Melinda

Melinda is an English and Hungarian feminine name that arose in the eighteenth century, most likely formed by combining the prefix Mel-, drawn from names such as Melissa or Melanie (ultimately from Greek meli, meaning honey), with the productive suffix -inda, as seen in Belinda and Lucinda. The name gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the 1700s and 1800s and became especially common in Hungary, where it was introduced through literary and theatrical culture. Notable bearers include Melinda Gates, the American philanthropist. Related forms include Melynda and the shortened pet form Mindy.