-inda names
- Jacinda
Origin:
Variation of JacintaMeaning:
"hyacinth"Description:
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.
- Melinda
Origin:
English combination nameMeaning:
"beautiful honey"Description:
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.
- Belinda
Origin:
Spanish or GermanMeaning:
"pretty one, or, serpent"Description:
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.
- Linda
Origin:
Spanish, Portuguese and ItalianMeaning:
"pretty"Description:
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.
- Lucinda
Origin:
English, Spanish, and Portuguese variation of LuciaMeaning:
"light"Description:
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.
- Glinda
Origin:
Literary nameDescription:
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.
- Clorinda
Origin:
Latin literary nameDescription:
Clorinda is a romantic name invented by a sixteenth-century poet, but has a synthetic sound today.
- Clarinda
Origin:
Literary elaboration of ClaraMeaning:
"bright, clear"Description:
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
Origin:
Arabic and SwahiliMeaning:
"part of a mountain; beautiful"Description:
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.
- Marinda
Description:
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.
- Colinda
Description:
Colinda is a melodic feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be derived from the Spanish name Celinda, a variant of Celina meaning "heavenly," or it could be related to the name Colina, meaning "hill" or "mountain." In some contexts, it appears as a variation of names like Calinda or Kalinda, which have roots in Spanish, Greek, or Hindi origins. The name has a lyrical, flowing quality with its soft consonants and vowel endings. Though uncommon in mainstream usage, Colinda occasionally appears in Hispanic communities and has seen sporadic usage throughout the 20th century. Its musical sound and cross-cultural appeal give it a romantic, somewhat exotic character while remaining relatively easy to pronounce and spell.
- Malinda
Origin:
Variation of Melinda, EnglishMeaning:
"beautiful honey"Description:
This spelling of Melinda is used primarily in Amish communities.
- Erlinda
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"spirited"Description:
Hillbilly twang.
- Dorinda
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"bountiful gift"Description:
Cinderella stepsister type Victorian-valentine name.
- Zarinda
Description:
Zarinda is a feminine name with exotic flair, possibly derived from combining elements of Arabic, Persian, or invented origins. It may be related to names like Zara (meaning "princess" or "radiance" in Arabic) with an ornamental suffix. Some interpret it as meaning "golden" or "precious flower" though these meanings aren't firmly established in linguistic tradition. The name has a melodic quality with its flowing syllables and distinctive 'z' sound. While uncommon in most regions, Zarinda appeals to parents seeking a name with an international, somewhat mystical quality. Its rarity gives children bearing this name a sense of uniqueness and individuality, free from strong cultural stereotypes or expectations.
- Florinda
Origin:
Spanish and Portuguese elaboration of Flora or FlorenceDescription:
Florinda may be taking a good thing, the name of the Roman goddess of flowers and springtime, and making it too elaborate.
- Sinda
Description:
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.
- Mirinda
Description:
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.
- Lorinda
Origin:
English elaboration of LoraDescription:
Echoes of two dated names: Lori and Linda.
- Odelinda
Description:
Odelinda is a rare feminine name with Germanic roots. It combines the Germanic elements 'odal' or 'uodal' meaning 'heritage' or 'homeland' with 'lind' meaning 'gentle' or 'soft', creating a name that essentially means 'gentle heritage' or 'tender homeland'. This elegant name has medieval origins and appears in variations across Germanic and Romance language regions. Odelinda may be related to names like Adelinda or Othilia, but remains distinctly uncommon. While it has historical precedent, Odelinda has never achieved widespread popularity in modern times, making it an extremely rare choice. The name has an ethereal, almost fairy-tale quality with its flowing syllables and romantic sound. For parents seeking a feminine name with historical depth, gentle meaning, and virtually no chance of duplication, Odelinda offers an intriguing option.
