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Home › Baby Names Directory › Goodwin

Goodwin

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Goodwin

Pronounced GOOD-win /ˈɡʊd.wɪn/High

Meaning: Goodwin comes directly from Old English god 'good' and wine 'friend,' meaning 'good friend'; it was an established Anglo-Saxon personal name long before it became an English surname.Medium

In 30 seconds: Goodwin is a genuine Old English name meaning 'good friend.' It has appeared quietly across more than a century of American records, peaking early around 1918 (said GOOD-win).
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Origin MediumOld English, English
MeaningGoodwin comes directly from Old English god 'good' and wine 'friend,' meaning 'good friend'; it was an established Anglo-Saxon personal name long before it became an English surname.
U.S. rank (2006)#11113 ↘ Falling
2006 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1918
Total births (all-time)≈ 256
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Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 191819112006

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Goodwin is an authentic Old English compound, joining god 'good' with wine 'friend,' meaning 'good friend.' It was carried by Anglo-Saxon nobles, including Earl Godwin of Wessex, before becoming widespread as a surname in medieval England.

As a first name in the United States Goodwin has stayed rare throughout, given to only about twenty boys a year even at its early peak around 1918, though it has surfaced steadily in small numbers clear into the 2000s.

Did you know? Goodwin was already a real Anglo-Saxon personal name a thousand years ago, borne by earls and thegns, long before it settled into everyday use as a surname.
Overall data confidence 70%
References - Goodwin — Old English god 'good' + wine 'friend'; Earl Godwin of Wessex

Variations

GodwinGoodwynGodwyn

Nicknames

WoodyWin

Famous Bearers

  • ★Godwin, Earl of Wessex (c. 1001-1053)
    Powerful Anglo-Saxon earl and father of King Harold II of England.

If you like Goodwin…

Godwin— the original Old English spelling
Edwin— shares the '-win' 'friend' ending
Irwin— another vintage Old English '-win' name
Graysin— the same surname-name feel
Gracin— the same surname-name feel

Explore names like Goodwin

By themevintagesurname-nameold-englishfriendship

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Goodwin mean?

It is Old English for 'good friend,' from god 'good' and wine 'friend.'

How do you pronounce Goodwin?

It is said GOOD-win /ˈɡʊd.wɪn/, two syllables with the stress on the first.

Is Goodwin a boy or girl name?

Goodwin is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Goodwin?

It has always been rare in the United States as a first name, given to only about twenty boys a year even at its early peak around 1918.

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