Wends is a historic name for West Slavs living near Germanic settlement areas.

It does not refer to a homogeneous people, but to various peoples, tribes or groups depending on where and when it is used.

Today, it is used either in historical contexts or as a catch-all term for Lusatian Sorbs, and their descendants, like the Texas Wends.In the Middle Ages the term "Wends" often refers to Western Slavs living within the Holy Roman Empire, though not always.

Mieszko I, the first historical legitimate ruler of Poland, also appears as "Dagome, King of the Wends" (Old Norse: Vindakonungr) - which is an apparent misinterpretation as during those times emerging Polish state have no true control over Sorbian territories (which are gained for a short period of time by Bolesław I Chrobry after Mieszko's death).

The name has also survived in Finnic languages denoting Russia.