WDYT of [name_f]Belinda[/name_f]?
Well…I think of the tiny, little science teacher I had in eighth grade (her first name)–and her big glasses and quirky smile. And of my physical therapist of the same name who was rather unpleasant. In and of itself, I think the nickname [name_f]Bea[/name_f] is cute, but i can’t think of a situation in which I would use the name.
This is my very first negative comment on a name post–not my style–but where I’m from this name has negative connotations associated with lower education levels and lower socioeconomic status. It’s also very much of my parents’ generation, along with [name_f]Linda[/name_f].
Now I’m feeling bad about my extremely classist comment. 
I’m not a fan of [name_f]Belinda[/name_f] and I think it’s just due to associating with someone who wasn’t very positive.
I [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] [name_f]Melinda[/name_f] though and they’re quite similar.
I have never met a [name_f]Belinda[/name_f], and I think it’s a good name, if a bit dated. It’s fresher than [name_f]Linda[/name_f], and can be shortened to [name_f]Bea[/name_f], [name_f]Bee[/name_f], or [name_f]Indie[/name_f].
I feel bad about mine too missyjane! But I think being kindly honest if possible is important
[name_m]Just[/name_m] looks like a worse version of [name_f]Melinda[/name_f] to me…not really my style but nothing is necessarily bad about it. If I saw it on a kid I’d probably think it’s cute!
I love love [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] [name_f]Belinda[/name_f]! 
It sounds to me like a sprightly dance, a waltz.
And such nicknames!
[name_f]Belinda[/name_f]
[name_f]Bel[/name_f]
[name_f]Belle[/name_f]
[name_f]Bella[/name_f]
[name_f]Belen[/name_f]
[name_f]Lin[/name_f]
Linney
[name_f]Linnet[/name_f]
[name_f]Lindy[/name_f]
[name_f]Linnea[/name_f]
and I am sure there are more. If I had a daughter now…
Recently met two [name_f]Belinda[/name_f]'s. Pretty and young – one was a teen and the other slightly older. They were rather nice. [name_f]Belinda[/name_f] is a unique name, it gives me the impression of a doll. Great nickname option of [name_f]Bel[/name_f], [name_m]Berlin[/name_m] or [name_f]Linda[/name_f]. I like it.
I much prefer [name_f]Melinda[/name_f]. When I was a kid, I knew a lady named [name_f]Belinda[/name_f] and she was very loud and obnoxious, so I view it as a harsh name.
I’m afraid I can’t say too much on it, because to me, it’s the name of a person who completely and totally betrayed my family. I will say one thing though - I would steer clear because of the meaning, the name means “serpent” and everyone in my family actually comments on the fact that the person in question lives up to her name.
Sorry, that likely doesn’t help anything, but I would honestly back away from it because of the meaning.
I like it, actually.
Only know 2 people named [name_f]Belinda[/name_f]. One is just a friend of a friend…the other is one of the most horrid people I know. She is a member of my extended family (married a cousin) and she is never happy unless she is causing problems.
Anyway…I don’t care for the name at all.
I don’t mind the name. [name_f]Every[/name_f] [name_f]Belinda[/name_f] I know has the nn [name_f]Lindy[/name_f].
To go along with some other comments: I never particularly liked [name_f]Melinda[/name_f], but have always adored the [name_f]Mindy[/name_f] nn. I’m more of a [name_f]Miranda[/name_f] person, nn [name_u]Randi[/name_u].
Come to think of it, I’ve worked with two [name_f]Belinda[/name_f]'s - two different jobs, both with short dark hair and around the mid-50 year old mark. The first went by [name_f]Lindy[/name_f] - she was going through her second round of chemo treatments, so her hands and feet were numb and I assisted with a lot of her paperwork and detailed tasks around the office. She became one of my favorite people. The second, I work with now - she’s from the [name_u]Texas[/name_u] area and of Mexican origin. She doesn’t have a nickname, but she would be the first one to admit she’s the craziest cat lady around - lol! To her credit, I will say that she’s one of the most hospitable, caring, comical people too
It is very dated.
I have always had a soft spot for [name_f]Belinda[/name_f], and I think it is overlooked. To me it is energetic, delicate, spritely, cheeky and sparkly!
It always had a kind of loopy or daffy feeling to me for no good reason. I almost think there must have been some character like that, because I don’t know anyone named [name_f]Belinda[/name_f]. But it’s also a nice enough name that if, say, if it were a close relative or friend’s name I wouldn’t be opposed to using it. I love the nicknames [name_f]Bea[/name_f], [name_f]Indie[/name_f] and [name_f]Lindy[/name_f]. Overall, I’d be pleasantly surprised if someone used it.
I have to agree with the negative comments. I associate it with lower-class women born in the late 50s-late 70s (not that I’m proud of my classist views, I just wanted to be honest). To me [name_f]Belinda[/name_f], [name_f]Melinda[/name_f] and [name_f]Gail[/name_f] are all similar names with similarly negative associations. I’m intrigued by people who prefer [name_f]Melinda[/name_f] to [name_f]Belinda[/name_f]. To me they’re much the same. I always think about how [name_f]Linda[/name_f] means beautiful, so these names sound like they mean “Me Beautiful” or “Be Beautiful” which I find kind of ridiculous.
I actually find [name_f]Linda[/name_f] much more poised for revival than these derivatives. I know it’s a “mom name” (Meaning moms born in the 40s, 50s, 60s), but it has some of that mid-century spunkiness shared with [name_f]Nancy[/name_f] or [name_f]Sally[/name_f] or [name_f]Betty[/name_f] that MadMen might bring back around.
I also found it refreshing on a character in the Wallander tv series starring [name_m]Kenneth[/name_m] Branaugh. His character’s daughter is a beautiful Scandinavian young woman in her mid-twenties named [name_f]Linda[/name_f]. It really worked for her.