Linda

Meaning: Soft, tender
Origin: Germanic — From names ending in -linde, later linked with Spanish linda, beautiful

Nicknames: Lindy, Linnie, Lindie

Girl's name · #902 in the US (2025) · Vintage

Popularity over time

Linda was #1 back in 1947, spent 6 years as America's #1 name, and stands at #902 today. About 1.5 million girls have carried it since 1880.

Across the states

See where Linda is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 24 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Linda ranks in other countries and regions.

#21 in Estonia (2025) · #61 in Austria (2025) · #79 in Czechia (2025) · #80 in Italy (2024) · #199 in Switzerland (2025) · #276 in Ecuador (2025) · #501 in Sweden (2025) · #552 in Poland (2025) · #626 in Netherlands (2025) · #718 in Ireland (2025) · #792 in France (2025) · #799 in Canada (2025) and 12 more.

Famous Lindas

Linda B. Buck — American biologist (born 1947)
Linda Hamilton — American actress (born 1956)
Linda Ronstadt — American singer (born 1946)
Linda Lovelace — American adult-film actress turned anti-adult-film activist (1949–2002)
Linda Blair — American actress (born 1959)
Linda Cardellini — American actress (born 1975)
Linda McCartney — American photographer, musician and animal rights activist (1941–1998)
Linda McMahon — American administrator and business executive (born 1948)
Linda Hunt — American actress (born 1945)
Linda Evangelista — Canadian model (born 1965)

In stories & tradition

Linda (Kara Zor-El) — Superhero appearing in DC Comics publications and related media
Linda — Literary character from Estonian mythology
Linda Park — The Flash (TV series)

What Lindas become

Among 3,481 notable people named Linda:

Medical professionals appear 1.28× more often than among typical names — e.g. Linda Laubenstein, American medical researcher (1947–1992).

Spellings & nicknames

About 100 girls a year are given Lindy as their full name.

Similar names: Lindy · Carolyn · Lynn · Brenda · Beverly · Belinda

Browse more girl names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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