Wanda

Wanda is a female given name of Polish origin, most often explained as derived from the name of the Wends, a term historically used by Germanic peoples for the Slavic tribes inhabiting eastern Germany. The name has entered English, French, German, and Polish usage, gaining particular popularity in the English-speaking world after the 1883 novel Wanda by Ouida.

Etymology and Origin

The earliest root is the Proto-Germanic word *wend-, which referred to the Wends or Western Slavs. The name thus etymologically means "a Wend" or "Slavic woman." It has sometimes been misinterpreted literally as "wanderer," based on a perceived similarity to the verb wander, though this is linguistically inaccurate.

Polish Legend and Cultural Significance

In medieval Polish legend, Wanda was the daughter of King Krak, the mythical founder of Kraków. According to the story, after her father's death, Wanda became queen and rejected marriage to a German prince, leading to his invasion. She threw herself into the Vistula River to avoid a forced union and was subsequently honored as a national heroine. The legend has been recounted since at least the 12th century. By 1947, Wanda was named the second most popular Polish feminine name after Mary, and the most popular name with secular historical roots.

Notable Bearers

• Wanda Barzee (born 1945), American criminal convicted for her role in the kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart.
• Wanda Sykes (born 1964), American actor, comedian, and writer.
• Wanda Ventham (born 1935), English actress.
• Wanda Gág (1893–1946), American artist and author, best known for Millions of Cats.
• Wanda Rutkiewicz (1943–1992), Polish mountaineer, the first woman to summit K2.

Geographical Distribution

In the United States, Wanda peaked in popularity in 1934 at number 47 on the Social Security Administration's list of top girls' names. It remains moderately common in Poland and among Polish diaspora communities.

Variants and Related Names

Variants include Vonda in English, and in other languages and cultures the cognate Vanda is used.

• Meaning: "a Wend" (referring to Slavic people)
• Origin: Germanic
• Type: Feminine given name
• Usage regions: English, French, German, Polish