Linda
Linda: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈlɪndə/
Meaning and origin of Linda
Root meaning: “tender, soft”
- A female given name from the Germanic languages.
Etymology
Latinised short form of Germanic compound names ending in -lind, -linde (“tender, soft”) (English -inda), such as Sieglinde and Dietlinde, and earlier names such as Old High German Irmilinda and Old Dutch Frithelind, from Proto-Germanic *linþaz (“gentle, mild”), whence also Old English līþe (“gentle, mild, pliable, limber”) (English lithe). Later misassociated with unrelated Spanish linda (“beautiful”). The name became known through 19th century literature and the opera Linda di Chamounix (1842). More at lithe. The coordination language is named after Linda Lovelace, a reference to the programming language Ada, itself named after Ada Lovelace.
How popular is Linda?
Since 1880, 1,455,143 girls and 3,756 boys in the U.S. have been named Linda (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1 in 1947. Its highest rank for boys was #458 in 1947. In 2025 it ranked #902 for girls, with 294 babies given the name.
Names similar to Linda
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Germanic girl names
Sibling name ideas for Linda
Sister and brother names that share Linda's Germanic roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Linda FAQ
What does the name Linda mean?
Linda traces back to a root meaning "tender, soft". A female given name from the Germanic languages. Latinised short form of Germanic compound names ending in -lind, -linde (“tender, soft”) (English -inda), such as Sieglinde and Dietlinde, and earlier names such as Old High German Irmilinda and Old Dutch Frithelind, from Proto-Germanic *linþaz (“gentle, mild”), whence also Old English līþe (“gentle, mild, pliable, limber”) (English lithe). Later misassociated with unrelated Spanish linda (“beautiful”). The name became known through 19th century literature and the opera Linda di Chamounix (1842). More at lithe. The coordination language is named after Linda Lovelace, a reference to the programming language Ada, itself named after Ada Lovelace.
What is the origin of the name Linda?
Linda is listed as a name of Germanic origin.
How popular is the name Linda?
Since 1880, 1,455,143 girls and 3,756 boys in the U.S. have been named Linda (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1 in 1947. Its highest rank for boys was #458 in 1947. In 2025 it ranked #902 for girls, with 294 babies given the name.
Is Linda a boy or girl name?
Linda is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 1,455,143 girls and 3,756 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.