Winifred

  • [ WIN-i-frid ]
  • Welsh, English
Anglicized form of GWENFREWI, the spelling altered by association with WINFRED. It became used in England in the 16th century.

GWENFREWI   female   Welsh
Derived from the Welsh elements gwen "white, fair, blessed" and frewi "reconciliation, peace". This was the name of a 7th-century Welsh saint and martyr.
WINFRED   male   English
Means "friend of peace" from the Old English elements wine "friend" and friþ "peace". This was the birth name of the 8th-century missionary Saint Boniface. It became rare after the Norman conquest, though it was revived in the 19th century.
EQUIVALENTS
ENGLISH: Winifred, Winnifred
WELSH: Gwenfrewi, Winifred, Winnifred
DIMINUTIVES AND SHORT FORMS
ENGLISH: Freda, Freddie, Winnie
OTHER FORMS
ANCIENT GERMANIC: Winifrid
ANGLO-SAXON: Winfrith, Winfrið
ENGLISH: Winfred
GERMAN: Winfried