Wendi
Wendi was not among the names given to 5 or more girls in 2025. Its best year was 1971, when it ranked 317th; the most babies were born in 1970 (844). More babies were named Wendi in the 1970s than in any other decade.
Meaning (as Wendy) popularized by Peter Pan (origin debated) · English
- Rank in 2025
- Not rankedgirls
- Babies in 2025
- 0girls
- Girls and boys
- Almost always a girl’s name2021–2025
- Peak year
- 1970844 babies
- Total since 1880
- 14,522babies recorded
What does the name Wendi mean?
Wendi is a spelling of Wendy, pronounced the same way, so it shares Wendy's meaning and origin.
Wendy was popularized by Wendy Darling in J. M. Barrie's play Peter Pan (1904). Wiktionary notes that Barrie said he took it from 'Fwendy-Wendy' ('friend'), a child's nickname for him, though the name is occasionally found earlier; it may also be a pet form of Gwendolen or of Germanic names in Wend-. It was very popular in the US in the 1960s and 1970s.
How sure is this? Uncertain. Barrie's account is one explanation; earlier uses point to other sources.
Related names: Gwendolyn, Wenda.
See also: English names.
Sources for this meaning
- Wiktionary, entry 'Wendy', Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0; facts restated, no text reused)
- US Social Security Administration, national baby-name data 1880-2025 (our computation), SSA (public domain)
Wendi popularity since 1880
| Year | Rank (girls) | Babies (girls) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2020 | #13,392 | 7 |
| 2010 | #8,259 | 15 |
| 2000 | #3,521 | 38 |
| 1990 | #1,577 | 97 |
| 1980 | #535 | 353 |
| 1970 | #320 | 844 |
| 1960 | #650 | 243 |
| 1950 | #1,432 | 42 |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
How popular is Wendi, counting every spelling?
Wendi is a spelling of Wendy, a name family that ranked #1,265 for girls in 2025 once every spelling is counted together. Together these spellings went to 165 girls in 2025.
| Spelling | Babies 2025 | Official rank | Babies 2021–2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wendy | 165 | #1,347 | 954 |
Spellings count together when they sound the same in American English and are used for the same sex; nicknames and forms that sound different (such as Theo and Theodore) are kept apart. How we group spellings.
How old are people named Wendi?
About 13,300 people born in the US named Wendi are alive today, with a median age of 54; half are between 48 and 59. That makes Wendi mostly worn by adults in their thirties to fifties.
Babies given the name each year (SSA) times the share of that birth year still alive (SSA life tables). Counts people born in the US only. Method.
Wendi by state
How common Wendi was among girls born in each state in 1968–1972, around its peak. It is notably more common than nationally in Utah (3.4×), Idaho (2.6×), Iowa (2.3×), Oregon (2.2×), Colorado (2.1×). It is least common, relative to the national rate, in New York, New Jersey, Mississippi.
Names with a similar history
These names rose and fell in step with Wendi: their share of US girls followed the most similar curve since 1880. If you like Wendi, they share its era and feel.
Questions about the name Wendi
What does Wendi mean?
Wendi is a spelling of Wendy, usually explained as “popularized by Peter Pan (origin debated)”, but this is uncertain. Certainty: uncertain.
How popular is the name Wendi?
Wendi was not among the names given to 5 or more girls in 2025. Its best year was 1971, when it ranked 317th; the most babies were born in 1970 (844). More babies were named Wendi in the 1970s than in any other decade.
Is Wendi a boy or girl name?
In 2021–2025, almost always a girl’s name given the name Wendi in the US.
Where was Wendi most popular?
In 1968–1972, Wendi was most common in Utah (1.57 per 1,000 girls), followed by Idaho and Iowa.