Name profile

GirlPronounced Polish /ˈvan.da/; American English /ˈwɑn.də/; British English /ˈwɒn.də/; French /wɑ̃.da/Dutch language family

Wanda

A name meaning "a Wend".

Quick answer

Wanda is a girl name meaning "a Wend".

Pronunciation: Polish /ˈvan.da/; American English /ˈwɑn.də/; British English /ˈwɒn.də/; French /wɑ̃.da/.

GenderGirl
Meaninga Wend
PronunciationPolish /ˈvan.da/; American English /ˈwɑn.də/; British English /ˈwɒn.də/; French /wɑ̃.da/
Language familyDutch

Meaning and history

Possibly from a Germanic name meaning "a Wend", referring to the Slavic people who inhabited eastern Germany. In Polish legends this was the name of the daughter of King Krak, the legendary founder of Krakow. It was introduced to the English-speaking world by the author Ouida, who used it for the heroine in her novel Wanda (1883).

Notes and context

Usage: polish, english, german, french