Melinda is of Latin origin, derived from the word 'mella', meaning honey. It was initially used as a pet form of Amelinda, which itself evolved fromameliorare, meaning 'to improve'. In medieval Europe, it was often given to girls born around harvest time due to its association with honey. Melinda gained popularity in English-speaking countries during the late 20th century and continues to be a beloved name.
The name Melinda experienced a slow start with steady growth from the late 1960s to the mid-1970s, peaking at 19 births in 1971 before declining slightly thereafter, although still maintaining a respectable number of births each year until the early 1990s.