Winifred is a feminine given name of Germanic origin. It is composed of the elements "win" meaning "joy" and "frith" meaning "peace". Therefore, the name Winifred signifies "joyful peace".
The name was popularized by Saint Winifred, whose legend dates back to the 7th century. According to the story, Winifred was a virtuous young woman living in Wales who attracted many suitors. One of them, Caradoc, tried to force himself upon her. In order to protect herself, Winifred ran away and hid in a cave where she prayed for protection from God.
Caradoc followed her into the cave and attempted to violate her again. As he lifted his hand to strike her, it suddenly became paralyzed. Winifred then cursed him with the loss of his eyesight if he did not repent. Caradoc eventually apologized and asked for forgiveness.
As a sign of penance, Winifred cut off one of her breasts and offered it to God. A spring flowed from where the breast touched the ground. Caradoc was then cured of his paralysis and regained his sight. He converted to Christianity and became a monk.
Winifred went on to become a nun and devoted herself to helping others. She is considered the patron saint of Wales, and her feast day is celebrated on November 3rd. Due to this association with the saint, the name Winifred has been predominantly used in Wales.
In English-speaking countries, the name Winifred was most popular during the late 19th century but has since become less common. However, it continues to be used occasionally and is considered a classic name with a strong historical background. Some variations of the name include Freda, Freddie, and Wini.
Winefred is a unique and distinctive name that has been given to babies born in the United States over several decades, with its popularity fluctuating throughout the years. According to the statistics provided, Winefred was given to babies in every decade between the 1910s and the 1940s.
The peak year for births with the name Winefred was in 1918, with a total of 14 babies being named Winefred that year. This is more than double the number of babies named Winefred in any other year listed in the statistics. It's interesting to note that this peak occurred during World War I, which ended in 1918.
After the peak year, the number of births with the name Winefred decreased significantly. In the following years, there were between 5 and 10 babies named Winefred each year. This suggests that while Winefred was still being used as a baby name, it was not as popular as it had been in 1918.
Overall, throughout the years listed in the statistics, a total of 105 babies were named Winefred in the United States. This shows that while Winefred may not have been one of the most common names given to babies during this time period, it was still used with some frequency.
It's also worth noting that the use of unique and distinctive names like Winefred can reflect cultural trends and personal preferences within families. Some parents may choose a less common name for their child as a way to make them stand out or to honor family history in a meaningful way. Whatever the reason, it's clear that Winefred has been an enduring choice for parents looking for a distinctive name for their baby.