Wendi
A female given name originating as a coinage.
Every Wendi since 1943 — 14,522 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Wendi
Wendi is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1943, 14,522 American babies have been named Wendi. Its peak came in 1970, when 844 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
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 Wendi stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Wendi year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | 10 | #10,222 |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | 6 | #15,134 |
| 2020 | 7 | #13,392 |
| 2019 | 6 | #15,444 |
| 2018 | 6 | #15,580 |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | 8 | #12,815 |
| 2015 | 6 | #16,305 |
| 2014 | 9 | #11,883 |
| 2013 | 15 | #8,122 |
| 2012 | 15 | #8,195 |
| 2011 | 8 | #13,288 |
| 2010 | 15 | #8,259 |
| 2009 | 18 | #7,323 |
| 2008 | 26 | #5,565 |
| 2007 | 34 | #4,471 |
| 2006 | 42 | #3,730 |
| 2005 | 35 | #4,112 |
| 2004 | 46 | #3,330 |
| 2003 | 42 | #3,468 |
| 2002 | 42 | #3,332 |
| 2001 | 49 | #2,960 |
| 2000 | 38 | #3,521 |
| 1995 | 45 | #2,733 |
| 1990 | 97 | #1,577 |
| 1985 | 174 | #912 |
| 1980 | 353 | #535 |
| 1975 | 563 | #369 |
| 1970 | 844 | #320 |
| 1965 | 458 | #442 |
| 1960 | 243 | #650 |
| 1955 | 89 | #1,072 |
| 1950 | 42 | #1,432 |
| 1945 | 6 | #4,542 |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Wendi
- Wendi Deng Murdoch Businessperson · b. 1968
- Wendi McLendon-Covey Actor · b. 1969
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Wendi mean?
A female given name originating as a coinage.
How popular is the name Wendi in 2025?
Wendi did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Wendi?
14,522 babies have been named Wendi in the United States since 1943, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Wendi most popular?
Wendi peaked in 1970, when 844 newborns received the name.
Is Wendi a boy or girl name?
Wendi is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Wendi rising or falling?
Wendi is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Wendi?
Well-known people named Wendi include Wendi Deng Murdoch (businessperson), Wendi McLendon-Covey (actor).