The name Wendy is derived from the Germanic root name Wendelin, which is a combination of the elements "wend" meaning "wanderer" and the diminutive suffix "-lin". This root name was popular among medieval Germanic tribes and was later adopted by the English.

The name Wendy first appeared in literary form in the early 20th century. It was coined by the Scottish novelist and playwright J.M. Barrie for the character of Wendy Darling in his 1904 play "Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up". Barrie is said to have derived the name from the nickname "Fwendy" used by a young friend to pronounce the word "friendly".

Prior to Barrie's play, the name Wendy was virtually unknown in English-speaking countries. Its popularity skyrocketed after the success of "Peter Pan", with many parents naming their daughters Wendy in honor of the beloved fictional character.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Wendy outside of literature was Wendy Wood (1892-1981), an English actress and dancer who performed in London's West End theaters. Another notable early bearer of the name was Wendy Hiller (1912-2003), an Academy Award-winning English actress known for her roles in films such as "Pygmalion" and "Murder on the Orient Express".

In the realm of politics, Wendy Davis (born 1963) is an American former state senator from Texas who gained national attention for her 11-hour filibuster in 2013 to block restrictive abortion legislation.

In the world of sports, Wendy Turnbull (born 1952) is a former Australian professional tennis player who won nine Grand Slam doubles titles and reached the singles semifinals at Wimbledon and the US Open.

Wendy O. Williams (1949-1998) was an American singer and songwriter, best known as the lead singer of the punk rock band Plasmatics, who was renowned for her outrageous stage presence and confrontational performance style.