Malinda

Awful spelling.

I have this name. Occasionally people comment about its uniqueness, but mostly people forget it and call me by another "m" name like Matilda. Malinda also doesn't have many nicknames, Mindy, or Linda or maybe Lindy. Overall, I would not recommend giving your daughter this name, I would have preferred almost any other "m" name anyway.

Melinda is alright, but I dislike this spelling. It looks quite harsh and unattractive, plus it reminds me of the word "malicious".

Ditto someone.

Melinda is pretty and has the obvious "honey" element in its first syllable, but Malinda has a touch of malady and malice about it.

I much prefer Melinda.