Names related to Wendy: Wendi, Gwendolyn

Wendy

Pronunciation: WEHN-dee (key)

Origin of the name Wendy:

Originated as a nickname of novelist and playwright J.M. Barrie bestowed by Margaret Henley, the young daughter of English poet and editor W.E. Henley. She called Barrie her "Fwendy" (friendly), which evolved to "Fwendy-Wendy." Barrie first used the name in 1904 for a character in his Peter Pan, an ever-popular play which firmly established Wendy as a given name throughout the English-speaking world. Alternatively, Wendy is a modern pet form of Gwendolyn, most likely influenced by the previous name.

From A World of Baby Names by Teresa Norman. Buy the book

Does Wendy sound...

No Way
Definitely
No Way
Definitely
No Way
Definitely
No Way
Definitely
No Way
Definitely
No Way
Definitely
No Way
Definitely
View all ratings

Sibling Names for Wendy...

Do you know any real life Wendys?
What are their siblings named?

Reader Contributions

Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Wendy!

Comments and insights on the name Wendy: | Edit

May (particularly by cruel middle school boys) always be associated with Wendy's fast food chain

Personal experiences with the name Wendy: | Edit
Share what you know!
Nicknames for Wendy: | Edit
Share what you know!
Meanings and history of the name Wendy: | Edit
Share what you know!
Famous real-life people named Wendy: | Edit

Wendy Wasserstein, American playwright
Wendy O. Williams, American punk rock singer, known as "The Queen of Shock Rock"
Wendy Turnbull, Australian tennis player
Wendy Hiller, English actress
Wendy Matthews, Australian-Canadian singer

Wendy in song, story & screen: | Edit

Wendy in "Peter Pan"
"Wendy", song by the Beach Boys
"Wendy Clear", a song by blink-182
Wendy Testaburger, student in the cartoon "South Park"

Browse Girls' Names

Browse Boys' Names