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Melinda

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This article is about the name Melinda. For the genus of flies, see Melinda (fly).
Melinda
GenderFemale
Origin
Word/nameGreek
Other names
Related namesMelanie, Melissa, Mel, Linda, Lynda, Mindy

Melinda is a feminine given name.

Etymology

The modern name Melinda is a combination of "Mel" with the suffix "-inda".[1] "Mel" can be derived from names such as Melanie meaning "dark, black" in Greek, or from Melissa (μέλισσα) meaning "Honeybee" in Greek. It is also associated with the Greek word meli, meaning "honey", and with Linda, from "lind" meaning "gentle, soft, tender" in the Germanic languages.[2] Three possible nicknames for Melinda may be "Mindy" or "Meli" or "Mel".

Pronunciation

The typical English pronunciation of Melinda is /məˈlɪndə/. In Hungarian however, the stress is on the first syllable: [ˈmɛlindɒ].

Usage and popularity

The name Melinda is used in English and Hungarian. In the United States, its popularity peaked in 1973 at No. 72. In 1990 it was in the top 1000 names in the US, and in 2002 it was in the top 100 names in Hungary. Since its peak the popularity of the name Melinda has been gradually declining in the United States, to last be seen on the top 1000 list in 2002 at No. 932.[3] Variations in spelling include Melynda, Melyndah, Malinda, and Milinda.

József Katona, Hungarian playwright and poet, used the name Melinda first in 1815 in his legendary historical tragedy Bánk bán.

In Hungary, December 2 is Melinda Day.

Notable Melindas

In film and television

In music

In literature

In crime

In agriculture

In geography

References

  1. ^ Behind the Name: Meaning, Origin and History of the Name Melinda
  2. ^ The Best Baby Name Book in the Whole Wide World (1984) by Bruce Lansky
  3. ^ Popular Baby Names, Social Security Administration

See also

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