What is the origin of the female Christian name "Wendy"....?

Is it true - as I have recently been told- that this name was actually invented by J. M. Barrie for the character in the book "Peter Pan" and that no such name existed prior to the writing of this book?

What is the origin of the female Christian name "Wendy"....?
I do not think that "Wendy" has any link with Christianity in fact it was a neck name which is now in use.
Reply:yes its true are you wendy?its meaning is nomad,from wendy
Reply:true
Reply:My mothers name is Wendy and the origins are true.





Actually my aunt named her as she and my nan went to watch Peter Pan in the cinema and my aunt suggested it.





Doing a search on the meaning I found this:





"From friendy-wendy. Invented by J M Barrie for Peter Pan."
Reply:WENDY


Gender: Feminine





Usage: English





Pronounced: WEN-dee [key]





Probably first used in J. M. Barrie's play 'Peter Pan' in 1904. It was from the nickname fwendy "friend", given to the author by a young friend. However, there is some evidence that the name may have been used prior to the play, in which case it could be related to the Welsh name GWENDOLEN or other names beginning with gwen meaning "white, fair, blessed".
Reply:biggie sized fries!! thats where it ame from!!=0)
Reply:yes, that's the true origin of Wendy.
Reply:Well I never knew that. Thanks.
Reply:Here's what I found:





"WENDY


Gender: Feminine





Usage: English





Pronounced: WEN-dee [key]





Probably first used in J. M. Barrie's play 'Peter Pan' in 1904. It was from the nickname fwendy "friend", given to the author by a young friend. However, there is some evidence that the name may have been used prior to the play, in which case it could be related to the Welsh name GWENDOLEN or other names beginning with gwen meaning "white, fair, blessed". "
Reply:Yup, that's right. I heard the same thing. The name Wendy didn't show up anywhere before the book came out.