Melinda
Melinda is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Sweet, honey-like, or gentle.
Origin and history
Melinda is an English name created in the 18th century, likely blending the name Melina or Melissa (derived from the Greek word for honey) with the popular '-inda' suffix. It enjoyed significant popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century. Today, it remains a familiar traditional name, though it is used less frequently for newborns.
Popularity in the United States
135,822 babies in the United States have been named Melinda since 1880. It ranks #297 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1543.
States where it is most popular
- CA (11.3 %)
- TX (9 %)
- OH (6.4 %)
- NY (5.4 %)
- IL (4.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 129 |
| 1890-1900 | 157 |
| 1900-1910 | 137 |
| 1910-1920 | 199 |
| 1920-1930 | 202 |
| 1930-1940 | 567 |
| 1940-1950 | 5,423 |
| 1950-1960 | 21,509 |
| 1960-1970 | 36,297 |
| 1970-1980 | 36,438 |
| 1980-1990 | 22,212 |
| 1990-2000 | 7,926 |
| 2000-2010 | 2,495 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,571 |
| 2020-2029 | 560 |
Famous people named Melinda
- Melinda Gates: Philanthropist, Businesswoman
- Melinda Dillon: Actress
- Melinda Clarke: Actress
Nicknames
Mel, Mindy, Lindy
Fun facts
- Melinda emerged as a coined name in 18th-century English literature and poetry before gaining widespread adoption.
- The name reached its peak popularity in the United States during the 1970s.