Winifred is a feminine given name of English origin that has been used throughout history, particularly in the United Kingdom. It is composed of two elements: "wyn" meaning "joy," and "freoð" meaning "peace." Therefore, the name Winifred signifies "joyful peace."
The name Winifred was borne by several notable figures in medieval England. One of the most famous was Saint Winifred, who is said to have lived in the 7th century. According to legend, she was a virtuous young woman who rejected the advances of a prince named Caradoc. In revenge for her refusal, he shot and killed her with an arrow while she was praying at a well. Miraculously, Winifred was restored to life by Saint Beuno, and later became a popular saint in Wales.
The name Winifred fell out of fashion during the 18th century but experienced a revival during the Victorian era in the 19th century when there was renewed interest in medieval names. Today, Winifred is still considered a classic and elegant choice for a baby girl's name, though it is not as common as some other names.
In literature and popular culture, Winifred has been used as a character name in several works. For example, she appears as a supporting character in the Shakespeare play "The Merry Wives of Windsor," and is also the main protagonist in the fantasy novel "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Magician's Nephew" by C.S. Lewis.
Overall, Winifred is a unique and historic name with a strong connection to English heritage and medieval history. Its meaning, "joyful peace," makes it a beautiful choice for parents looking for a name that combines elegance and positivity.
The name Winifred has seen a fluctuating popularity over the years in the United States, with notable occurrences between 1918 and 1926.
In 1918, there were 5 births registered for girls named Winifred. This figure remained consistent in the following year, with another 5 births recorded in 1926.
Interestingly, the popularity of the name peaked in 1919, with a total of 6 births recorded during this year. This slight increase suggests that there was a brief period where the name Winifred was favored by parents more than usual.
Overall, over these eight years, there were a total of 16 girls named Winifred born in the United States. While not a common name, its occurrences in these years show that it held some significance during this time period. However, its popularity has since declined and is now considered quite rare.