Linda
Latinised short form of Germanic compound names ending in -lind, -linde (“tender, soft”) (English -inda), such as Sieglinde and Dietlinde, and earlier names such as Old…
Every Linda since 1880 — 1,458,899 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Linda
Linda is uncommon for girls in the United States, ranked #902 in 2025 with 294 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 1,458,899 American babies have been named Linda. Its peak came in 1947, when 99,908 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1940s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Linda stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Linda year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 294 | #902 | — | — |
| 2024 | 324 | #836 | — | — |
| 2023 | 324 | #841 | — | — |
| 2022 | 352 | #802 | — | — |
| 2021 | 328 | #844 | — | — |
| 2020 | 334 | #815 | — | — |
| 2019 | 362 | #769 | — | — |
| 2018 | 398 | #718 | — | — |
| 2017 | 410 | #704 | — | — |
| 2016 | 444 | #663 | — | — |
| 2015 | 429 | #666 | — | — |
| 2014 | 475 | #612 | — | — |
| 2013 | 447 | #627 | — | — |
| 2012 | 450 | #634 | — | — |
| 2011 | 491 | #590 | — | — |
| 2010 | 480 | #615 | — | — |
| 2009 | 555 | #549 | — | — |
| 2008 | 614 | #507 | — | — |
| 2007 | 662 | #492 | — | — |
| 2006 | 700 | #451 | — | — |
| 2005 | 754 | #415 | — | — |
| 2004 | 731 | #419 | — | — |
| 2003 | 741 | #409 | — | — |
| 2002 | 773 | #382 | — | — |
| 2001 | 839 | #354 | — | — |
| 2000 | 851 | #357 | — | — |
| 1995 | 1,234 | #231 | — | — |
| 1990 | 1,661 | #175 | 11 | #4,875 |
| 1985 | 2,114 | #137 | 12 | #3,714 |
| 1980 | 2,806 | #110 | 18 | #2,681 |
| 1975 | 3,522 | #81 | 20 | #2,259 |
| 1970 | 8,731 | #38 | 38 | #1,363 |
| 1965 | 19,345 | #8 | 63 | #933 |
| 1960 | 37,316 | #3 | 96 | #779 |
| 1955 | 51,300 | #3 | 104 | #718 |
| 1950 | 80,433 | #1 | 130 | #601 |
| 1945 | 41,465 | #2 | 111 | #578 |
| 1940 | 18,370 | #8 | 59 | #814 |
| 1935 | 1,197 | #165 | 10 | #2,477 |
| 1930 | 492 | #299 | — | — |
| 1925 | 438 | #320 | 6 | #4,000 |
| 1920 | 348 | #353 | — | — |
| 1915 | 290 | #349 | — | — |
| 1910 | 137 | #336 | — | — |
| 1905 | 105 | #330 | — | — |
| 1900 | 125 | #295 | — | — |
| 1895 | 96 | #290 | — | — |
| 1890 | 54 | #348 | — | — |
| 1885 | 60 | #257 | — | — |
| 1880 | 27 | #305 | — | — |
Famous people named Linda
- Linda Lovelace Pornographic actor · 1949–2002
- Linda Hamilton Actor · b. 1956
- Linda McCartney Companion · 1941–1998
- Linda Christian Actor · 1923–2011
- Linda Hunt Actor · b. 1945
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Linda mean?
Latinised short form of Germanic compound names ending in -lind, -linde (“tender, soft”) (English -inda), such as Sieglinde and Dietlinde, and earlier names such as Old High German Irmilinda and Old Dutch Frithelind, from…
How popular is the name Linda in 2025?
Linda ranked #902 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 294 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Linda?
1,458,899 babies have been named Linda in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Linda most popular?
Linda peaked in 1947, when 99,908 newborns received the name.
Is Linda a boy or girl name?
Linda is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Linda rising or falling?
Linda is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Linda?
Well-known people named Linda include Linda Lovelace (pornographic actor), Linda Hamilton (actor), Linda McCartney (companion).