Goodwin is an Anglo-Saxon name of Old English origin, derived from the words 'god' and 'wine'. It historically referred to a friend or companion of God, indicating a sense of divine favor. The name was borne by several notable historical figures, including Goodwin Knight (d.1396), an English knight who served in the retinue of King Richard II. Goodwin has also been used as a surname and is still in use today, primarily in English-speaking countries.
The name Goodwin experienced varying popularity over the years, with a notable peak during World War I, particularly in 1917 and 1918 when it reached its highest points with 17 and 18 births respectively. However, after the war, the frequency of the name Goodwin declined significantly, with most years seeing fewer than 10 births. The name saw a brief resurgence in the late 20th century with 6 births in 2006. Overall, there were a total of 256 births named Goodwin from 1911 to 2006.