Declining since 1985, #2,859 for girls today.
Popularity of Malinda since 1880
Babies named Malinda per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1969, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Malinda's real moment was 1881.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 485 |
| 1890s | 590 |
| 1900s | 601 |
| 1910s | 893 |
| 1920s | 789 |
| 1930s | 562 |
| 1940s | 1,433 |
| 1950s | 2,757 |
| 1960s | 3,544 |
| 1970s | 4,100 |
| 1980s | 2,458 |
| 1990s | 1,251 |
| 2000s | 946 |
| 2010s | 687 |
| 2020s | 368 |
Meaning & origin
Malinda is a variant spelling of Melinda that enjoyed its greatest popularity in the late 19th century, peaking in 1881 at rank 2859. After falling out of fashion for decades, it has seen a steady decline since at least 1985, and today it is a rare choice, given to roughly 1 in 27,242 baby girls in 2025. The name was most prevalent in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Missouri during the 1880s, reflecting its popularity in the Midwest and mid-Atlantic regions. As a feminine name with a soft, melodic sound, Malinda feels both vintage and fresh, though it remains far less common than its better-known variant Melinda.
Malinda is a variant spelling of Melinda, which itself emerged in the 18th century as a literary coinage combining Melissa (from Greek melissa, 'bee') and Linda (from Spanish linda, 'pretty'). The name gained popularity in the United States during the 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in the 1880s.
Where Malinda 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.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mal, Lin, Mindy, Linda
Sibling names for Malinda
Names that share Malinda's style, for a brother or sister.
