The nameWendy

Wendy is a name popularised by Peter Pan. It was a top 30 American name in 1970.

Girl's name
English

Meaning

Wendy was popularised by J. M. Barrie, reportedly inspired by a little girl who called him "fwendy", her way of saying friend. It also shortens Gwendolyn.

Origin

English, with Welsh roots.

History

Wendy Darling appears in Peter Pan in 1904. In the United States Wendy reached 28th place in 1970.

Did you know?

The Wendy's restaurant chain, founded in 1969, is named after the nickname of founder Dave Thomas's daughter.

Famous people named Wendy

Wendy Darling, character in Peter Pan
Wendy Williams, television host
Wendy Wasserstein, playwright

Popularity of the name Wendy

Wendy in the United States

1095thmost popular girls' name in the United States in 2024

1967peak year (11,258 births)

263,112babies named Wendy in the United States since 1880

Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Wendy was most popular in the United States in the 1960s, with 89,213 births over the decade, 34% of all recorded babies named Wendy. Its rise began around 1948, and it peaked in 1967. Half of all babies named Wendy in the United States were born before 1969, so it is mostly a parents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 197 births a year on average, against 268 in the five years before.

Wendy in the United Kingdom

1874thmost popular girls' name in the United Kingdom in 2025

1999peak year (32 births)

539babies named Wendy in the United Kingdom since 1997

Births per year in the United Kingdom. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), names given at least 3 times a year.

Wendy was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 190 births over the decade, 35% of all recorded babies named Wendy. Half of all babies named Wendy in the United Kingdom were born before 2009, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers.

Wendy in Ireland

1977peak year (71 births)

1,063babies named Wendy in Ireland since 1964

Births per year in Ireland. Source: Central Statistics Office, names given at least 3 times a year.

Wendy in France

585thmost popular girls' name in France, latest official figures

1994peak year (1,145 births)

14,240babies named Wendy in France since 1900

Births per year in France. Source: Insee, French national statistics office, latest official figures. Rounded numbers.

Wendy in Belgium

1995peak year (144 births)

886babies named Wendy in Belgium since 1995

Births per year in Belgium. Source: Statbel, names given at least 5 times a year.

Sibling names for Wendy

Names from the same generation as Wendy, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Wendy? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Wendy in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Wendy mean?

Wendy was popularised by J. M. Barrie, reportedly inspired by a little girl who called him "fwendy", her way of saying friend. It also shortens Gwendolyn.

What is the origin of the name Wendy?

English, with Welsh roots.

Is Wendy a girl's or a boy's name?

Wendy is a girl's name.

How popular is the name Wendy?

In 2024, Wendy was the 1095th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 224 births.

What are good sibling names for Wendy?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Nancy, Pamela, Sandra and Claudia for a sister, Gary, Bobby, Brendan and Cedric for a brother.

Who are famous people named Wendy?

Wendy Darling, character in Peter Pan; Wendy Williams, television host; Wendy Wasserstein, playwright.