Malinda Girl

Popularity: #889 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: mah-LIN-dah //məˈlɪn.də//

Origin: English; Spanish

Meaning: English: combination of 'Mal' (bad) and 'Linda' (pretty); Spanish: 'pretty'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Malinda has its roots in the combination of elements from various linguistic traditions. It is believed to be derived from the Latin word "malus," meaning "bad" or "evil," combined with the suffix "-inda," which is often associated with feminine names.

This construction suggests a potential meaning of "badness" or "evilness," though interpretations can vary. The name likely entered English usage through adaptations from Latin and possibly influenced by similar names in other languages, such as the Spanish "Malinda" or the Italian "Malinda," which may have contributed to its spread in the English-speaking world.

Historically, the name Malinda can be traced back to the 19th century, where it appeared in various literary works and was occasionally used in the context of American naming practices. While there are no prominent biblical figures or saints directly associated with the name, it may have been inspired by the broader cultural movements of the time, including the Romantic era's fascination with unique and exotic names.

The name's usage in literature and its melodic quality likely contributed to its adoption during this period. Culturally, Malinda may evoke themes of beauty and complexity, often associated with the feminine ideal in literature and art.

The name's lyrical sound has made it appealing in various artistic expressions, though it has not been widely documented in folklore or traditional narratives. The diminutive form "Linda" has also been historically relevant, as it shares phonetic similarities and has been a popular name in its own right, often symbolizing beauty and grace.

Overall, Malinda represents a blend of linguistic heritage and cultural significance, reflecting the evolving nature of names across time.

Famous people named Malinda

In this section, you will find notable people named Malinda. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Malinda who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Malinda who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Malinda Williams is an actress best known for Soul Food, The Wood, and A Family That Preys.

Malinda Kathleen Reese is a singer and songwriter best known for her YouTube channel and viral songs.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Malinda, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

MelindaAmandaLindaAlindaBelinda

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Malinda. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

MelindaBelindaLindaAlindaCassandraMirandaSabrinaSelina

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Malinda was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Malinda has ranked as high as #801 nationally, which occurred in 1969, and has been most popular in Pennsylvania, Ohio, California, Texas, and Indiana.

In the past 5 years the name Malinda has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Malinda is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Malinda was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Malinda.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 59 59
2024 58 58
2023 76 76
2022 67 67
2021 48 48
2020 60 60
2019 62 62
2018 71 71
2017 64 64
2016 67 67
2015 80 80
2014 84 84
2013 75 75
2012 59 59
2011 55 55
2010 70 70
2009 97 97
2008 83 83
2007 83 83
2006 97 97
2005 80 80
2004 90 90
2003 89 89
2002 108 108
2001 108 108
2000 111 111
1999 80 80
1998 92 92
1997 113 113
1996 95 95
1995 119 119
1994 127 127
1993 132 132
1992 152 152
1991 154 154
1990 187 187
1989 167 167
1988 196 196
1987 210 210
1986 200 200
1985 212 212
1984 261 261
1983 243 243
1982 292 292
1981 322 322
1980 355 355
1979 404 404
1978 440 440
1977 364 364
1976 382 382
1975 353 353
1974 399 399
1973 459 459
1972 419 419
1971 427 427
1970 453 453
1969 460 460
1968 388 388
1967 334 334
1966 309 309
1965 372 372
1964 340 340
1963 338 338
1962 357 357
1961 330 330
1960 316 316
1959 387 387
1958 366 366
1957 328 328
1956 306 306
1955 263 263
1954 235 235
1953 226 226
1952 210 210
1951 212 212
1950 224 224
1949 227 227
1948 165 165
1947 183 183
1946 158 158
1945 128 128
1944 121 121
1943 121 121
1942 131 131
1941 97 97
1940 102 102
1939 74 74
1938 69 69
1937 70 70
1936 55 55
1935 42 42
1934 55 55
1933 51 51
1932 49 49
1931 51 51
1930 46 46
1929 53 53
1928 66 66
1927 73 73
1926 70 70
1925 81 81
1924 70 70
1923 90 90
1922 87 87
1921 82 82
1920 117 117
1919 102 102
1918 118 118
1917 90 90
1916 109 109
1915 113 113
1914 86 86
1913 84 84
1912 85 85
1911 58 58
1910 48 48
1909 49 49
1908 56 56
1907 66 66
1906 69 69
1905 60 60
1904 52 52
1903 58 58
1902 72 72
1901 38 38
1900 81 81
1899 59 59
1898 69 69
1897 66 66
1896 52 52
1895 60 60
1894 62 62
1893 40 40
1892 53 53
1891 67 67
1890 62 62
1889 44 44
1888 73 73
1887 50 50
1886 53 53
1885 45 45
1884 55 55
1883 47 47
1882 43 43
1881 40 40
1880 35 35

Top States for Malinda (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
PA 20
65%
IN 6
19%
OH 5
16%