Belinda

Belinda is a feminine given name derived from the Italian words 'bella' meaning 'beautiful' and 'linda' meaning 'pretty'. It is a combination of these two words, creating a name that means 'beautiful pretty one'.

The name Belinda is believed to have been coined in the 16th century by the Italian Renaissance poet Giovanni Battista Guarini, who used it for the protagonist in his pastoral drama 'Il Pastor Fido' (The Faithful Shepherd).

The name became popular in England after the publication of Alexander Pope's poem 'The Rape of the Lock' in 1712, which featured a character named Belinda. From there, the name spread to other English-speaking countries and has remained a popular choice for girls.

Belinda is a melodic and feminine name with a pleasant meaning and a literary pedigree. It has been used consistently as a feminine name, with no known gender-neutral or unisex usage.

US popularity 2023:122 children

Tags

girllatinenglishliterature