Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Wanda
GirlPolish, Slavic· “uncertain, perhaps from the Vandals”
- Meaning
- uncertain, perhaps from the Vandals (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Polish, Slavic
- Pronunciation
- WAHN-duh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #6,096
- US babies 2025
- 20
- Best rank
- #47 (1934)
- Peak year
- 1957
Meaning and origin of Wanda
Wanda is often said to mean “uncertain, perhaps from the Vandals”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Polish and Slavic roots.
Wanda is a Polish name whose meaning is uncertain. It has often been linked to the Vandals, the Germanic tribe, and sometimes to Slavic words, but no explanation is settled. In Polish legend, Wanda was the daughter of Krakus, the founder of Kraków, and she chose to drown herself in the Vistula rather than marry a German prince. Her story was retold by Polish writers and helped make the name popular. English speakers took it up in the late nineteenth century, partly through Ouida's novel Wanda. It is said WAHN-duh.
Other spellings with the same sound: Wonda.
Popularity over time
Wanda has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 110 different years. Its best national rank was #47 in 1934, and the most babies received it in 1957, when 7,713 were named Wanda. In 2025, 20 babies were named Wanda, and it ranked #6,096 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #117 in 1920, #52 in 1950, #445 in 1980, #2,455 in 2000, #7,200 in 2010, and #6,096 in 2025. Of the 281,214 US girls named Wanda since records began, 26% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1940s come next, with 50,775 babies. Since 2010, 383 more have been named Wanda.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Lynn, Darlene, Vickie, Ann, and Leslie.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Wanda is usually pronounced WAHN-duh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with W and ends in “-da”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Wonda.
Middle names for Wanda
A few middle names that flow with Wanda: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Wanda
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Lists that include Wanda
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Wanda mean?
Wanda is often said to mean “uncertain, perhaps from the Vandals”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Polish and Slavic roots.
What is the origin of the name Wanda?
Wanda has Polish and Slavic roots. Wanda is a Polish name whose meaning is uncertain.
Is Wanda a popular name?
Not especially. Wanda ranked #6,096 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Wanda a boy or girl name?
Wanda is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Wanda?
Wanda is usually pronounced WAHN-duh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings