Home › Baby Names Directory › Malinda

Malinda

♀ Girl

Pronounced muh-LIHN-duh /mə.ˈlɪn.də/Medium

Meaning: Black, darkMedium

In 30 seconds: Malinda is an English girl's name meaning 'black, dark', closely tied to Melinda.
💕 Browse more names
Origin MediumEnglish
MeaningBlack, dark
U.S. rank (2024)#2905 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births57 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1969
Total births (all-time)≈ 21,394

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 196918802024

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

History & Origin

Malinda is recorded as English with the meaning 'black, dark', the sense carried by its near-twin Melinda. It sits in a group with Melina, Melinda, and Melisa, all sharing the Mel- root linked to dark or honey-sweet meanings. The first-syllable Ma- gives this spelling a slightly softer opening than Melinda.

The name's gentle three-syllable flow has made it a steady, familiar choice. Bearers of the related Melinda form include Melinda Dillon (1939-2023) and Melinda McGraw (born 1963).

Did you know? Malinda is a spelling variant of Melinda, so it keeps the same core meaning of 'black, dark' while changing the visual style.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - Malinda — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

MelMelinaMelindaMelanthaMelisa

Nicknames

—

Famous Bearers

  • ★Melinda Dillon (1939–2023)
    Female public figure listed on Behind the Name.
  • ★Melinda McGraw (1963–present)
    Female public figure listed on Behind the Name.

If you like Malinda…

Melinda— Malinda's near-twin and recorded relative, sharing the 'black, dark' meaning.
Melina— A recorded relative of Malinda within the same Mel- group.

Frequently Asked

What does the name Malinda mean?

Malinda is usually explained as meaning 'black, dark' and is most often linked with English tradition.

How do you pronounce Malinda?

It's commonly said muh-LIHN-duh /mə.ˈlɪn.də/.

Is Malinda a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Malinda is used as a girl name.

How popular is Malinda?

In 2024, Malinda ranked #2905 in the U.S. for girls, with 57 births recorded.