Wanda is a strong baby name for girls with a deep European background. It likely is a name for a certain type of Slavic person, though Wanda has Polish roots too. No matter the origins, Wanda was a top 100 option for over four decades in America.
Meaning and Origin of the Name Wanda:
The baby name Wanda may come from a name that represented the Wend people of Eastern Germany. Others believe, however, that the name originates from a Polish legend. It was the name of the daughter of King Krak, who supposedly founded Krakow. Ouida was the first to use the name Wanda in English-speaking countries, in a novel called “Wanda”. In Slavic and German, the name can be interpreted to mean “shepherdess, wanderer”, while in Polish the name means “slender, young tree”.
Symbolism of the Name Wanda:
Wanda means “shepherdess” and “wanderer” in German and Slavic cultures because of the Wend people group. These individuals were Slavic families who settled in the eastern regions of Germany. In Polish, a “slender, young tree” represented the daughter of King Krak.
Nicknames for the Name Wanda:
Wanda enjoys nicknames that are both cute and unique! This name can be turned into several different nicknames, like Wandi and Wans. For other nickname ideas, check out the rest of our list:
- Wan
- Wand
- Wandie
- Wandi
- Wandy
- Wana
- Wands
- Wany
- Wans
- Da
- Ands
- Ann
- Andi
Style of the Name Wanda:
Traditional
Gender of the Name Wanda:
Wanda is a wholesome baby name for girls.
Pronunciation of the Name Wanda:
WAHN-duh
Number of Syllables in the Name Wanda:
Two
Emotion Evoked From the Name Wanda:
Wanda is a mature and old-fashioned name. It is strong and full of heart.
Alternative Spellings for the Name Wanda:
- Wannda
- Wandah
- Wanndah
Popularity of the Name Wanda:
Wanda was a top 100 option in America from 1922 to 1967. The name was most popular in 1934 at number 47 for girls. Wanda was last a top 1,000 name in 1990 at rank 980; it is now rank 3,063.
Related Names for the Name Wanda:
Great Middle Names for Wanda and Their Meanings:
- Michelle (who resembles God)
- Clarisse (bright, famous)
- Ethel (noble)
- Fernanda (bold voyager)
- Alicia (noble-natured)
- Lucia (light)
- Maribel (star of the sea)
- Evelyn (wished for child)
Famous People with the Name Wanda:
- Wanda Landowska (harpsichordist)
- Wanda Rutkiewicz (mountain climber)
- Wanda Sykes (actress, “Over the Hedge”)
- Wanda Jackson (singer)
- Wanda de Jesus (actress, “Blue”)
- Wanda Hendrix (actress, “Sierra”)
- Wanda Ventham (actress, “The Lotus Eaters”)
- Wanda Gag (children's book author)
Wandas in Popular Culture:
- Wanda Maximoff (Marvel comics character, The Scarlet Witch)
- Wanda (main character from “The Host”)
- Wanda Goronski (character from “Wanda”)
- Wanda Plenn (character from “Doogie Howser, M.D.”)
- Wanda Bell (character from “Orange is the New Black”)
- Wanda (character from “Fairly Odd Parents”)
- Wanda (character from “Hart of Dixie”)
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Sokolova Maryna/Shutterstock.com.