Melinda
Coined in the eighteenth century from names such as Melanie and Melissa + -inda.
Every Melinda since 1880 — 136,159 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Melinda
Melinda is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #1,985 in 2025 with 97 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 136,159 American babies have been named Melinda. Its peak came in 1970, when 4,236 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Melinda stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Melinda year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 97 | #1,985 | — | — |
| 2024 | 91 | #2,113 | — | — |
| 2023 | 91 | #2,117 | — | — |
| 2022 | 83 | #2,269 | — | — |
| 2021 | 93 | #2,064 | — | — |
| 2020 | 105 | #1,856 | — | — |
| 2019 | 98 | #1,985 | — | — |
| 2018 | 120 | #1,722 | — | — |
| 2017 | 131 | #1,652 | — | — |
| 2016 | 139 | #1,597 | — | — |
| 2015 | 174 | #1,365 | — | — |
| 2014 | 165 | #1,397 | — | — |
| 2013 | 150 | #1,485 | — | — |
| 2012 | 174 | #1,350 | — | — |
| 2011 | 193 | #1,240 | — | — |
| 2010 | 227 | #1,099 | — | — |
| 2009 | 209 | #1,203 | — | — |
| 2008 | 253 | #1,037 | — | — |
| 2007 | 251 | #1,046 | — | — |
| 2006 | 252 | #1,017 | — | — |
| 2005 | 217 | #1,101 | — | — |
| 2004 | 219 | #1,059 | — | — |
| 2003 | 209 | #1,070 | — | — |
| 2002 | 242 | #927 | — | — |
| 2001 | 306 | #773 | — | — |
| 2000 | 337 | #696 | — | — |
| 1995 | 633 | #409 | — | — |
| 1990 | 1,381 | #208 | — | — |
| 1985 | 2,114 | #138 | 5 | #7,221 |
| 1980 | 3,201 | #92 | 15 | #3,052 |
| 1975 | 3,282 | #91 | 18 | #2,416 |
| 1970 | 4,225 | #93 | 11 | #3,010 |
| 1965 | 3,796 | #100 | 6 | #3,796 |
| 1960 | 3,046 | #143 | 5 | #4,411 |
| 1955 | 2,413 | #150 | 5 | #4,203 |
| 1950 | 1,163 | #222 | — | — |
| 1945 | 355 | #374 | — | — |
| 1940 | 302 | #383 | — | — |
| 1935 | 39 | #1,131 | — | — |
| 1930 | 21 | #1,791 | — | — |
| 1925 | 26 | #1,685 | — | — |
| 1920 | 23 | #1,790 | — | — |
| 1915 | 24 | #1,508 | — | — |
| 1910 | 16 | #1,152 | — | — |
| 1905 | 6 | #1,847 | — | — |
| 1900 | 20 | #852 | — | — |
| 1895 | 22 | #677 | — | — |
| 1890 | 13 | #781 | — | — |
| 1885 | 10 | #726 | — | — |
| 1880 | 14 | #462 | — | — |
Famous people named Melinda
- Melinda Gates Businessperson · b. 1964
- Melinda Culea Actor · b. 1955
- Melinda Dillon Actor · b. 1939
- Melinda Clarke Actor · b. 1969
- Melinda McGraw Actor · b. 1963
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Melinda mean?
Coined in the eighteenth century from names such as Melanie and Melissa + -inda.
How popular is the name Melinda in 2025?
Melinda ranked #1,985 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 97 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Melinda?
136,159 babies have been named Melinda in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Melinda most popular?
Melinda peaked in 1970, when 4,236 newborns received the name.
Is Melinda a boy or girl name?
Melinda is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Melinda rising or falling?
Melinda is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Melinda?
Well-known people named Melinda include Melinda Gates (businessperson), Melinda Culea (actor), Melinda Dillon (actor).