"honey, sweet"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Malinda
Pronunciation: [ m-ahl-EEND-uh ]
Does Malinda flow with your last name?
A sweet vintage name meaning honey
English
American
Spanish
Classic
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Gentle
Traditional
Elegant
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"gentle, soft"
Origin: Germanic
Language: English
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The Story of Malinda
Malinda is a variant spelling of Melinda, a name created in the 18th century by combining the Greek elements 'mel' meaning honey and 'linda' from the Germanic word meaning gentle or tender. The name was fashioned during the Georgian era when invented names with classical roots were in vogue among English speakers. The variant spelling Malinda gives the name a slightly more rustic, Americana quality.
Malinda and its variant Melinda peaked in popularity in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s, coinciding with a broader mid-century fondness for multi-syllable feminine names ending in '-a'. The name has steadily declined since the 1980s.
Melinda and its variants like Malinda enjoyed widespread use in 20th century American culture, appearing frequently in country music and Southern literature. The name carries a distinctly warm, feminine quality associated with classic American femininity.
Historical Record
Malinda first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 16,041 babies have been named Malinda in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Malinda is past its peak , currently ranked #2,880 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Melinda (and variant Malinda) was a top-20 name in the US during the 1950s and 60s
- The name combines the Greek 'mel' (honey) with the Latin/Germanic 'linda' (gentle, soft)
- Several American folk and country songs feature Melinda/Malinda as a name
Malinda in Other Languages
French
Mélinda
German
Malinda
Italian
Malinda
Spanish
Malinda
Portuguese
Malinda
Popularity Over Time
#2,880
Current Rank
Peaked 1973
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Malinda
M
Malinda Kathleen Reese
Entertainer
1988
American singer and YouTube personality known for her translation comedy videos
M
Melinda Gates
Humanitarian
1964
American philanthropist and co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
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Compare Malinda with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #2,880
- Total SSA Count
- 57
- Cultural Origins
- English American Spanish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Mal
Lindy
Linda
Mali
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Malinda
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Malinda
What does the name Malinda mean?
"honey, sweet" (from Greek). "gentle, soft" (from Germanic). Malinda is a variant spelling of Melinda, a name created in the 18th century by combining the Greek elements 'mel' meaning honey and 'linda' from the Germanic word meaning gentle or tender. The name was fashioned during the Georgian era when invented names with classical roots were in vogue among English speakers. The variant spelling Malinda gives the name a slightly more rustic, Americana quality.
What is the origin of the name Malinda?
Malinda has Greek, Germanic, English, American, and Spanish origins. In Greek, it means "honey, sweet". In Germanic, it means "gentle, soft".
Is Malinda a boy or girl name?
Malinda is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Malinda?
Malinda is pronounced m-ahl-EEND-uh.
How popular is the name Malinda?
Malinda is currently ranked #2880 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Malinda?
Common nicknames for Malinda include Mal, Lindy, Linda, and Mali.
What are good middle names for Malinda?
Popular middle name pairings include Malinda Rose, Malinda Jane, Malinda Grace, Malinda Ann, Malinda Marie, and Malinda Elizabeth.
What are good sibling names for Malinda?
Names that pair well with Malinda as siblings include Belinda, Clarissa, Phillip, Gerald, Susan, and Pamela.
How many syllables does Malinda have?
Malinda has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Malinda a common or rare name?
Malinda is an uncommon name, ranked #2880 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Malinda?
About the Name Malinda
Malinda is a girl name with English, American, and Spanish origins . The name means "honey, sweet" in Greek .
Malinda is currently ranked #2,880 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Malinda has 3 syllables and is pronounced m-ahl-EEND-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Malinda include Mal, Lindy, Linda, and Mali. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Malinda include Malia, Maliyah, Maliah, Malina, Malika . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis