Zelda: Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, and More

Fact: After 1986, the name Zelda has been frequently associated with the video game The Legend of Zelda, often referring to Princess Zelda, a character from the game.

Zelda Overview

Meaning

Gray fighting maid

Gender

Girl

Origin

German

Etymology

Derived from the German name Griselda, meaning “gray battle maid”.

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈzɛldə/

Popularity

Zelda has gained popularity worldwide, particularly in the USA and the UK. In 2023, it ranked #703 for girls in the USA.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

5 letters

Numerology

3 (Expressive, Social, Artistic)

Name Styles

Vintage, Cool, Unique, Mythological

Associated Traits

Bold, creative, strong, unique

Name Day

June 19th

Zelda Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Selda, Zelde, Zeldina, Zeldah, Zeldora, Zeldria, Zelena, Zelia, Zelle, Zelida

Common Nicknames

Zel, Zelly, Zee, Z, Zizi, Zeda, Zelie, Zeldy, Zelina, Zeze

Diminutives

Zel, Zelly, Zee, Zizi, Zelie, Zelina, Zeldy, Zeze, Z, Zella

Famous People

Zelda Williams
(American Actress)
Zelda Rubinstein
(American Actress)
Zelda Fitzgerald
(American Novelist)
Zelda Harris
(American Actress)
Zelda Wynn Valdes
(American Fashion Designer)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

Princess Zelda
("The Legend of Zelda," Video Game Series)
Zelda Gilroy
("The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis," TV Series)
Zelda Spellman
("Sabrina the Teenage Witch," TV Series)

What Is the Meaning of Zelda?

Zelda means “gray fighting maid,” with people sporting this name having a spirited and vibrant personality

What Is the Origin of The Name Zelda?

Zelda is of German origin, deriving from the Yiddish name “Selig” meaning “blessed” or “happy,”

Zelda Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Zelda in the U.S. over the Years

United States	#6082021	#6692022	#7032023
Top 3 Rankings	#3741911	#3871905	#3881908

