Entry № 1297 · English origin

Wendy Wendy — Meaning, Origin & Baby Name Popularity

/ WEN-dee /
Gender
Girl
Origin
English
Meaning
"Friend"
Syllables
2
Rank · US 2025
№ 698
First recorded
1904 (literary)

A name that means "friend".

Wendy was popularised — and possibly invented — by J. M. Barrie's Peter Pan (1904). Barrie said he based the name on a young friend who called him "my friendy."

Wendy peaked at #28 in 1970. Today Wendy sits in the U.S. top 700 — quietly used as a vintage classic.

Friend. The name J. M. Barrie invented for Peter Pan.

Where Wendy stands.

Current rank · 2025
№ 698 in the U.S.
All-time peak
№ 28 in 1970
Babies named Wendy · last year
412 in the U.S.
First entered SSA top-1000
1936
Rank, 1995–2025 Lower = more popular
№25 №75 №150 №250 1995 2005 2015 2020 2025 PEAK · №28 NOW · №698

Wendys before her.

Real people
Wendy Williams
American TV host.
born 1964
Wendy Davis
American politician.
born 1963
In fiction
Wendy Darling
Heroine of Peter Pan.
1904 play

Names connected to Wendy.

The number behind Wendy.

2

The Diplomat

Wendy reduces to two — the number of friendship.

Why families chose this name.

"We grew up with Peter Pan. Wendy was the heroine we admired."
Sarah · Mother of one · Edinburgh