Declining since 1985, #4,546 for girls today.
Popularity of Lynda since 1882
Babies named Lynda per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 16 |
| 1890s | 39 |
| 1900s | 42 |
| 1910s | 148 |
| 1920s | 282 |
| 1930s | 2,195 |
| 1940s | 27,952 |
| 1950s | 22,689 |
| 1960s | 15,694 |
| 1970s | 4,349 |
| 1980s | 2,293 |
| 1990s | 1,058 |
| 2000s | 683 |
| 2010s | 400 |
| 2020s | 139 |
Meaning & origin
Lynda is a mid-20th-century respelling of Linda that enjoyed its greatest popularity in the 1940s, reaching its peak rank of 47 in 1947. Since 1985, its usage has been steadily declining. In 2025, the name ranked 4,546, with about 1 in 53,576 newborns given the name. The variant spelling Lynda was most common in California, one of its top states. While the exact origin of the root name Linda is debated, the name is widely associated with Spanish and Portuguese linda meaning 'pretty.' Lynda reflects the mid-century trend of altering spellings to create distinct yet familiar names, and it remains a recognizable choice for parents seeking a vintage feel.
Lynda is a variant spelling of Linda, which emerged in the English-speaking world in the 19th century. Linda itself likely derives from the Spanish and Portuguese word linda, meaning 'pretty' or 'beautiful,' though some sources propose a Germanic origin from lind, meaning 'soft' or 'tender.' The spelling Lynda became especially popular in the mid-20th century.
Where Lynda 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.
“Lynda” around the world
Where Lynda lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
25
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lin, Lindy, Lyn
Sibling names for Lynda
Names that share Lynda's style, for a brother or sister.
