-inda names

In the eighteenth century there was a poetic fad for names with the 'inda' sound, and, along with Belinda, Clarinda, Dorinda and Florinda, Melinda was one of those created at that time. It came into non-literary use in the 1840's, peaking in the U.S. in the late 1960s and 1970s: Melinda was a Top 100 name from 1967 to 1980. It began to fade as nickname Mindy ascended. Nowadays, however, Melinda feels more contemporary than cousins Melissa, Mindy, Belinda and Linda.

Lucinda, an elaboration of Lucia created by Cervantes for his 1605 novel Don Quixote, is a pleasingly pretty alternative to Lucy. It was subsequently used by Moliere in his play The Doctor in Spite of Himself' (1666). More in tune with the times than Linda, Belinda and Melinda, it could be used to honor someone with one of those dated names.

Linda will live forever in baby name history for toppling Mary from its four hundred year reign as Number 1. Queen of Names in 1947, Linda has fallen even further in favor than Mary today.

Belinda, cousin of Linda and Melinda, enjoyed a brief return to the Top 1000 from 2005 through 2013, only to fall off again in 2014. A name that some may consider a modern spin on the midcentury popularity queen Linda is in fact a classic with deep and fascinating roots. In Babylonian mythology Belinda was the goddess of heaven and earth, and the name later was used for the heroine of Alexander Pope's satirical poem The Rape of the Lock.

Glinda is famous as the name of the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz, invented by author L. Frank Baum. but has there ever been a real life, non-fictional Glinda? Not in the US last year.

Jacinda, a form of the lovely and unusual Spanish and Portuguese flower name Jacinta (for Hyacinth), was first popularized by the Australian actress Jacinda Barrett. Today, the girls' name Jacinda is most notable as the name of New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern, one of the first world leaders to give birth in office, widely credited with her strong and compassionate leadership during the coronavirus pandemic.

Rosalind feels fresher now.

A poetic name first used in Edmund Spenser's "The Faerie Queene" in 1596, it had a literary vogue in the 18th century, especially favored by Robert Burns. "inda" names--Melinda, Belinda, Linda" are not particularly in right now.

Kinda is a rare and pretty name with Swahili and Arabic roots. It rhymes with Linda rather than the colloquial combination of the words "kind of" — although many people will mispronounce it as such.

Clorinda is a romantic name invented by a sixteenth-century poet, but has a synthetic sound today.

Drinda is an uncommon feminine name with obscure origins, possibly a variant of names like Dorinda or a feminine form of Drin. It may have roots in Greek mythology where Dorinda was a character, meaning 'gift of God.' Another possibility is that it originated as a diminutive form of names beginning with 'Dr-' sounds or as a creative modern invention. The name has been sporadically used in the United States throughout the 20th century but has never achieved widespread popularity. Drinda has a distinctive, slightly vintage sound that sets it apart from more common choices. The name's rarity gives it a sense of uniqueness and individuality, appealing to parents looking for an uncommon name with a soft yet strong phonetic quality.

This spelling of Melinda is used primarily in Amish communities.

Cinderella stepsister type Victorian-valentine name.

Elinda is a delicate feminine name that combines elements of Elizabeth and Linda, or possibly derives from the Spanish name Adelinda. With roots potentially spanning Germanic and Spanish origins, it carries meanings associated with 'serpent' or 'beautiful.' This uncommon name has a lyrical quality with its flowing sounds. While never reaching mainstream popularity, Elinda has appeared occasionally throughout the 20th century, particularly in Hispanic communities and among parents seeking a distinctive yet accessible name. Its melody and subtlety give it an ethereal, romantic quality that balances uniqueness with familiar elements.

Mirinda is a feminine name with a melodic quality that appears in several language traditions. In Esperanto, it literally means "wonderful" or "amazing," derived from the verb "miri" (to wonder). Some may recognize it as a commercial beverage brand, though the name predates this usage. Mirinda has Latin influences and shares roots with words like "miracle" and "admire." The name has a pleasing rhythmic pattern with its three syllables and soft ending. While uncommon in English-speaking countries, it enjoys modest usage in parts of Europe and Latin America. Mirinda offers a unique alternative to more common names like Miranda or Melinda, providing distinctiveness while maintaining an intuitive pronunciation and spelling. Its positive meaning makes it particularly appealing.

Marinda is a melodious feminine name with multiple potential origins. It may be a variant of Miranda (meaning "worthy of admiration" in Latin), a combination of Maria and Linda, or derived from the Afrikaans name Marinda found particularly in South Africa. The name has a romantic, flowing quality enhanced by its gentle rhythm and soft consonants. While never reaching high popularity rankings in the United States, Marinda has maintained consistent if limited usage, appealing to parents seeking something recognizable yet uncommon. Its international character makes it versatile across cultures, while its similarity to familiar names ensures it won't seem too foreign. The name carries an inherent femininity and grace.

New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Barrett made this lovely and unusual flower name familiar to English speakers. Giacinda is the Italian version.

Sinda is a feminine name with multiple potential origins. In Spanish contexts, it may derive from 'linda' meaning 'beautiful,' with the 's' prefix adding a distinctive quality. Alternatively, it could be a variation of Cindy (diminutive of Cynthia), which has Greek origins referring to someone from Mount Kynthos and associations with the moon goddess Artemis. In some African cultures, particularly Tanzania, Sinda appears as a surname and occasionally a given name. The name has a gentle, melodic quality with its soft consonants and simple two-syllable structure. Sinda remains quite rare in most Western countries, making it an uncommon choice that offers uniqueness while remaining straightforward to pronounce and spell.

Hillbilly twang.