Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Linda

The origin of the name Linda is not entirely certain. Most likely it developed as a diminutive for any Germanic female name containing the “-lind” element meaning “soft, tender” (such as Belinda). In addition, “lindo” is the Spanish word for “pretty”. The name has only been recorded since the 19th century and is therefore a relatively modern given name. Despite its recent origin, Linda has been embraced by many cultures throughout Europe including the English, Dutch, Finnish, Germans, French, Scandinavians and Slavic people. Although Linda is not a heavily used female name today in the 21st century, it once ruled the naming charts in the middle of the 20th century. Other forms include Lynda and Lindy.

All About the Baby Name – Linda

Personality

OF THE GIRL NAME LINDA

The Master Number Twenty-Two combines the traits of Twos and Fours into a powerful force. The references to The Master Builder and "large undertakings" serve to underscore the massive potential of this personality. They are extremely capable and therefore almost always successful. Twenty-Twos are courageous leaders, innovative thinkers, extremely wise and highly organized. As such, they are able to manifest something of major importance that will have a lasting impact on this world. Master Numbers carry with them a great sense of responsibility, so it can be a burden. However, Twenty-Twos are executors and action-takers. Further, this personality exhibits traits of the Twos, which brings sensitivity, spirituality and harmony, so their endeavors are likely to benefit mankind in some capacity.

Popularity

OF THE GIRL NAME LINDA

Linda has resided on the American female naming charts permanently since the late 19th century. At the turn of the 20th century, more than 100 years ago, Linda was used in moderation – it was a familiar name but not particularly popular. However, Linda would soon become a decade-defining American girl’s name. In the mid-1930s, the name began to soar in popularity and quickly landed not only a position on the Top 100 list, but a spot on the Top 10. All of a sudden, Linda was all the rage – and it happened with dizzying speed. For six straight years (1947-1952) Linda was the #1 female name in America. When we think of the 1940s and 50s we cannot help but to smile at names like Linda, Patricia and Barbara. Today all three are considered quite dated and out of style, but trust us when they say all the cool girls had names like Linda in the 1950s. Linda finally fell off the Top 10 list in 1966 and the Top 100 in 1979, but it was really the 1990s and early 2000s when Linda really started to decline on the charts. Today the name is used pretty infrequently and is considered less fashionable. Yet the pendulum of history will swing, and we think it’s only a matter of decades before this “soft and tender” name rears her “pretty” face higher up the charts again.

Quick Facts

ON LINDA

GENDER:

Girl

ORIGIN:

English

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

643

PRONUNCIATION:

LYN-da

SIMPLE MEANING:

Soft, tender; Pretty

Characteristics

OF LINDA

The Master Builder

Leader

Large Undertakings

Confidence

Discipline

Organization

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Linda

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME LINDA

We cannot find any significant literary characters by the name of Linda

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME LINDA

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Linda


Popular Songs

ON LINDA

Bella Linda
a song by The Grass Roots

Linda Paloma
a song by Jackson Browne

Linda
a song by Jack Lawrence

The Lovely Linda
a song by Paul McCartney

Slow Down Linda
a song by Eric Clapton

Oh, Linda
a song by Gordon Lightfoot

Looking for Linda
a song by Hue and Cry

Linda on My Mind
a song by Conway Twitty

Linda Mujer
a song by Lil' Rob [explicit]

Linda Lu
a song by Ray Sharpe

Linda Lou
a song by Foghat

Linda Let Me Be the One
a song by Bruce Springsteen

Legend of a Girl Child Linda
by Donovan Leitch

I Saw Linda Yesterday
a song by Dickey Lee

Don’t Listen to Linda
a song by the Monkees

A Linda Song
a song by Barry Manilow

Famous People

NAMED LINDA

Linda Evangelista (supermodel)
Linda Ronstadt (singer)
Linda McCartney (musician/wife of Paul)
Linda Hamilton (actress)
Linda Evans (actress)
Linda Blair (actress)
Linda Darnell (actress)
Linda Cardellini (actress)
Linda Fiorentino (actress)
Linda Gray (actress)
Lynda Carter (actress)

Children of Famous People

NAMED LINDA

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Linda

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME LINDA

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Linda