Wendy
Every Wendy since 1918 — 263,276 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Wendy
Wendy is uncommon for girls in the United States, ranked #1,347 in 2025 with 165 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1918, 263,276 American babies have been named Wendy. Its peak came in 1967, when 11,259 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1960s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Wendy stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Wendy year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 165 | #1,347 | — | — |
| 2024 | 225 | #1,097 | — | — |
| 2023 | 176 | #1,301 | — | — |
| 2022 | 192 | #1,255 | — | — |
| 2021 | 196 | #1,214 | — | — |
| 2020 | 196 | #1,188 | — | — |
| 2019 | 222 | #1,107 | — | — |
| 2018 | 273 | #970 | — | — |
| 2017 | 230 | #1,101 | — | — |
| 2016 | 328 | #860 | — | — |
| 2015 | 288 | #944 | — | — |
| 2014 | 359 | #782 | — | — |
| 2013 | 395 | #708 | — | — |
| 2012 | 359 | #769 | — | — |
| 2011 | 419 | #676 | 5 | #14,239 |
| 2010 | 498 | #591 | — | — |
| 2009 | 600 | #504 | — | — |
| 2008 | 688 | #461 | — | — |
| 2007 | 864 | #382 | — | — |
| 2006 | 930 | #355 | 5 | #13,937 |
| 2005 | 901 | #350 | — | — |
| 2004 | 1,039 | #308 | 7 | #9,897 |
| 2003 | 1,087 | #286 | 6 | #10,841 |
| 2002 | 1,209 | #261 | — | — |
| 2001 | 1,255 | #253 | 8 | #8,307 |
| 2000 | 1,004 | #317 | 9 | #7,382 |
| 1995 | 1,039 | #265 | 8 | #6,968 |
| 1990 | 1,397 | #206 | 16 | #3,770 |
| 1985 | 1,781 | #162 | 15 | #3,213 |
| 1980 | 4,141 | #75 | 19 | #2,613 |
| 1975 | 7,473 | #33 | 30 | #1,702 |
| 1970 | 11,100 | #28 | 42 | #1,296 |
| 1965 | 10,481 | #39 | 25 | #1,594 |
| 1960 | 6,870 | #63 | 21 | #1,810 |
| 1955 | 4,955 | #90 | 12 | #2,429 |
| 1950 | 3,030 | #114 | 9 | #2,764 |
| 1945 | 575 | #290 | — | — |
| 1940 | 254 | #428 | — | — |
| 1935 | 27 | #1,447 | — | — |
| 1930 | 17 | #2,106 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Wendy
- Wendy Carlos Musician · b. 1939
- Wendy Hiller Actor · 1912–2003
- Wendy Makkena Actor · b. 1958
- Wendy O. Williams Actor · 1949–1998
- Wendy Crewson Actor · b. 1956
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Wendy in 2025?
Wendy ranked #1,347 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 165 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Wendy?
263,276 babies have been named Wendy in the United States since 1918, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Wendy most popular?
Wendy peaked in 1967, when 11,259 newborns received the name.
Is Wendy a boy or girl name?
Wendy is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Wendy rising or falling?
Wendy is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Wendy?
Well-known people named Wendy include Wendy Carlos (musician), Wendy Hiller (actor), Wendy Makkena (actor).