Lindy is a unisex given name, originally used as a masculine name in the United States following the 1927 popularization of the dance called the Lindy Hop, which itself was likely named in honor of aviator Charles Lindbergh. Later, it became a female name, serving as a diminutive of Linda, as well as other names like Belinda or Melinda. Etymology and Historical Context The dance name Lindy Hop emerged in the late 1920s, connected to aviator Charles Lindbergh's transatlantic flight in 1927. The term was originally applied to a swing dance that became wildly popular in the 1930s and 1940s, often abbreviated to "Lindy" or "Lindies" for shorter steps. The name Lindy for boys thus reflects this aeronautical and cultural link, but it soon shifted to a feminine context as a short form of Linda. By the mid-20th century, Linda itself had skyrocketed in popularity, influenced by similar fads and celebrity usage. As a variant of Linda, the meaning parallels that name's etymology from both Germanic and Romance sources: lind meaning "soft, flexible, tender" in Germanic, and coinciding with the Spanish/Portuguese word linda meaning "beautiful." Thus Lindy conveys a sense of beauty or tenderness. Notable Bearers Women: Lindy Booth (born 1979), Canadian actress at The Philadelphia Experiment and TV series The Lake Lindy Elkins-Tanton (born 1965), American planetary scientist and leader of NASA's Psyche mission Lindy Hemming (born 1948), Welsh Oscar-winning costummerd for Gladiator and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Lindy Davies (born 1946), Australian actress, director and drama teacher Men (less common): Lindy Ruff (born 1960), Canadian ice hockey player and NHL head coach Lindy McBride, American pioneering F/A-18 test pilot Variants and Forms Other diminutives of Linda that overlap or parallel Lindy include Lyndi (a respelling), Linnie, and Linn (also a Swedish standalone). Internationally, similar names exist as Linde (Dutch) and Linza (Germanic), reflecting the popularity of the parent root. Meaning: Beautiful (from Linda) or linked to linden tree (as a masculine variant) Origin: Primarily diminutive of Linda or named after the Lindy Hop dance Type: Unisex given name Usage regions: Primarily English-speaking, especially in the USA, Canada, Australia, and UK