A 1930s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Wanda since 1880
Babies named Wanda per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1957, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Wanda's real moment was 1933.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 143 |
| 1890s | 626 |
| 1900s | 1,527 |
| 1910s | 10,735 |
| 1920s | 36,007 |
| 1930s | 43,072 |
| 1940s | 50,775 |
| 1950s | 72,448 |
| 1960s | 47,771 |
| 1970s | 13,280 |
| 1980s | 2,873 |
| 1990s | 1,095 |
| 2000s | 479 |
| 2010s | 239 |
| 2020s | 144 |
Meaning & origin
Wanda is a name with deep Slavic roots, brought into broader awareness by Polish legend and later adopted in English-speaking countries. Its popularity in the United States peaked in 1933, when it ranked highly among newborn girls. After decades of decline, the name has been rising in use since 2019, suggesting a revival interest. In the latest year of data (2025), Wanda ranked 5,917th, reflecting its current rarity but growing appeal. The name's exact etymology remains uncertain, with theories connecting it to a Slavic root meaning 'wanderer' or proposing it as a short form of compound names. Despite its ancient origins, Wanda feels both historic and fresh for modern parents seeking a distinctive yet familiar choice.
Wanda is a name of Slavic origin, most commonly associated with Polish legend. It may derive from the Proto-Slavic root *vęd- meaning 'to wander' or 'to roam', or it could be a shortened form of names containing the element 'wanda'. The name gained popularity in Poland through the legendary Princess Wanda, who preferred death to marriage with a German. It entered English-speaking usage in the 19th century, possibly via literary works.
Where Wanda is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Wanda” around the world
Where Wanda lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Wendy, Wandi
Sibling names for Wanda
Names that share Wanda's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Olga, Stella, Vera, Lena, Nadia, Darleen, Glenda, Saundra, Drema, Lavonda, Lonna, Shelba, Tonda, Branda, Casimira, Cynda, Dewana, Dewanda, Djuana, Dondra, Drenda, Glena, Glennda, Lenda, Lynnda, Renda, Rondi, Sonji, Sundra, Vonna, Waleska, Wanna, Wyoma, Zondra, Brendalyn, Cindra, Dwana, Dwanda, Johnda, Jowanna, Ladeana, Mardi, Monda, Shirlean, Sonda, Wana, Wandra, Janace, Rayola, Tiwanda, Deneice, Luwanda, Rhanda, Rhenda, Sherel, Stanislawa, Trinda, Waneda, Welda
Brothers: Boris, Ivan, Dmitri, Leo, Viktor, Randon, Aundra, Waymond, Glendell, Sherod, Stanislaw, Zygmunt, Boleslaus, Boleslaw, Bronislaus, Bronislaw, Raydell, Rockney, Stedman, Wane, Warnell, Zygmund
