Wanda

This article is about the name. For other uses, see Wanda (disambiguation).
Wanda
Gender Female
Language(s) Polish
Origin
Word/name Poland
Meaning Wanderer
Other names
Nickname(s) Wan
Related names Wendy
Popularity see popular names

Wanda (/ˈwɒndə/ WON-də; Polish pronunciation: [ˈvanda]) is a female given name of Polish origin. It probably derives from the tribal name of the Wends.[1] The name has long been popular in Poland where the legend of Princess Wanda has been circulating since at least the 12th century.[2] In 1947 Wanda was cited as the second most popular name, after Mary, for Polish girls, and the most popular from Polish secular history.[2] The name was made familiar in the English-speaking world by the 1883 novel Wanda, written by Ouida, the story line of which is based on the last years of the Hechingen branch of the Swabian House of Hohenzollern.[1][3][4] In the United States, Wanda attained its highest popularity in the year 1934 peaking then at No. 47 on the list of names most frequently given to female infants.[1] The name is popularly interpreted as meaning "wanderer."[5][6]

Namesakes

Fictional characters named Wanda

Variant forms of Wanda

Wanda is a common name in Polish, English, German, and French languages.[1] Notable variant forms of the given name Wanda include:

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Campbell, Mike. "Meaning, Origin, and History of the Name Wanda." Behind the Name. Accessed on August 12, 2010.
  2. 1 2 Kruszewska, Albina I. & Coleman, Marion M. "The Wanda Theme in Polish Literature and Life." American Slavic and East European Review, Vol. 6, No. 1/2 (May, 1947), pp. 19-35. The American Association for the Advancement of Slavic Studies. Accessed on August 12, 2010.
  3. Ouida. "Wanda". Internet Archive. Retrieved April 17, 2013.
  4. "Ouida's 'Wanda'." The New York Times, August 13, 1883. Retrieved August 12, 2010.
  5. "Name: Wanda." Baby Names World. Accessed on August 12, 2010.
  6. "Wanda - Name Meaning & Origin." Think Baby Names. Accessed on August 12, 2010.
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