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Zelda

Year	Name Ranking	Number of Births	Birth Rate (%)
2023	703 (-34 from 2022)	401 (-34 from 2022)	0.02292
2022	669 (-61 from 2021)	435 (-56 from 2021)	0.02426
2021	608 (-51 from 2020)	491 (-35 from 2020)	0.02741
2020	557 (+107 from 2019)	526 (+90 from 2019)	0.02976
2019	664 (+3 from 2018)	436 (-6 from 2018)	0.02376
2018	667 (-20 from 2017)	442 (-14 from 2017)	0.02377
2017	647 (+40 from 2016)	456 (+30 from 2016)	0.02414
2016	687 (-41 from 2015)	426 (-17 from 2015)	0.02201
2015	646 (+509 from 2014)	443 (+229 from 2014)	0.02271
2014	1155 (+133 from 2013)	214 (+32 from 2013)	0.01094
2013	1288 (+278 from 2012)	182 (+43 from 2012)	0.00944
2012	1566 (+730 from 2011)	139 (+58 from 2011)	0.00717
2011	2296 (+317 from 2010)	81 (+12 from 2010)	0.00418
2010	2613 (+327 from 2009)	69 (+10 from 2009)	0.00352
2009	2940 (+180 from 2008)	59 (+5 from 2008)	0.00291
2008	3120 (+92 from 2007)	54 (+1 from 2007)	0.00259
2007	3212 (+102 from 2006)	53 (+4 from 2006)	0.00250
2006	3314 (+332 from 2005)	49 (+9 from 2005)	0.00234
2005	3646 (+845 from 2004)	40 (+10 from 2004)	0.00197
2004	4491 (-73 from 2003)	30 (+1 from 2003)	0.00149
2003	4418 (+486 from 2002)	29 (+5 from 2002)	0.00145
2002	4904 (+270 from 2001)	24 (+2 from 2001)	0.00122
2001	5174 (-1191 from 2000)	22 (-9 from 2000)	0.00111
2000	3983 (+1441 from 1999)	31 (+12 from 1999)	0.00155
1999	5424 (+936 from 1998)	19 (+4 from 1998)	0.00098
1998	6360 (+4476 from 1997)	15 (+8 from 1997)	0.00077
1997	10836 (-4445 from 1996)	7 (-7 from 1996)	0.00037
1996	6391 (+6995 from 1995)	14 (+9 from 1995)	0.00073
1995	13386 (-7673 from 1994)	5 (-11 from 1994)	0.00026
1994	5713 (+553 from 1993)	16 (+2 from 1993)	0.00082
1993	6266 (+48 from 1992)	14 No change from 1992	0.00071
1992	6314 (-1818 from 1991)	14 (-8 from 1991)	0.00070
1991	4496 (+563 from 1990)	22 (+4 from 1990)	0.00108
1990	5059 (-390 from 1989)	18 (-1 from 1989)	0.00088
1989	4669 (+171 from 1988)	19 (+2 from 1988)	0.00095
1988	4840 (+1083 from 1987)	17 (+5 from 1987)	0.00088
1987	5923 (-1200 from 1986)	12 (-4 from 1986)	0.00064
1986	4723 (+625 from 1985)	16 (+3 from 1985)	0.00087
1985	5348 (+191 from 1984)	13 (+1 from 1984)	0.00070
1984	5539 (-1431 from 1983)	12 (-6 from 1983)	0.00067
1983	4108 (+1426 from 1982)	18 (+6 from 1982)	0.00101
1982	5534 (-1003 from 1981)	12 (-4 from 1981)	0.00066
1981	4531 (-539 from 1980)	16 (-3 from 1980)	0.00089
1980	3992 (+1435 from 1979)	19 (+7 from 1979)	0.00107
1979	5427 (-1650 from 1978)	12 (-7 from 1978)	0.00070
1978	3777 (-775 from 1977)	19 (-7 from 1977)	0.00116
1977	3002 (+810 from 1976)	26 (+9 from 1976)	0.00158
1976	3812 (-1069 from 1975)	17 (-10 from 1975)	0.00108
1975	2743 (-187 from 1974)	27 (-2 from 1974)	0.00173
1974	2556 (-101 from 1973)	29 (-1 from 1973)	0.00185
1973	2455 (-433 from 1972)	30 (-9 from 1972)	0.00193
1972	2022 (+43 from 1971)	39 (-1 from 1971)	0.00242
1971	2065 (-576 from 1970)	40 (-27 from 1970)	0.00228
1970	1489 (+158 from 1969)	67 (+14 from 1969)	0.00366
1969	1647 (-557 from 1968)	53 (-42 from 1968)	0.00301
1968	1090 (-93 from 1967)	95 (-10 from 1967)	0.00556
1967	997 (-58 from 1966)	105 (-12 from 1966)	0.00612
1966	939 (+57 from 1965)	117 (+8 from 1965)	0.00666
1965	996 (-92 from 1964)	109 (-24 from 1964)	0.00596
1964	904 (-111 from 1963)	133 (-38 from 1963)	0.00679
1963	793 (-12 from 1962)	171 (-7 from 1962)	0.00860
1962	781 (+26 from 1961)	178 (+10 from 1961)	0.00878
1961	807 (+96 from 1960)	168 (+32 from 1960)	0.00809
1960	903 (-42 from 1959)	136 (-6 from 1959)	0.00654
1959	861 (+32 from 1958)	142 (+11 from 1958)	0.00683
1958	893 (+10 from 1957)	131 (+4 from 1957)	0.00634
1957	903 (-65 from 1956)	127 (-14 from 1956)	0.00605
1956	838 (+52 from 1955)	141 (+21 from 1955)	0.00685
1955	890 (+43 from 1954)	120 (+13 from 1954)	0.00599
1954	933 (-27 from 1953)	107 No change from 1953	0.00537
