Lynda

Meaning: Its source is a Spanish expression meaning "Pretty."

Languages: This girl's name is used in English.

Nicknames: Lyn and Lyndell

Popularity: The name Lynda ranked 329th in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

This name is highly rated in the 1990 U.S. Census popularity survey of all ages, but after 1960 does not appear in the state data listing the most popular baby names.

Narrative: Some authorities believe this name derives from the Germanic name element that ends the names Ermalinde, Gerlinde, and others. However, they do not agree on the meaning of that element -- some citing ''tender'' or ''soft,'' others believing that it refers to the serpent as a Teutonic symbol of wisdom.

An alternate theory holds that it developed as a short form of the English names Belinda and Melinda.

Arts and Music

Lynda Benglis (born 1941)
American sculptor.
- Created Heraklion (see list of 20th-century Contemporary Artists)

Miscellaneous

Lynda Mead
- 1960 Miss America, representing Mississippi (see list of Miss America Winners)
Lynda Sinay
- 1969 Mademoiselle Award winner (see list of Mademoiselle Award Winners)

Stage and Screen

Lynda Day George (born 1946)
American actress.
- Portrayed Mrs. Reynolds (see list of Actors on ''Roots'')
Lynda Goodfriend
- Portrayed Lori Beth Allen Cunningham from 1977-82 (see list of Actors on ''Happy Days'')