The given name Orlanda originated from the Spanish and Italian languages, emerging in the late medieval period around the 12th century. It is derived from the French name Roland, which itself is a Germanic name composed of the elements "hrod" meaning "fame" and "land" meaning "land" or "territory." This name was made popular through the legend of the heroic knight Roland, a military leader during the reign of Charlemagne in the 8th century.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Orlanda can be found in the epic poem "La Chanson de Roland" (The Song of Roland), a masterpiece of Old French literature dating back to the 11th century. This poem recounts the story of Roland, a brave Frankish knight who fought against the Saracens in the Battle of Roncevaux Pass during Charlemagne's campaign in Spain. The name Orlanda is believed to be a feminine form of Roland, possibly influenced by the Italian language.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Orlanda. One of the earliest recorded examples is Orlanda di Lasso (c. 1532-1594), a renowned Flemish Renaissance composer known for his madrigals and sacred music. Another prominent figure was Orlanda Gomez (c. 1580-c. 1630), a Spanish poet and nun who wrote religious poetry and is considered one of the leading voices of the Spanish Golden Age.

In the 17th century, Orlanda Gigli (1640-1722) was an Italian painter and engraver from Florence, known for her highly detailed and naturalistic still-life paintings. She was one of the few female artists of her time to achieve recognition and success in the male-dominated art world.

Moving forward to the 19th century, Orlanda Ward (1821-1899) was an American Baptist missionary who spent over 40 years serving in Burma (now Myanmar). She played a significant role in the establishment of several schools and churches in the region, contributing to the spread of Christianity and education.

In more recent times, Orlanda Amarilis (1924-2011) was a renowned Puerto Rican poet, essayist, and educator. She is regarded as one of the most influential voices in Puerto Rican literature and is celebrated for her poetic works that explored themes of identity, culture, and social justice.