1953	906 (+47 from 1952)	107 (+11 from 1952)	0.00555
1952	953 (+43 from 1951)	96 (+8 from 1951)	0.00505
1951	996 (-111 from 1950)	88 (-13 from 1950)	0.00476
1950	885 (+50 from 1949)	101 (+11 from 1949)	0.00574
1949	935 (-93 from 1948)	90 (-18 from 1948)	0.00513
1948	842 (+56 from 1947)	108 (+11 from 1947)	0.00620
1947	898 (-166 from 1946)	97 (-25 from 1946)	0.00534
1946	732 (+71 from 1945)	122 (+34 from 1945)	0.00756
1945	803 (-89 from 1944)	88 (-23 from 1944)	0.00654
1944	714 (-9 from 1943)	111 (-7 from 1943)	0.00812
1943	705 (+20 from 1942)	118 (+12 from 1942)	0.00822
1942	725 (-44 from 1941)	106 No change from 1941	0.00762
1941	681 (-63 from 1940)	106 (-22 from 1940)	0.00851
1940	618 (-25 from 1939)	128 (+1 from 1939)	0.01084
1939	593 (-25 from 1938)	127 (-18 from 1938)	0.01120
1938	568 (-12 from 1937)	145 (-2 from 1937)	0.01270
1937	556 (+37 from 1936)	147 (+23 from 1936)	0.01334
1936	593 (-91 from 1935)	124 (-37 from 1935)	0.01151
1935	502 (-34 from 1934)	161 (-28 from 1934)	0.01481
1934	468 (+38 from 1933)	189 (+29 from 1933)	0.01746
1933	506 (-38 from 1932)	160 (-37 from 1932)	0.01530
1932	468 (+20 from 1931)	197 (+22 from 1931)	0.01781
1931	488 (-38 from 1930)	175 (-50 from 1930)	0.01586
1930	450 (+5 from 1929)	225 (+16 from 1929)	0.01929
1929	455 (-9 from 1928)	209 (-24 from 1928)	0.01806
1928	446 (+7 from 1927)	233 (-3 from 1927)	0.01949
1927	453 (-9 from 1926)	236 (+5 from 1926)	0.01909
1926	444 (-8 from 1925)	231 (-20 from 1925)	0.01878
1925	436 (+6 from 1924)	251 (+1 from 1924)	0.01987
1924	442 (+13 from 1923)	250 (+23 from 1923)	0.01929
1923	455 (-40 from 1922)	227 (-24 from 1922)	0.01812
1922	415 (-10 from 1921)	251 (-29 from 1921)	0.02012
1921	405 (+65 from 1920)	280 (+72 from 1920)	0.02188
1920	470 (-32 from 1919)	208 (-17 from 1919)	0.01672
1919	438 (-22 from 1918)	225 (-25 from 1918)	0.01915
1918	416 (-9 from 1917)	250 (+10 from 1917)	0.02079
1917	407 (-18 from 1916)	240 (-18 from 1916)	0.02136
1916	389 (+8 from 1915)	258 (+28 from 1915)	0.02376
1915	397 (+30 from 1914)	230 (+71 from 1914)	0.02246
1914	427 (-38 from 1913)	159 (+4 from 1913)	0.01996
1913	389 (+8 from 1912)	155 (+21 from 1912)	0.02367
1912	397 (-23 from 1911)	134 (+17 from 1911)	0.02284
1911	374 (+52 from 1910)	117 (+31 from 1910)	0.02648
1910	426 (+51 from 1909)	86 (+24 from 1909)	0.02050
1909	477 (-89 from 1908)	62 (-24 from 1908)	0.01684
1908	388 (+46 from 1907)	86 (+19 from 1907)	0.02426
1907	434 (-6 from 1906)	67 (+3 from 1906)	0.01986
1906	428 (-41 from 1905)	64 (-12 from 1905)	0.02042
1905	387 (+8 from 1904)	76 (+8 from 1904)	0.02453
1904	395 (+83 from 1903)	68 (+23 from 1903)	0.02325
1903	478 (+40 from 1902)	45 (+7 from 1902)	0.01618
1902	518 (-66 from 1901)	38 (-5 from 1901)	0.01356
1901	452 (+47 from 1900)	43 (-3 from 1900)	0.01691
1900	499 (-1 from 1899)	46 (+11 from 1899)	0.01448
1899	498 (+4 from 1898)	35 (-3 from 1898)	0.01414
1898	502 (+82 from 1897)	38 (+11 from 1897)	0.01386
1897	584 (-46 from 1896)	27 (-4 from 1896)	0.01088
1896	538 (+27 from 1895)	31 (+3 from 1895)	0.01230
1895	565 (+21 from 1894)	28 (+3 from 1894)	0.01133
1894	586 (-25 from 1893)	25 No change from 1893	0.01059
1893	561 (+201 from 1892)	25 (+10 from 1892)	0.01110
1892	762 (-93 from 1891)	15 (-1 from 1891)	0.00667
1891	669 (+58 from 1890)	16 (+2 from 1890)	0.00814
1890	727 (-3 from 1889)	14 (+1 from 1889)	0.00694
1889	724 (+69 from 1888)	13 (+2 from 1888)	0.00687
1888	793 (+354 from 1887)	11 (+6 from 1887)	0.00581
1887	1147 (-319 from 1886)	5 (-3 from 1886)	0.00322
1886	828 (+93 from 1885)	8 (+2 from 1885)	0.00520
1885	921 (-70 from 1884)	6 (-1 from 1884)	0.00423
1884	851 (-38 from 1882)	7 (+1 from 1882)	0.00509
1883	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1882	813 (-75 from 1880)	6 No change from 1880	0.00519
1881	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1880	738 First SSA data recorded	6 First SSA data recorded	0.00615

