Meaning: Its source is glan da, a Welsh name meaning "Sanctified good."

Popularity: The name Glinda ranked 2515th in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

Though this name appears on the 1990 U.S. Census lists, it is used by only a small percentage of the general population.

Narrative: This name is a modern creation, popularized in the 20th century by the British actresses Glenda Ferrell and Glenda Jackson.

How many times have you seen the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz? Enough times to remember the character of Glenda the Good Witch?

There is no such character in the film. The powder-blue fairy, played by Billie Burke, was named Glinda, possibly a blend of Glenda and Linda. Given Glenda's meaning (sanctified good) and Linda's (pretty), it is difficult to imagine a more agreeable blending of names for a Good Witch.