Wenonah
Meaningfirstborn daughter · Dakota
Wenonah is a Native American girl name meaning “firstborn daughter”, with Dakota roots. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name.
Did you know?
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Wenonah would score 13 points, thanks largely to the W (worth 4).
- GenerationWenonah peaked in 1916, which makes it a Greatest Generation name, think great-grandparents.
- HistoryWenonah first shows up in US birth records in 1903, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 122 years since.
US births per million girls, 1903–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Wenonah
Wenonah is a girl name of Native American origin meaning “firstborn daughter”. With 3 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, so a short middle name balances it nicely. It was most fashionable in the 1910s, which gives it a vintage, grandparent-chic charm. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Native American names
Other spellings of Wenonah
More Native American girl names
- Girl name: Savannah · treeless plain
- Unisex name: Dakota · friend, ally
- Girl name: Winona · firstborn daughter
- Girl name: Nayla · achiever, winner
- Girl name: Savanna · treeless grassland
- Girl name: Kaydence · rhythm
- Unisex name: Mika · often beautiful fragrance
- Unisex name: Sora · sky
Questions about the name Wenonah
What does the name Wenonah mean?
Wenonah means “firstborn daughter” and comes from Dakota. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Winona (“firstborn daughter”).
What is the origin of the name Wenonah?
Wenonah is Native American in origin, and its meaning traces back to Dakota. Other Native American names to consider are Savannah (“treeless plain”), Dakota (“friend, ally”), Winona (“firstborn daughter”) and Nayla (“achiever, winner”).
Is Wenonah a boy or girl name?
Wenonah is a girl name.
How popular is the name Wenonah?
Wenonah is rare: fewer than 5 US girls got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2017. It peaked at #1,445 in 1916, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Wenonah?
If you like Wenonah, you might also like Wenona and Winona. Wenona is another spelling of the same name.
What should I know before naming my baby Wenonah?
Wenonah is a Native American girl name meaning “firstborn daughter”, with Dakota roots. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.