Gender: Male Meaning of Winston: "wine's town" Origin of Winston: English Winston's Popularity in 2018: #402

The name Winston is a boy's name of English origin meaning "wine's town". Winston is ranked #402 on our popularity charts and is often added to lists like Vintage Baby Names and discussed in our forums with posts like "Baby a Day".

From the experts:

Long associated with the Churchill family and common in the West Indies, the distinguished Winston has tended to be neglected here. The exception was during the World War II period, when Winston Churchill was a towering figure and his name reached Number 234. It's now enjoying something of a renaissance.

Winston Smith is the main character in George Orwell's 1984, is a presence in Pulp Fiction, is the name of a character in the best-selling book and film How Stella Got Her Groove Back, and was the middle name of both John Lennon and John Howard, long-serving Australian Prime Minister. Billie Piper and Laurence Fox named their son Winston in 2008.

With the current trend towards using hero names, we can see this upstanding Anglo-Saxon example making a return.

The nickname Winnie came into the public consciousness with the Winnie-the-Pooh books, but is now almost exclusively feminine--though you can shorten it further to the winning Win.

Minor irritant: Connection to the cigarette brand.

16 names similar to Winston

These 16 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Winston. If you didn't find an alternative name that you like better than Winston, try our name generator. It allows you to go beyond the similarities of a name, which can provide a lot of inspiration!

Find other names based on Winston using our baby name generator.


Winston is #114 on Nameberry

- this week

Famous People Named Winston

Pop Culture References for the name Winston

Wynton, Winstonn, Wynstan, Wynston, Wynstonn, Winsten, Winton


CalliopeJane Says:


This name originates from the old English Wynnstan, meaning joy (wynn) and stone (stan). I don't know where the association of "Wine's Town" came from?

Miriam2468 Says:


I had a bulldog named Winston when I was younger, haha.

Smollie Says:


Never thought much of this until I met a little boy with this name. Now, I'm obsessed. Could Sonny work as a nickname though? I can't think of many nickname options other than Winnie, which I'm not a fan of.

MariposaButterflyaway Says:


It's a butler name. After a Disney binge watch (and having Oliver & Company as a massive part of my childhood) all I can think of is that. It just screams butler.

ladimon Says:


I feel like this would be cute for a girl, nn Winnie.

headintheclouds Says:


Winston sounds stoic, upright and slightly stodgy due to the Winston Churchill association, but I really like it when I imagine a giggly roly-poly baby Winston, an adorable toddler Winston, a mischievous little boy Winston, well-adjusted teenager Winston... I just think it would make a wonderful name for a son who would become successful, and the type who has a close bond with his mother. I also find the nickname Win very positive and appealing.

Impwood Says:


I can only think of Winston Churchill.

Sharon Says:


Sorry but when I hear Winston I think it is or was the name of a brand of cigarette.

clairels Says:


I hear this used for dogs fairly often. Especially bulldogs.

lesliemarion Says:


This is a great name, in my opinion. Hero aspect, plus dignity nameberry alludes to, plus Win is a cute nickname.