Holding steady.
Popularity of Wonda since 1916
Babies named Wonda per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1959, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Wonda's real moment was 1966.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 73 |
| 1930s | 173 |
| 1940s | 260 |
| 1950s | 537 |
| 1960s | 530 |
| 1970s | 173 |
| 1980s | 25 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Wonda first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1916, but it remained a rare name throughout the 20th century. Its peak year came in 1966, yet even then it did not reach the top 1000, reflecting how uncommon the name has always been. The trajectory over recent decades has been stable, with very few babies given the name each year. As a phonetic variant of Wanda, it follows a pattern of simplified or creative spellings that were particularly popular in mid-century America. While it has never been a national favorite, Wonda has a distinctive, retro feel.
Wonda is a spelling variant of Wanda, a name of uncertain origin, possibly derived from the Slavic tribal name Wends or from a word meaning 'wanderer'. The name Wanda was popularized in Poland and later adopted in English-speaking countries. The variant Wonda emerged in the early 20th century, particularly in the United States, as a phonetic respelling.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Wonnie, Wanda
Sibling names for Wonda
Names that share Wonda's style, for a brother or sister.
