Malinda

“combination of Mary and Linda”

English origin · Girl name

♂ 3% boys♀ 97% girls

#2388US 2023

76Births / yr

↑Rising

21kAll-time births

📅 Since 188000.04% of births at peak

How to pronounce Malinda

mah·LEE·nduh

/mɑ.ˈliː.ndə/ · stress on LEE · 3 syllables

“combination of Mary and Linda”

English origin · Girl name

What does Malinda mean and where does it come from?

Malinda is a relatively modern name that emerged in the 19th century. It can be seen as a combination of Mary, which has Hebrew origins, and Linda, meaning 'beautiful'. While the name is not extremely common, it has appeared in various cultural contexts.

Cultural significance

Malinda has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in English-speaking communities, where it reflects values of combination of mary and linda.

Peak popularity

Reached #252 in 1881 — currently #2388 in the US.

🌿

What middle names flow best with Malinda?

Malinda works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Malinda Grace

How popular is Malinda right now?

Rising fast — up 233 spots — currently #2388 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1880–2023#2388 · Top 1.8%

1965

1970

1975

1980

1985

1990

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2000

2005

2010

2015

2020

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#2388	76	▲ up 233 · +13% births
2022	#2621	67	▲ up 702 · +40% births
2021	#3323	48	▼ down 379 · -11% births
2020	#2944	54	▼ down 597 · -31% births
2015	#2347	78	▲ up 344 · +18% births
2010	#2691	66	▼ down 235 · -7% births
2005	#2456	71	▼ down 751 · -31% births
2000	#1705	103	▼ down 324 · -13% births
1995	#1381	119	▼ down 394 · -36% births
1990	#987	187	▼ down 199 · -12% births
1985	#788	212	▼ down 255 · -40% births
1980	#533	355	▼ down 25 · +1% births
1975	#508	352	▼ down 45 · -22% births
1970	#463	453	▲ up 31 · +22% births
1965	#494	372	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Malinda

Best Year1900Rank #372

Peak Count453

Average Rank#1225

Current Trend↘Falling

Data Range1900 - 202328 years

The story of Malinda

Malinda has been a beloved American name for over 144 years, first appearing in Social Security records in 1880. A total of 21,042 babies have received this name. Once ranked #263 in 1880, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #2388 in 2023.

Names that peaked alongside Malinda in 1881:

Mary Anna Emma Elizabeth Margaret

Malinda by decade

Malinda peaked in the 1880s. See all 1880s names →

Decade	Births
1880s	485
1890s	590
1900s	601
1910s	893
1920s	789
1930s	562
1940s	1,433
1950s	2,757
1960s	3,543
1970s ★	4,098
1980s	2,458
1990s	1,236
2000s	884
2010s	659
2020s	54

What are good nicknames for Malinda?

ENGLISH

Mindy

ANCIENT GREEK

Meliton

ENGLISH

Melina

FRENCH

MélinaMéline

What names sound and feel like Malinda?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Malinda also consider these

Malenda

English · a combination of

American · land by the

Jalinda

American · Possibly a combination

Salinda

American · A diminutive form

Kalinda

Indian · sunny, bright

How is Malinda written in other languages?

Common questions about the name Malinda

What does the name Malinda mean?

Malinda means "combination of Mary and Linda" — a name rooted in English tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Malinda?

Malinda is currently a distinctive and less common name as a girl name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Malinda have increased significantly in recent years.

What is the cultural origin of Malinda?

Malinda originates from English tradition. English names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Malinda?

Malinda is a three-syllable name pronounced M AA0 L IY1 N D AH0. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

What sibling names go well with Malinda?

Malinda pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar English heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.