Name meaning & originWinona
/wee-NOH-nah/
Winona is a Dakota girl's name pronounced /wee-NOH-nah/. This name traditionally identifies a first-born daughter in a family.
Share this name
Meaning of Winona
This name traditionally identifies a first-born daughter in a family.
Winona is a traditional Dakota name derived from the word 'Winyan', meaning woman, and specifically 'Winuna', which denotes the first-born daughter. In Siouan culture, the name served as a birth-order title, carrying specific familial and social expectations for the eldest female child.
- Origin
- Dakota
- Pronunciation
- /wee-NOH-nah/
Cultural background
While originally a significant Dakota kinship term, the name gained broader usage in the United States during the 19th and 20th centuries. It remains a popular namesake for locations across North America, including cities in Minnesota and Mississippi.
Variations & nicknames
- Wynona
- Wenonah
- Winnie
- Wynonna
- Winonah
Famous people named Winona
Well-known namesakes — celebrities, historical figures and characters.
Winona Ryder
Academy Award-nominated American actress known for Beetlejuice and Stranger Things.
Film · 1980s-present
Wynonna Judd
Multi-platinum country music singer and member of The Judds.
Music · 1980s-present
Winona LaDuke
Anishinaabe economist, environmentalist, and two-time Green Party vice-presidential nominee.
Politics · 1990s-present
Winona Ladell
Protagonist of the 19th-century 'Legend of Winona' in Dakota folklore.
Folklore · 19th century
Wynona Lipman
The first African American woman elected to the New Jersey State Senate.
Politics · 1970s-1990s
Frequently asked about Winona
- What does Winona mean?
- Winona is a Dakota Sioux name meaning 'first-born daughter'.
- How do you pronounce Winona?
- It is typically pronounced 'wih-NOH-nuh'.
- Is Winona a boy or girl name?
- Winona is traditionally a feminine name used for girls.
- Is Winona a Native American name?
- Yes, it originates from the Dakota language, part of the Siouan language family.
Love Winona? Get more names like it
We'll email you 5 fresh Dakota names each week — free, no spam.
By signing up you agree to get these name emails. We use your email only for them; unsubscribe any time from privacy requests. See our privacy policy. 18+ only.
Compare Winona with…
Side-by-side meaning, sound and popularity.