Minda

♀ Girl

Pronounced MIN-duh /ˈmɪn.də/Medium

Meaning: Minda is a pet form of Melinda or Belinda — and a cousin of Linda — names ending in the element '-linda', from Spanish 'linda', 'pretty', or a Germanic '-lind', 'soft, tender'. It carries that gentle, pretty sense.Low

In 30 seconds: Minda is a short form of Melinda or Belinda, tied to 'pretty' or 'gentle' (said 'MIN-duh').

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Origin LowEnglish, Spanish

MeaningMinda is a pet form of Melinda or Belinda — and a cousin of Linda — names ending in the element '-linda', from Spanish 'linda', 'pretty', or a Germanic '-lind', 'soft, tender'. It carries that gentle, pretty sense.

U.S. rank (2023)#16811 ↘ Falling

2023 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1951

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,600

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Minda is a diminutive of Melinda or Belinda, and a relative of Linda — all sharing the '-linda' element from Spanish linda, 'pretty', or a Germanic root meaning 'soft' and 'tender'. Given as a name in its own right, it distills that gentle sense.

It was never common, chosen for only a few dozen girls a year at its early-1950s peak, and it reads today as a vintage short form rather than a revival name.

Did you know? Minda clips the -linda names (Melinda, Belinda, Linda) to a trim two-beat pet form that stood on its own from the early twentieth century.

Overall data confidence 50%

References — Melinda / Belinda — short form; -linda 'pretty/tender'

Variations

MelindaBelindaMindy

Nicknames

MindyMin

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Minda…

Melinda— a parent name Minda shortens

Belinda— the other -linda name behind it

Linda— the related 'pretty' name it echoes

Mindy— the closest sister pet form

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Minda mean?

Minda is a short form of Melinda or Belinda, tied to 'pretty' or 'gentle, tender'.

How do you pronounce Minda?

It's said MIN-duh /ˈmɪn.də/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Minda a boy or girl name?

Minda is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Minda?

Minda has always been rare in the U.S., a vintage short form of Melinda or Belinda.