The name Wendi has its origins in the Germanic languages, particularly Old English and Old Saxon. It is a feminine form of the male name Wend or Wendan, which derives from the word "wenden," meaning "to turn" or "to wander." The name likely originated in the early medieval period, around the 6th to 8th centuries.

In Old English, the name was spelled as "Wændī" or "Wændæ," while in Old Saxon, it was rendered as "Wendī." These variations suggest that the name was in use among the Anglo-Saxon and Saxon populations of what is now England and parts of Germany.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Wendi can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landowners and property in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. Here, a woman named Wendi is listed as a landowner in the county of Wiltshire.

During the Middle Ages, the name Wendi appeared sporadically in various historical records and chronicles. In the 13th century, a notable figure named Wendi of Hulenburg was a German noblewoman and landowner in the region of Westphalia.

In the 15th century, a woman named Wendi Braun was a prominent merchant and trader in the city of Nuremberg, known for her successful business dealings in textiles and spices.

Another historical figure bearing the name Wendi was Wendi von Baumbach, a 16th-century German artist and painter who specialized in religious and mythological subjects. Her works adorned several churches and noble residences in the region of Saxony.

In the 17th century, Wendi Schröder was a German botanist and herbalist, renowned for her extensive knowledge of medicinal plants and their uses. She published a widely-read treatise on the subject, which became an important reference work in the field of natural medicine.

While the name Wendi was not as common as some other feminine names in history, it has persisted through the centuries, often associated with women of notable achievements or standing in their respective fields and eras.