Wenda Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Wenda is derived from Old English and Old High German, meaning 'to turn' or 'change.' It evolved through different forms over time, retaining its unique character. The name does not have biblical relevance but gained popularity in the early 20th century. Today, it is seen as a distinctive name with a vintage charm, associated with a few notable individuals.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Wenda"
Pronunciation
/ˈwɛndə/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Wenda is derived from the Old English word 'wendan,' which means 'to turn' or 'to change.' It is also associated with the Old High German name 'Winda,' which refers to the 'Wends,' a Slavic group.
Meaning
to turn, change
Language Evolution
Old English: Wenda, Old High German: Winda, Modern English: Wenda
Historical Usage
The name Wenda gained popularity in the early 20th century, especially in English-speaking countries. It has been used as both a given name and a surname.
Variants & Derivatives
Wendy, Wendael, Wendell
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Wenda is perceived as a unique and somewhat vintage name, appealing to those who favor uncommon names with historical roots.
Famous People
Wenda Gu, Wenda Harris Millard
📊 Wenda Name Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Wenda Name Visualizations
✨ Wenda Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 43 peak births in 1956
Geographic Spread
Popular across 6 US states, with strongest presence in Pennsylvania
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 4 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Wenda"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Wenda"
"Wenda" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 3485th of 9204 | 125 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1854th of 12526 | 634 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 4126th of 19264 | 232 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 23525th of 27321 | 10 |
Regional Popularity of "Wenda" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Wenda" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- |
100.00% 1556th/1556 |
- | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
82.22% 1831st/2227 |
70.95% 1724th/2430 |
- |
79.68% 2211th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Wenda"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Wenda" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Wenda" in the United States
The name Wenda is most popular in Pennsylvania, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Baby Boomers generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Wenda has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Wenda' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 3485th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1854th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 4126th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 23525th out of 27321 names. Discover how the name 'Wenda' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.