Girl
Melinda
sweet as honey
About Melinda
Melinda possesses the gentle elegance of classic femininity while remaining refreshingly understated in today's naming landscape. This name enjoyed peak popularity decades ago, which paradoxically makes it feelново and interesting to contemporary parents exploring beyond current trends. The three-syllable structure provides melodic flow, with the soft "lin" center creating a pleasant, almost musical quality.
Unlike some vintage revivals, Melinda never became so ubiquitous that it feels dated or tired—instead, it carries a timeless sophistication that transcends generational boundaries. The name suggests refinement without pretension, offering substance and character without demanding attention.
Melinda provides natural nickname possibilities including Mel, Mindy, or Linda, though many bearers choose to use the full name given its inherent completeness. It pairs beautifully with both traditional and contemporary middle names, and its established history means it's recognized and easily spelled across diverse contexts.
For parents seeking a name with proven longevity, Melinda offers reliable beauty that won't feel out of place in any era. It's a choice that values quality over trendiness, classic appeal over novelty—a name that quietly distinguishes rather than loudly proclaims.
Popularity of the Name Melinda
Rank among the 1,000 most popular baby names, by year.
| United States | New Zealand | Ireland | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | #462 | |||
| 1881 | #527 | |||
| 1882 | #623 | |||
| 1883 | #575 | |||
| 1884 | #902 | |||
| 1885 | #726 | |||
| 1886 | #521 | |||
| 1887 | #915 | |||
| 1888 | #557 | |||
| 1889 | #633 | |||
| 1890 | #781 | |||
| 1891 | #984 | |||
| 1892 | #653 | |||
| 1893 | #849 | |||
| 1894 | #836 | |||
| 1895 | #677 | |||
| 1896 | #891 | |||
| 1897 | #855 | |||
| 1898 | #765 | |||
| 1899 | #810 | |||
| 1900 | #852 | |||
| 1901 | #816 | |||
| 1904 | #871 | |||
| 1936 | #999 | |||
| 1937 | #764 | |||
| 1938 | #664 | |||
| 1939 | #486 | |||
| 1940 | #383 | |||
| 1941 | #374 | |||
| 1942 | #329 | |||
| 1943 | #308 | |||
| 1944 | #347 | |||
| 1945 | #374 | |||
| 1946 | #336 | |||
| 1947 | #299 | |||
| 1948 | #265 | |||
| 1949 | #227 | |||
| 1950 | #222 | |||
| 1951 | #205 | |||
| 1952 | #195 | |||
| 1953 | #176 | |||
| 1954 | #176 | |||
| 1955 | #150 | |||
| 1956 | #142 | |||
| 1957 | #146 | |||
| 1958 | #142 | |||
| 1959 | #151 | |||
| 1960 | #143 | |||
| 1961 | #129 | |||
| 1962 | #118 | |||
| 1963 | #121 | |||
| 1964 | #113 | #267 | ||
| 1965 | #100 | |||
| 1966 | #102 | #287 | ||
| 1967 | #95 | #327 | ||
| 1968 | #90 | |||
| 1969 | #89 | #315 | ||
| 1970 | #93 | #285 | #499 | |
| 1971 | #85 | #212 | ||
| 1972 | #81 | #203 | #528 | |
| 1973 | #72 | #193 | #566 | |
| 1974 | #81 | #214 | #420 | |
| 1975 | #91 | #209 | #441 | |
| 1976 | #95 | #249 | #384 | |
| 1977 | #96 | #189 | #589 | |
| 1978 | #84 | #205 | #507 | |
| 1979 | #82 | #206 | #455 | |
| 1980 | #92 | #208 | #471 | |
| 1981 | #108 | #306 | ||
| 1982 | #123 | #336 | #459 | |
| 1983 | #138 | #289 | #359 | |
| 1984 | #129 | #261 | ||
| 1985 | #138 | #382 | ||
| 1986 | #147 | #261 | ||
| 1987 | #143 | #472 | ||
| 1988 | #148 | #329 | #554 | |
| 1989 | #175 | |||
| 1990 | #208 | |||
| 1991 | #223 | #313 | ||
| 1992 | #259 | #359 | ||
| 1993 | #283 | #573 | #418 | |
| 1994 | #348 | #429 | ||
| 1995 | #409 | #417 | ||
| 1996 | #465 | #498 | ||
| 1997 | #520 | #722 | ||
| 1998 | #585 | #696 | ||
| 1999 | #606 | #800 | ||
| 2000 | #696 | #814 | ||
| 2001 | #773 | |||
| 2002 | #927 | |||
| 2006 | #801 | |||
| 2009 | #787 | |||
| 2010 | #893 |
Top names by country: United States · New Zealand · Ireland · Canada
Variations of Name Melinda
Names Similar to Melinda
Nicknames for Melinda
- Mel
- Mindy
- Linda
- Lindy
- Melly
Famous People Named Melinda
| Melinda Gates | Co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation |
| Melinda Clarke | American actress |
| Melinda Dillon | American actress |
| Melinda Czink | Hungarian tennis player |
| Melinda Shankar | Canadian actress |
| Melinda Messenger | English television presenter and model |
| Melinda Doolittle | American singer and finalist on "American Idol" |
| Melinda Naud | Canadian model and actress |
| Melinda Fee | American actress |
Characters Named Melinda
| Melinda May | Fictional character from the TV series "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D" |
| Melinda Warner | Fictional character from the TV series "Law & Order - Special Victims Unit" |
| Melinda "Mindy" Lahiri | Fictional character from the TV series "The Mindy Project" |
| Melinda Halliwell | Fictional character from the TV series "Charmed" |
| Melinda Kocsis | Fictional character from the TV series "Passions" |
| Melinda Rappaport | Fictional character from the film "A Beautiful Mind" |
| Melinda Brown | Fictional character from the TV series "Ghost Whisperer" |
| Melinda Jenkins | Fictional character from the film "Cry-Baby" |
| Melinda Grant | Fictional character from the film "Teen Witch" |
| Melinda Finster | Fictional character from the TV series "Rugrats" |