American States Popularity Rankings for Zelda

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

New York (NY)

#5952021

#6802022

#7462023

Texas (TX)

#7282021

#7612022

#8722023

California (CA)

#5772021

#5812022

#5582023

Pennsylvania (PA)

#8282021

#10262022

#8272023

Illinois (IL)

#6262021

#7432022

#5552023

Ohio (OH)

#6252021

#7762022

#6392023

North Carolina (NC)

#9452021

#8242022

#11252023

Florida (FL)

#6112021

#7282022

#8842023

Virginia (VA)

#7382021

#8502022

#11612023

Michigan (MI)

#6582021

#4682022

#6942023

Maryland (MD)

#5812020

#10772021

#9422022

Missouri (MO)

#3492021

#8152022

#5032023

Georgia (GA)

#9062021

#7412022

#11892023

Oklahoma (OK)

#3492020

#8402021

#5342022

Louisiana (LA)

#6602015

#9922017

#8392021

Indiana (IN)

#6272021

#4502022

#9082023

Arkansas (AR)

#6662019

#4922021

#5612023

West Virginia (WV)

#3762018

#3772020

#3832021

Iowa (IA)

#6882017

#3852021

#6752022

Kentucky (KY)

#7262021

#8522022

#8422023

Tennessee (TN)

#9872021

#5652022

#10052023

New Jersey (NJ)

#9312020

#11952021

#9572022

Alabama (AL)

#8292021

#8542022

#6172023

Colorado (CO)

#3662021

#3342022

#5152023

Minnesota (MN)

#3712021

#10042022

#7432023

Massachusetts (MA)

#10012021

#6672022

#7332023

Washington (WA)

#4802020

#4642021

#4702023

Kansas (KS)

#7372015

#7182016

#4392019

Arizona (AZ)

#5712020

#4672021

#8402022

South Carolina (SC)

#6762021

#6742022

#6162023

Oregon (OR)

#3842021

#3582022

#3672023

Mississippi (MS)

#5651965

#5861970

#5462017

Wisconsin (WI)

#7392021

#7122022

#5902023

Utah (UT)

#4662020

#6032022

#5822023

Idaho (ID)

