Wanda

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. The name has long been popular in Poland where the legend of Princess Wanda has been circulating since at least the 12th century. In 1947 Wanda was cited as the second most popular name, after Mary, for Polish girls, and the most popular from Polish secular history. 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. 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. The name is popularly interpreted as meaning "wanderer." 2Namesakes Wanda Coleman (1946-2013), American poet Wanda Lorene Foster (1943-2016) Country and Western / Gospel singer. Writer and entertainer. Wanda Hazel Gág (1893–1946), American author and illustrator of the children's book Millions of Cats Wanda Gertz (1896–1958) Wanda Guenette (born 1962), Canadian volleyball player Wanda Hawley (1895-1963), American silent film-era actress Wanda Hendrix (1928–1981), American film actress Wanda Hutchinson (born 1951), American R&B singer (the Emotions) Wanda Jackson (born 1937), American rockabilly singer Wanda Jakubowska (1907–1998) Wanda Klaff (1922–1946) Wanda Kosakiewicz 1917-1989, French stage actress and love interest of both Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camu