The name Linda is of Scandinavian origin and means "pretty" or "beautiful." It was derived from the Old Norse word "ljóðný," which combines two elements: "ljóð" meaning "song, poem" and "nýr" meaning "new."
The name Linda has been popular for centuries in Scandinavia but gained widespread international recognition during the mid-20th century when it became a top choice among parents in many English-speaking countries. Today, Linda is still a beloved name across the globe.
Historically, the name Linda was often used as a nickname or shortened form of longer names such as Hlín, which appears in Norse mythology as one of Odin's maidens. However, over time, Linda evolved into an independent given name with its own unique identity.
Some notable individuals named Linda include American actresses Linda Hamilton and Linda Evans, Swedish jazz singer Linda Pettersson, and Canadian poet Linda Besner. These women have contributed to the rich tapestry of cultural and artistic achievements associated with the name Linda.
These statistics show a significant decrease over time for the name Linda, from a peak of 2440 births in 1936 to just 321 births in 2023. The highest years were during World War II and immediately after, with the peak being 2440 births in 1936. However, starting around 1957, there was a steady decline, reaching below 1000 births per year by 1970. Since then, Linda has remained a relatively uncommon name, with fewer than 500 births per year since 2008.