Girl · 2nd of 12,526
Linda
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
1,458,588
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1947
Peak Popularity Year
99,909
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Linda stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Linda originates from the Spanish and Portuguese word meaning 'beautiful' or 'pretty'. It became popular in English-speaking countries in the mid-20th century and has historical roots in the linguistic evolution from Spanish and Portuguese. The name is associated with traits such as kindness and warmth, and it does not have biblical relevance. Notable people with the name include singer Linda Ronstadt and actress Linda Hamilton.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈlɪndə/
Origin
Spanish and Portuguese
Etymology
The name Linda is derived from the Spanish and Portuguese word 'linda' meaning 'beautiful' or 'pretty'. It became popular as a given name in the English-speaking world in the 20th century.
Meaning
beautiful, pretty
Language Evolution
Linda (Spanish, Portuguese), Lynda (variant spelling)
Historical Usage
Linda gained popularity as a given name in the United States and other English-speaking countries during the mid-20th century, particularly after the release of the song 'Linda' by Buddy Holly in 1947.
Variants & Derivatives
Lynda, Lin, Linnie
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Linda is perceived as a classic and somewhat traditional name, often associated with kindness and warmth. Although its popularity has declined since the 1960s, it remains a recognizable name.
Famous People
Linda Ronstadt (singer), Linda Hamilton (actress), Linda Blair (actress)
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 99,909 peak births in 1947
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in West Virginia
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 9 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 7162nd of 7545 | 6 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1017th of 6773 | 753 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 676th of 7552 | 2,321 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1602nd of 10718 | 481 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 4104th of 16616 | 195 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 339th of 9107 | 6,657 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 13th of 9204 | 222,445 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2nd of 12526 | 1,059,723 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 40th of 19264 | 118,425 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 160th of 27321 | 29,862 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 423rd of 35406 | 11,609 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 736th of 30306 | 4,621 |