Melinda

Melinda as a name

“Melinda” is a feminine given name of Greek origin, derived from the Greek words “melas” which means “black, dark” and “hyndē” which means “woman”. The name is generally believed to mean “dark woman” or “woman of dark beauty”.

The name Melinda became popular in the United States in the mid-20th century, particularly during the 1950s and 1960s. It was likely influenced by the popularity of similar-sounding names like Melissa and Linda. Melinda was also the name of a main character in the 1945 play “The Time of Your Life” by William Saroyan, which may have contributed to its popularity.

Famous people named Melinda include Melinda Gates, the American philanthropist and wife of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, and Melinda Clarke, an American actress known for her roles in “The O.C.” and “Nikita”.