#4442015

#4472017

#4492023

Nebraska (NE)

#2971917

#4992020

#5032021

Nevada (NV)

#6492018

#4422019

#4392021

Connecticut (CT)

#6092020

#5452021

#5232023

New Mexico (NM)

#3372019

#2622020

Hawaii (HI)

#2981962

North Dakota (ND)

#2651920

South Dakota (SD)

#2511917

Popularity Rankings for Zelda in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden

#1862022

#1522023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand

#2031930

#1891932

#1861933

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada

#4952020

#7452021

#8902022

Popularity in Poland

Poland

#7342014

#6242015

Popularity in Canada

Canada

#8352020

#8212021

#6402022

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland

#8682016

#7002020

#9052022

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales

#7352020

#8122021

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland

#8232015

#7772018

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Zelda a Name for Boys or Girls?

Zelda is a girl’s name. Its powerful meanings and rich origins make it a charming choice for girls.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Zelda

Selda
Zelde
Zeldina
Zeldah
Zeldora
Zeldria
Zelena
Zelia
Zelle
Zelida

Zel
Zelly
Zee
Z
Zizi
Zeda
Zelie
Zeldy
Zelina
Zeze

Zel
Zelly
Zee
Zizi
Zelie
Zelina
Zeldy
Zeze
Z
Zella

Zelda in Famous People Names and Pop Culture

Zelda Williams (Actress, 1989): An American actress and daughter of Robin Williams, she appeared in "House of D" and the series "Dead of Summer."
Zelda Rubinstein (Actress, 1933–2010): An American actress known for her role as the eccentric medium Tangina Barrons in the "Poltergeist" film series.
Zelda Fitzgerald (Novelist, 1900–1948): An American writer and painter, known for her novel "Save Me the Waltz" and her marriage to F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Zelda Harris (Actress, 1979): An American actress known for her roles in "Crooklyn" and "He Got Game."
Zelda Wynn Valdes (Fashion Designer, 1901–2001): An American fashion designer renowned for creating the original Playboy Bunny costume.

Princess Zelda ("The Legend of Zelda," 1986 Video Game Series): A key character and ruler of Hyrule who guides the protagonist, Link, in his quests.
Zelda Gilroy ("The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis," 1959 TV Series): A character known for her unrequited love for the titular character, Dobie Gillis.
Zelda Spellman ("Sabrina the Teenage Witch," 1996 TV Series): Sabrina's aunt and one of the main characters, known for her wisdom and magical abilities.

None

Selda
Zella
Zelma
Velda
Zadie
Zina
Zora
Zila
Zelie
Zanna

Sibling Names for Zelda

For a Brother
For a Sister

Parents Who Like the Name Zelda Also Like

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Helen Doanna

Editor in Chief, Educational Specialist, and Senior Content Creator

Expertise

Child Development Specialist, Child-care Coordinator, Family Support Specialist, Content Writer, Communications Specialist, Educational Consultant, STEAM Teacher

Education

1. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Literature and Journalism
Focus: In-depth knowledge of Literature, knowledge and skills to perceive, create literature or work in related fields; Basic knowledge of communications.

2. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Program: Bachelor’s degree in Education Faculty
Focus: Core knowledge of social sciences and humanities – the root for the development of progressive values of education, Multicultural communication in education, Contemporary education in the context of globalization, Learning in the digital technology era, Basic issues of STEAM education, Classroom Management, Special education.

3. Oregon State University, Oregan, US

Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Human Development and Family Sciences – Child Development
Focus: Different stages of development, from infancy to adulthood; Develop a strong foundation for a career in early childhood programs or classrooms; Learn strategies for supporting young children’s development in early childhood settings.

Helen is an experienced educational specialist and content creator, known for her innovative approach to children’s learning. With a background in literature and child development, she composes engaging educational content for SimpleKids.net. Her work emphasizes creativity, engagement, and simplicity, aiming to make learning enjoyable and accessible for children and their families.

Zelda Name Meaning