Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Wendy
GirlEnglish· “popularized by Peter Pan”
- Meaning
- popularized by Peter Pan
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- WEHN-dee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,347
- US babies 2025
- 165
- Best rank
- #28 (1970)
- Peak year
- 1967
Meaning and origin of Wendy
Wendy is an English name that means “popularized by Peter Pan”.
Wendy was made famous by J. M. Barrie's play Peter Pan and his later novel Peter and Wendy, in which Wendy Darling mothers the Lost Boys in Neverland. The name had occasionally been used before, probably as a pet form of Gwendolen, but Barrie's story made it widely known. It became especially popular in the mid-twentieth century. Wendy has a friendly, cheerful sound and a strong storybook connection. It works on its own or as a nickname for Gwendolyn, and it has a warm, nostalgic feel for many parents.
Popularity over time
Wendy first appears in US Social Security records in 1918. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 82 different years, starting in 1936. Its best national rank was #28 in 1970, and the most babies received it in 1967, when 11,223 were named Wendy. In 2025, 165 babies were named Wendy, and it ranked #1,347 nationally. That is 43% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #114 in 1950, #75 in 1980, #317 in 2000, #591 in 2010, and #1,347 in 2025. Of the 262,325 US girls named Wendy since records began, 34% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1970s come next, with 74,185 babies. Since 2010, 4,521 more have been named Wendy.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Michele, Jill, Tina, and Gina.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Wendy ranked highest in Wisconsin, Tennessee, and Washington.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | #697 | 7 |
| Tennessee | #883 | 8 |
| Washington | #910 | 7 |
| Arizona | #1029 | 6 |
| Georgia | #1069 | 9 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Wendy is usually pronounced WEHN-dee, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with W and ends in “-dy”.
Middle names for Wendy
A few middle names that flow with Wendy: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Wendy
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Lists that include Wendy
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Wendy mean?
Wendy is an English name that means “popularized by Peter Pan”.
What is the origin of the name Wendy?
Wendy has English roots. Wendy was made famous by J.
Is Wendy a popular name?
Not especially. Wendy ranked #1,347 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Wendy a boy or girl name?
Wendy is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Wendy?
Wendy is usually pronounced WEHN-dee. 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