Winston

boyOld English

Winston is an boy name of Old English origin, meaning “Friend's settlement”.

MeaningFriend's settlement
GenderBoy
OriginOld English
PronunciationWIN-stun
TraditionModern & Classic
Used inUnited Kingdom, United States, Jamaica

Meaning and origin of Winston

Winston comes from an English place name, probably meaning the farmstead or town of a man called Wine, from Old English wine 'friend' and tun 'settlement'. It was a family name of the Churchills, and Sir Winston Churchill, Britain's wartime prime minister, made it famous worldwide.

Is Winston a religious name?

Winston is a general name with no religious background.

How popular is Winston?

Used steadily in English-speaking countries, especially the Caribbean.

Gifts with the name Winston

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Spellings and variants of Winston

WinWinnie

Names similar to Winston

More boy names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Winston mean?

Winston means 'Friend's settlement'. It is of Old English origin.

Does Winston have a religious meaning?

Winston is a general name with no religious background.

How do you pronounce Winston?

Winston is pronounced WIN-stun.

Is Winston a boy or girl name?

Winston is usually a boy name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.