Wenche

Etymology and Origin

Wenche is a Norwegian variant of Wenke, which in turn is a Low German diminutive of Germanic names incorporating the element wini meaning "friend." The name thus carries connotations of friendship and amiability. The variation in spelling—including Wencke, Venke, Venche, Vence, and Vencke—reflects regional and personal preferences within Scandinavia.

Notable Bearers

The most internationally recognized bearer is Wenche Myhre (born 1947), a celebrated Norwegian singer whose career spans over six decades. In some countries, she is billed as Wencke to avoid pronunciation confusion. Other notable individuals include actress Wenche Foss (1917–2011), a revered figure in Norwegian theatre and film; lawyer and judge Wenche Elizabeth Arntzen (born 1959), who presided over the 2012 Breivik trial; actress Wenche Klouman (1918–2009); architect Wenche Selmer (1920–1998), known for her modern designs; and singer Venke Knutson (born 1978), who represents the alternate spelling Venke.

Distribution and Variants

Wenche is predominantly found in Norway, while its variant forms—Wenke, Venke, Wencke, etc.—appear across other Scandinavian countries and in Low German-speaking regions. The name Wina is a Germanic cognate sharing the same root meaning. As a diminutive with a gentle, friendly meaning, Wenche has maintained enduring popularity in Norwegian naming culture.

• Meaning: Friend (via wini)
• Origin: Low German diminutive
• Type: Given name (feminine)
• Usage regions: Norway, some representation in Sweden and Denmark