic   formal   upper class   natural   wholesome   refined   strange   complex   serious  

Categories

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Entry updated April 23, 2024