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Home › Baby Names Directory › Glinda

Glinda

♀ Girl

Pronounced GLIN-duh /ˈɡlɪn.də/Medium

Meaning: Glinda was coined by author L. Frank Baum as the name of the Good Witch of the South in his Oz books. It also reads as a variant of Glenda, from Welsh elements linked to 'holy' or 'good'. Its American use is largely a tribute to the beloved character.Low

In 30 seconds: A storybook name: Glinda is the Good Witch of Oz, coined by L. Frank Baum (said 'GLIN-duh'). It peaked around 1951, in the film's TV era.
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Origin LowAmerican, Welsh
MeaningGlinda was coined by author L. Frank Baum as the name of the Good Witch of the South in his Oz books. It also reads as a variant of Glenda, from Welsh elements linked to 'holy' or 'good'. Its American use is largely a tribute to the beloved character.
U.S. rank (2008)#18483 ↘ Falling
2008 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1951
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,547

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 195119312008

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

Glinda was invented by L. Frank Baum for the kindly Good Witch of the South in his Oz stories; it also reads as a variant of Glenda ('holy, good'). Its warm, magical image carried the name to a peak around 1951, in the era of the film's growing fame. It later eased off (said 'GLIN-duh').

Never widespread, Glinda grew rare after mid-century. It reads today as a charming storybook name. Magical, good-hearted, and uncommon.

Did you know? Glinda is the Good Witch of Oz, a name coined by L. Frank Baum, and it peaked for American girls around 1951 as The Wizard of Oz reached wide new audiences.
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Glinda — L. Frank Baum coinage; Good Witch of Oz; variant of Glenda

Variations

GlendaGlyndaLinda

Nicknames

GlinLin

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Glinda…

Glenda— the name Glinda varies
Linda— a like -inda ending vintage feminine
Belinda— a like soft -linda name
Melinda— a like mid-century -linda pick

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Glinda mean?

Glinda was coined by L. Frank Baum for the Good Witch of Oz; it also reads as a variant of Glenda ('holy, good').

How do you pronounce Glinda?

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

Is Glinda a boy or girl name?

Glinda is a girl's name, the Good Witch of Oz.

Is Glinda making a comeback?

It stays rare, though the enduring love for Oz keeps the name fondly known.

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