Winnie-the-Pooh, the lovable bear created by British author A. A. Milne, is celebrating a major milestone in 2026. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the publication of the original “Winnie-the-Pooh” book.

An Unusual Name

A collection of stuffed animals served as the inspiration for Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends. Meanwhile, the source of Winnie’s unique name can be found in two real animals.

The first was a bear named Winnipeg, or “Winnie” for short. She was the mascot of a Canadian military unit and was named after the city of Winnipeg.

The second was a swan that Milne’s young son encountered on vacation and called Pooh. In honor of the two animals, the boy changed the name of his teddy bear to Winnie-the-Pooh.

A Beloved Book

An early version of the bear appeared in a book of children’s poetry published in 1924. Two years later, “Winnie-the-Pooh,” a collection of stories based on imaginative tales Milne created for his son, was published.

It was quickly embraced by children around the world. Translated into more than 50 languages, the book has never gone out of print and is now widely hailed as a masterpiece of children’s literature.