Belinda
Belinda is a girl's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Bright serpent, linden tree, or beautiful.
Origin and history
Belinda is a given name of Germanic origin, traditionally believed to combine elements meaning serpent or linden tree. It gained literary popularity in 18th-century English poetry, notably in Alexander Pope's The Rape of the Lock. In the United States, it saw peak usage during the mid-to-late 20th century.
Popularity in the United States
72,960 babies in the United States have been named Belinda since 1880. It ranks #466 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1369.
States where it is most popular
- TX (16.7 %)
- CA (10 %)
- NY (5.1 %)
- FL (4.6 %)
- NC (4.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 5 |
| 1890-1900 | 23 |
| 1900-1910 | 32 |
| 1910-1920 | 83 |
| 1920-1930 | 108 |
| 1930-1940 | 219 |
| 1940-1950 | 2,863 |
| 1950-1960 | 20,941 |
| 1960-1970 | 22,944 |
| 1970-1980 | 12,488 |
| 1980-1990 | 5,348 |
| 1990-2000 | 2,373 |
| 2000-2010 | 2,651 |
| 2010-2019 | 2,127 |
| 2020-2029 | 755 |
Famous people named Belinda
- Belinda Carlisle: Singer, Musician
- Belinda Bencic: Tennis Player, Athlete
Nicknames
Linda, Bell, Bella, Lindy
Fun facts
- Alexander Pope popularized the name in English literature through his famous 1712 mock-heroic poem, The Rape of the Lock.
- The first element likely derives from Old High German Bili (gentle or agreeable) or Bindi (serpent).