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Melinda

♀ Girl

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

Meaning: Black, darkMedium

In 30 seconds: Melinda is an English name carrying the meaning 'black' or 'dark'.
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Origin MediumEnglish, Hungarian
MeaningBlack, dark
U.S. rank (2024)#2104 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births91 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1970
Total births (all-time)≈ 135,724

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 197018802024

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

History & Origin

Melinda emerged in English use with a recorded meaning of 'black, dark', and the '-inda' ending gives it a graceful, literary lilt. The name has been worn by several notable figures, from actress Melinda Dillon to philanthropist Melinda Gates. It blends easily with related forms such as Melina and Malinda.

Its soft middle sound supports a range of short forms, including Mel, Lissa, and Missie. Melinda Gates, co-founder of the Gates Foundation, has kept the name visible in recent decades.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Melinda is 'black, dark', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - Melinda — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

LissaMalindaMelMelinaMissie

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Melinda Dillon (1939–2023)
    American actress, Oscar-nominated for Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Absence of Malice; played Mrs. Parker in A Christmas Story.
  • ★Melinda Gates (1964–present)
    American philanthropist, co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
  • ★Melinda McGraw (1963–present)
    American actress known for The X-Files (Melissa Scully) and Mad Men (Bobbie Barrett).

If you like Melinda…

Malinda— A listed variation, an alternate spelling of the name.
Melina— A listed variation with a shorter, related form.
Belinda— Shares the graceful '-inda' ending and rhythm.

Frequently Asked

What does the name Melinda mean?

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

How do you pronounce Melinda?

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

Is Melinda a boy or girl name?

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

How popular is Melinda?

In 2024, Melinda ranked #2104 in the U.S. for girls, with 91 births recorded.