Vanda

♀ Girl

Pronounced VAN-duh /ˈvæn.də/Medium

Meaning: Vanda is a form of Wanda, a Slavic name traditionally connected to the Wends (a West Slavic people) and borne in Polish legend by a princess-queen; the same word also names the tropical Vanda orchid, from Sanskrit.Medium

In 30 seconds: Vanda is a form of Wanda, a Slavic name tied to the Wends, and also the name of the Vanda orchid (said 'VAN-duh').

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Origin MediumSlavic, Polish

MeaningVanda is a form of Wanda, a Slavic name traditionally connected to the Wends (a West Slavic people) and borne in Polish legend by a princess-queen; the same word also names the tropical Vanda orchid, from Sanskrit.

U.S. rank (2002)#17965 ↘ Falling

2002 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1960

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,683

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Vanda is a variant of Wanda, a name rooted in Slavic tradition and linked to the Wends; Polish legend gives it to a princess who ruled Krakow. By happy coincidence the same word names the showy Vanda orchid, whose title comes from Sanskrit, lending the name a botanical echo.

In America it stayed a quiet heritage choice, peaking around 1960 at a few dozen girls a year and never becoming common. It reads as a mid-century Central-European name and has not joined the recent vintage revival.

Did you know? Vanda was a modest mid-century name in the U.S., cresting around 1960 at only a few dozen girls a year, carried largely by Slavic-heritage families.

Overall data confidence 60%

Behind the Name — Wanda — Slavic origin; Vanda variant

Variations

WandaVondaVanessa

Nicknames

VanVandy

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Vanda…

Wanda— the standard spelling of the same Slavic name

Wilda— same mid-century one-and-a-half-syllable feel

Glenda— a like -da girl's name of the era

Rhoda— another vintage two-syllable girl's name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Vanda mean?

Vanda is a form of Wanda, a Slavic name connected to the Wends, and also names the tropical Vanda orchid.

How do you pronounce Vanda?

It's said VAN-duh /ˈvæn.də/ — two syllables.

Is Vanda a boy or girl name?

Vanda is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Vanda?

Vanda has always been uncommon in the U.S., a quiet mid-century name borne mainly by Slavic-heritage families.