Declining since 1985, #1,341 for girls today.
Popularity of Wendy since 1918
Babies named Wendy per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 45 |
| 1930s | 583 |
| 1940s | 8,423 |
| 1950s | 42,675 |
| 1960s | 88,963 |
| 1970s | 74,185 |
| 1980s | 22,268 |
| 1990s | 11,080 |
| 2000s | 9,577 |
| 2010s | 3,371 |
| 2020s | 1,150 |
Meaning & origin
Wendy is a literary invention that debuted in J.M. Barrie's 1904 play 'Peter Pan'. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1918, and by 1967 it reached its peak rank of 43rd. In 2025, it ranks 1,341st with about 1 in 9,741 births, reflecting a long-term decline that began around 1985. Wendy is most popular in the upper Midwest and South, with top states including Wisconsin, Tennessee, and Washington. Despite its drop from mid-century ubiquity, Wendy retains a classic mid-20th-century feel and is still used enough to remain familiar.
Wendy was coined by J.M. Barrie for the character Wendy Darling in his 1904 play 'Peter Pan' and the 1911 novelization. Barrie likely based it on a child's pronunciation of 'friend' or the nickname 'Fwendy-Wendy'. It may also have been influenced by the Welsh name Gwendolen, meaning 'white ring' or 'fair'. The name quickly entered popular use after the play's success.
Where Wendy 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.
“Wendy” around the world
Where Wendy lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
95
babies in 2024
Quebec
6
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Wen, Wends, Wendy-Wendy
Sibling names for Wendy
Names that share Wendy's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Lindsay, Megan, Amber, Heather, Stacey, Candy, Karen, Misty, Sandy, Shari, Cristy, Jammie, Kandis, Kristie, Lindy, Lyndi, Mandy, Mindy, Randi, Sandi, Shanda, Shelli, Shellie, Tami, Candis, Cyndi, Cyndy, Debbi, Donya, Julee, Karry, Lory, Marti, Randee, Randie, Sandee, Sharell, Sindy, Tamie, Tawnya, Candee, Glendy, Kandie, Lezlee, Lindi, Lindie, Lynnell, Mandee, Marcey, Mindee, Mindie, Sendy, Sharrie, Shellee, Sherine, Sherra, Sherrye, Shiree, Tamy, Tawney, Tawnia, Terrilynn, Breanda, Cendy, Chyrl, Cynde, Denni, Donni, Jil, Lezley, Lezli, Robbyn, Sheli, Sherlynn, Tonni, Wenda, Shellye, Tambi, Brandey, Brendy, Lendy, Myndi, Rendi, Rhondalyn, Rindy, Shanin, Sheralee, Sherilee, Tamee, Tamey, Toyna, Wandy, Wilmary, Winda, Yeny
Brothers: Kevin, Brian, Scott, Todd, Jason, Ricky, Delane, Derick, Marty, Darry, Glendon, Bradd, Tarry, Tharon, Vandy, Chadric, Dyron, Rondey, Diron, Glendel, Rendy, Sirron, Wane, Won
Names like Wendy
Names whose popularity has moved with Wendy's over the last 50 years.
