Home βΊ Baby Names Directory βΊ Winter
Winter
Pronounced WIN-ter /ΛwΙͺn.tΙr/High
Meaning: From Old English winter meaning the cold season, used as a word name evoking the beauty and stillness of the winter monthsHigh
Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880βpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
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.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- β
Winter the dolphin (2005β2021)Famous bottlenose dolphin at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, subject of the 2011 film Dolphin Tale.
If you like Winterβ¦
Explore names like Winter
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 /ΛwΙͺn.tΙr/ β 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.