Zelda Girl

Popularity: #630 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ZEL-duh /ˈzɛl.də/

Origin: German; Yiddish

Meaning: German: blessed; Yiddish: woman who is a warrior

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Zelda has its roots in the Yiddish name "Zeldah," which is derived from the Hebrew word "zelda," meaning "blessed" or "happy." This name made its way into the English language through various cultural exchanges, particularly during the 19th century when Jewish communities in Eastern Europe began to migrate and integrate into broader European societies. The transition from Hebrew to Yiddish and then to English reflects a linguistic journey that highlights the name's Jewish heritage and its significance in cultural identity.

Historically, the name Zelda has been associated with notable figures, particularly in literature and the arts. One of the most prominent early uses of the name in the English-speaking world can be traced to the early 20th century, notably through the works of American author F.

Scott Fitzgerald, whose wife, Zelda Sayre, became an iconic figure of the Jazz Age. Her vibrant personality and tumultuous life story contributed to the name's association with creativity and individuality, further embedding it in cultural memory.

Culturally, Zelda has resonated in various contexts, often symbolizing strength and resilience. The name has been embraced in literature, film, and other forms of artistic expression, often representing characters who embody these traits.

Additionally, the name has been linked to themes of adventure and exploration, particularly through its association with the popular video game franchise "The Legend of Zelda," which, while modern, draws on the name's historical connotations of bravery and questing. Overall, the name Zelda carries a rich tapestry of meanings and associations that reflect its linguistic origins and historical significance, making it a name that resonates with cultural depth.

Famous people named Zelda

In this section, you will find notable people named Zelda. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Zelda who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Zelda who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Zelda Fitzgerald is an author best known for Save Me the Waltz and her tumultuous marriage to F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Zelda Williams is an actress and voice actress best known for her roles in The Legend of Korra, Dead of Summer, and as the daughter of Robin Williams.

Fictional characters named Zelda

The following list of fictional characters named Zelda is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Zelda is a fictional character from the video game series The Legend of Zelda. She is often portrayed as a princess with magical abilities who plays a crucial role in the fight against evil forces.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Zelda, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

ZaraZinaZadie

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Zelda. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

SeldaLedaMabelClaraNinaFreyaLilaCeliaZinaZora

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Zelda was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Zelda has ranked as high as #1100 nationally, which occurred in 2020, and has been most popular in New York, Texas, California, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.

In the past 5 years the name Zelda has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Zelda is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Zelda was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Zelda.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 328 0 328
2024 377 0 377
2023 403 0 403
2022 435 0 435
2021 492 0 492
2020 526 0 526
2019 436 0 436
2018 442 0 442
2017 456 0 456
2016 426 0 426
2015 443 0 443
2014 214 0 214
2013 183 0 183
2012 139 0 139
2011 81 0 81
2010 69 0 69
2009 59 0 59
2008 54 0 54
2007 53 0 53
2006 49 0 49
2005 40 0 40
2004 30 0 30
2003 29 0 29
2002 24 0 24
2001 22 0 22
2000 31 0 31
1999 19 0 19
1998 15 0 15
1997 7 0 7
1996 14 0 14
1995 5 0 5
1994 16 0 16
1993 14 0 14
1992 14 0 14
1991 22 0 22
1990 18 0 18
1989 19 0 19
1988 17 0 17
1987 12 0 12
1986 16 0 16
1985 13 0 13
1984 12 0 12
1983 18 0 18
1982 12 0 12
1981 16 0 16
1980 19 0 19
1979 12 0 12
1978 19 0 19
1977 26 0 26
1976 17 0 17
1975 27 0 27
1974 29 0 29
1973 30 0 30
1972 39 0 39
1971 39 0 39
1970 67 0 67
1969 53 0 53
1968 95 0 95
1967 105 0 105
1966 117 0 117
1965 109 0 109
1964 133 0 133
1963 171 0 171
1962 178 0 178
1961 169 0 169
1960 135 0 135
1959 142 0 142
1958 131 0 131
1957 127 0 127
1956 141 0 141
1955 120 0 120
1954 107 0 107
1953 107 0 107
1952 96 0 96
1951 88 0 88
1950 101 0 101
1949 90 0 90
1948 108 0 108
1947 97 0 97
1946 122 0 122
1945 88 0 88
1944 111 0 111
1943 118 0 118
1942 106 0 106
1941 106 0 106
1940 128 0 128
1939 127 0 127
1938 145 0 145
1937 147 0 147
1936 124 0 124
1935 161 0 161
1934 189 0 189
1933 160 0 160
1932 202 5 197
1931 175 0 175
1930 225 0 225
1929 209 0 209
1928 233 0 233
1927 236 0 236
1926 231 0 231
1925 251 0 251
1924 250 0 250
1923 227 0 227
1922 251 0 251
1921 280 0 280
1920 208 0 208
1919 225 0 225
1918 250 0 250
1917 240 0 240
1916 258 0 258
1915 230 0 230
1914 159 0 159
1913 155 0 155
1912 134 0 134
1911 117 0 117
1910 86 0 86
1909 62 0 62
1908 86 0 86
1907 67 0 67
1906 64 0 64
1905 76 0 76
1904 68 0 68
1903 45 0 45
1902 38 0 38
1901 43 0 43
1900 46 0 46
1899 35 0 35
1898 38 0 38
1897 27 0 27
1896 31 0 31
1895 28 0 28
1894 25 0 25
1893 25 0 25
1892 15 0 15
1891 16 0 16
1890 14 0 14
1889 13 0 13
1888 11 0 11
1887 5 0 5
1886 8 0 8
1885 6 0 6
1884 7 0 7
1882 6 0 6
1880 6 0 6

Top States for Zelda (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 44
14%
TX 36
12%
NY 24
8%
FL 21
7%
WA 20
6%
MI 18
6%
OH 17
5%
MO 13
4%
NC 12
4%
VA 11
4%
IL 11
4%
AZ 11
4%
IN 9
3%
PA 9
3%
CO 8
3%
NJ 7
2%
OK 7
2%
AL 7
2%
TN 7
2%
UT 7
2%
GA 6
2%
MS 5
2%