Declining since 1985, #902 for girls today.
Popularity of Linda since 1880
Babies named Linda per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 493 |
| 1890s | 872 |
| 1900s | 996 |
| 1910s | 2,395 |
| 1920s | 4,455 |
| 1930s | 29,358 |
| 1940s | 531,660 |
| 1950s | 564,364 |
| 1960s | 225,454 |
| 1970s | 45,900 |
| 1980s | 22,819 |
| 1990s | 12,815 |
| 2000s | 7,220 |
| 2010s | 4,386 |
| 2020s | 1,956 |
Meaning & origin
Once a towering favorite, Linda has settled into a quieter phase of its life cycle. In the latest data for 2025, Linda ranks 902nd among girls, given to roughly 1 in every 5,467 newborns. This is a stark contrast to its peak in 1948, when it was the number one name for girls in the United States. For decades, Linda dominated playgrounds and workplaces, and in the 1940s, it defined an era, becoming synonymous with the mid-century baby boom. Its decline has been steady since 1985, as newer -a ending names like Ava and Olivia rose to take its place. Yet, Linda still finds pockets of relative popularity: it is most common in Pennsylvania, Arkansas, and Kentucky, states where traditional names often hold stronger sway. While it no longer leads the charts, Linda remains a recognizable classic with deep roots in multiple languages.
Linda has multiple potential origins. It is directly from the Spanish and Portuguese word "linda", meaning "beautiful", and has been used as a given name in those cultures. Alternatively, it may derive from the Germanic element "lind", meaning "soft, tender" or "flexible", related to the linden tree. In English, it was used in the medieval period as a short form of names like Belinda and Melinda, but it became widely popular as an independent name in the 20th century, particularly in the United States. Its popularity soared in the 1940s, becoming one of the most common names for girls.
Where Linda is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Linda” around the world
Where Linda lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
55
babies in 2024
Ireland
4
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lindy, Lin, Linnie
Sibling names for Linda
Names that share Linda's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Patricia, Sandra, Deborah, Cynthia, Donna, Brenda, Cathy, Cindy, Darlene, Deanna, Debbie, Debra, Denise, Diane, Dianne, Joann, Kathy, Marcia, Marsha, Ronda, Sherry, Sheryl, Susan, Vicki, Yolanda, Barbra, Cathie, Cherlyn, Cindi, Debby, Diann, Dona, Gayla, Gerri, Glenda, Jerri, Kathie, Lorie, Lorrie, Maryjo, Marylou, Pamala, Patrica, Ronna, Saundra, Sharron, Sondra, Suzan, Tamra, Vickey, Vickie, Vonda, Barb, Carmon, Cathey, Cheryle, Cheryll, Cinda, Deb, Debbra, Debrah, Deeann, Deeanna, Deedra, Jacki, Janise, Londa, Loriann, Lorry, Lynna, Marijo, Marylynn, Melynda, Minda, Pamella, Sandie, Sharyl, Sherree, Sherril, Sherryl, Sheryll, Shirl, Sindy, Suanne, Sueann, Susann, Synthia, Wonda, Belynda, Bobbette, Branda, Charyl, Cherl, Chery, Cherylann, Cindia, Cindie, Cynda, Cyndee, Cyndie, Cynitha, Cythia, Deeanne, Deitra, Digna, Donalee, Drenda, Gaylynn, Glennda, Jenene, Jonda, Karole, Landa, Lenda, Lindia, Lindie, Lorenda, Lorra, Mylinda, Pamila, Pamla, Patrecia, Patrisha, Renda, Rinda, Rondi, Sharman, Sharol, Sharry, Sheliah, Sheral, Sherida, Sheril, Sherlin, Sherre, Sheryle, Suann, Suzzanne, Trenda, Barbar, Cheril, Cherly, Cherron, Cheryln, Chyrel, Chyrl, Cinde, Cindra, Cyndia, Cynithia, Dawnn, Debara, Debbe, Deborra, Debraann, Deby, Dejuana, Drinda, Evonda, Gaylyn, Janda, Janifer, Jeanny, Kathye, Leonda, Marikay, Monda, Patrici, Ronalee, Sande, Scheryl, Sharren, Shellia, Sherill, Sherrilynn, Shirell, Susen, Tammey, Terrianne, Wenda, Bronda, Deetra, Blinda, Brynda, Carloyn, Caroly, Cathyann, Cheralyn, Cheryal, Cherylee, Chryl, Colinda, Cyntha, Cythnia, Dawnya, Debbrah, Deborahann, Derhonda, Dorri, Gerrianne, Jacalynn, Kathee, Laurajean, Maronda, Marshia, Pammie, Particia, Pattiann, Rhanda, Rhenda, Rhonna, Sandar, Shaaron, Sharonlee, Sherral, Sherriann, Sherryann, Sherryll, Shirla, Soundra, Suzzane, Teriann, Terryann, Toyna, Trinda
Brothers: David, Michael, James, Robert, John, Darrell, Darryl, Dennis, Don, Doug, Glenn, Jerry, Joe, Larry, Rick, Rickey, Rodney, Steve, Steven, Terry, Curt, Darel, Darrel, Darron, Dian, Dwain, Garry, Jeffry, Karon, Randon, Rod, Rondal, Darry, Daryle, Daryll, Deryl, Garey, Gaylen, Sheron, Sherron, Daryel, Gayland, Gerad, Gery, Rondall, Ronn, Bary, Darrall, Darrly, Dereke, Jeris, Jerris, Kalev, Lealon, Mitcheal, Ronnel, Daril, Gaylin, Shiron, Stedman, Tery
Names like Linda
Names whose popularity has moved with Linda's over the last 50 years.
