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Linda (F)>

Linda (female)

Variants:Lenda (F)
Diminutive(s):Lin (F)
Pet Name(s):Lindie (F) Lindy (F) Linnie (F) Lyndi (F)
Pet Name for:Belinda (F) Melinda (F) Rosalinda (F)
Derivative(s):Adelinde (F) Jaçlyn (F) Linden (F) Lynn (F) Lynne (F)
Derivative of:Rosalinda (F)
Can be spelt:Lynda (F)
   
Source(s): The Oxford Names Companion, OUP
"Scottish Forenames" - Donald Whyte, FGH, FSG

Wiktionary website
Notes:

English, coined in the late 19th century.

1. Whyte suggests that Linda may be derived from Old German "serpent" - a symbol of wisdom.

2. However ONC considers it likely to have originated as a diminutive of or pet name for Belinda. Alternatively Linda may have been a pet name for any name beginning with Lin- or ending in -linda or -lin/lyn. Some possibilities are listed, above.

3. Other possible derivations are:

a) from the Spanish word linda ("pretty") which has been adopted by Malay communities; or

b) from the German feminine suffix -lind ("soft" or "tender").