Vanda?

[SallySummerPop]

Is Vanda a nice name for a girl? I've heard of Wanda which appears to be German or Polish but is it nice with a V or at all as a name?

Er, the German name Wanda is pronounced Vanda by Germans!

Yep, and Wanda = VAN-dah in Polish, too (Polish w is almost always like the English v). But Vanda pronounced VAN-da or VAWN-da is also traditional in Italian, Portuguese, Hungarian, Czech, and a few other Slavic languages. I like Van as a nickname/diminutive.

I know but I live in UK and so wouldn't feel able to use it because it may cause confusion for those who don't know.

Loads of old Portuguese women are called Vanda. I think you can name your child anything in 2025

I don't personally like it, but yes spelling it with a V would be a way to get people to pronounce it the German way.

There's a German radio presenter called Vanja (pronounced Van-ya).

I knew a Vanda at uni here in the UK (she was British), it’s a very memorable name and easy to pronounce. The Vanda I knew was a really nice person too if that helps!

I knew a British Vanda, too. It's rare, bit not totally unknown.

I know a Wanda - British born, Polish parents - and it’s pronounced Vanda in the UK. If people mispronounce it, she just tells them. I don’t like actually calling a kid Vanda just to avert that, seems like you should call them something else if it’s an issue.

I'm going to suggest Vashti which I really like, only ever met one.

I knew a Vanda, she does in her 90’s so an older person. Definitely a name though

I know a Vanda, she’s in her 60’s and goes by Vee mostly. She’s fantastic so the name has positive connotations for me.

I know a lovely Vanda - so I like the name.

My Dad had a thoroughbred called Wanda and she was a gorgeous horse - so I like that too.

Vandana is an Indian name (Vun - dun - a)

I find Vanda very tacky, ugly and unsophisticated, in my opinion. I like Isadora, Isabella, Rose Amber, Charlotte, Lilly and Emily.

I know someone with this name so don’t find it unusual. She’s English. I think it’s nice.

We had a secretary called Vanda. She was brilliant. She was a petite soigné figure but she kept everyone in check and wouldn’t take any nonsense from my male colleagues . I miss her very much.