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Winter

♀ Girl

Pronounced WIN-ter /ˈwɪn.tər/High

Meaning: From Old English winter meaning the cold season, used as a word name evoking the beauty and stillness of the winter monthsHigh

In 30 seconds: Winter is a crisp, evocative Old English season name that captures the quiet beauty of snow and frost — a bold, atmospheric choice for parents who love names drawn from the natural world.
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Origin HighOld English
MeaningFrom Old English winter meaning the cold season, used as a word name evoking the beauty and stillness of the winter months
U.S. rank (2025)#426 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births732 girls (0.04% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2022
Total births (all-time)≈ 15,606

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202219542025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Winter derives from Old English winter, the cold season of the year. As a given name it belongs to the tradition of season and nature word names that have been used sporadically throughout the English-speaking world.

Winter began appearing meaningfully on U.S. birth records in the late 20th century and has accelerated in the 21st century, aided by a broader fashion for dramatic, atmospheric names.

Did you know? Winter is one of the four season names used as given names in English — along with Summer, Autumn, and Spring — but Winter has the most edge, evoking both cold beauty and inner strength.
Overall data confidence 95%
Behind the Name — Winter — word name historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

Wynter

Nicknames

WinWinnie

Famous Bearers

  • ★Winter the dolphin (2005–2021)
    Famous bottlenose dolphin at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, subject of the 2011 film Dolphin Tale.

If you like Winter…

Autumn— the most popular of the season names, sharing the same atmospheric natural beauty
Summer— the warm counterpart season name with the same breezy, word-name appeal
Storm— shares the dramatic atmospheric word-name energy and bold, elemental feel
Frost— shares the icy winter imagery and the same crisp, one-syllable nature-word punch

Frequently Asked

What does the name Winter mean?

Winter means the cold season of the year from Old English; used as a word name for its natural beauty and quiet strength.

How do you pronounce Winter?

It is said WIN-ter /ˈwɪn.tər/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Winter a popular name?

Winter has been rising in the U.S. since the late 1990s and is now inside the top 300 girls' names.

Is Winter a boy or girl name?

Winter is used primarily as a girls' name in the United States, though it occasionally appears for boys.