She’s an exotic Z-name, but might prove surprisingly easy to wear.
Thanks to Lola for suggesting our Name of the Day: Zelda.
Zelda’s origins are uncertain. Some speculate that she’s the feminine version of Selig – from the Yiddish for happy. There’s also evidence that Zelda is a diminutive of Griselda, one of those fabulous Germanic names with an ominous meaning – in her case, dark battle.
While she’s always been uncommon, Zelda was once more frequently heard. She appeared in the US Top 1000 every year from 1888 to 1967, peaking at #380 in 1911. At least two works of fiction boosted the name’s popularity:
- In 1866, Jane Howard’s Zelda: A Tale of the Massachusetts Colony and
- Robert Edward Francillon’s Zelda’s Fortune in 1874.
But the first Zelda that comes to mind is half of the jazz age couple F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. Her legacy lends the name an exuberant, 1920s flapper feel. Many of her husband’s heroines share some of Zelda’s attributes. She’s an intriguing, stylish figure.
Others have worn the name, including Israeli poet known simply as Zelda; actress Zelda Rubinstein who played the tiny psychic in the Poltergeist movies; and Robin Williams’ daughter, Zelda Rae, now embarking on an acting career of her own.
The most modern Zelda is fictional. In 1986, Nintendo released the genre-busting Legend of Zelda video game. Players guided their hero, Link, through a series of underground dungeons. Link’s quest, of course, was to find and rescue Princess Zelda.
The game was a bestseller and has been reinvented over the years, becoming more and more sophisticated. Interestingly, the game’s creator has said that his princess was named after Mrs. Fitzgerald while Robin Williams has stated that his daughter is named after the video game character.
A few other pop culture Zeldas bear mention:
- Marilyn Monroe sometimes used the pseudonym Zelda Zonk;
- Sabrina, the Teenage Witch featured an aunt Zelda in both the comic book and television incarnations of her story;
- From 1959 to 1963, the case of CBS’ The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis included Zelda Gilroy. She had a crush on awkward adolescent Dobie.
But none of them can eclipse the legacy of the jazz age figure. And while a celebrity name sometimes feels like a burden for a child, the decades between them serve as a buffer.
It also helps that Zelda shares some attributes with popular names of the moment. The “el” sound is so current, it’s almost overexposed – Isabella, Gabrielle, Ella, Bella. And two-syllable, ends-in-a names continue to be hot. See not only Ella and Bella, but Emma, Hannah, Ava, Mia and Sara – all Top 20 picks in 2007.
The result is a name that sounds distinctive, but not out of step with her contemporaries. If you’re looking for something daring but not outrageous, Zelda might just fit the bill.
bonniebrownhair says
December 16, 2008 at 7:11 AMOops. Bonniebrownhair is Emmy Jo. I’m not sure why this is showing up under my other screenname.
bonniebrownhair says
December 16, 2008 at 7:10 AMWe don’t have TV service in our house yet, so my husband has broken out the old video games and has been playing Legend of Zelda and Mario Brothers relentlessly. I’ll have to ask him about this one! This could be an oddball he’d actually go for! 🙂
Nessa says
December 15, 2008 at 7:32 PMMy husband would be ecstatic if I’d go for this name. He’s a “gamer” and would love to name a baby after a video game character, we at one point were considering Lincoln nn Link. I had no idea Marilyn Monroe used Zelda Zonk, and I thought I knew everything about her! I like the sound of Zelda, and the letter Z is so fun, but to my crowd Zelda will always be Legend of Zelda, and to me, Zelda is first and foremost a witch (as are Hilda and Sabrina), however smart and pretty she may have been on the show. I’d never be able to get past those obstacles. Plus, my husband would force her to love the video game, and dress her up as the princess all the time, I’m sure. I think it’s great for other people, though!
Cat says
December 15, 2008 at 5:55 PMI love Zelda, because of the video game character. 😳 I love the Legend of Zelda games a ton, and while I wouldn’t name a child after the games, it is definitely on my radar because of them. I think it’s spunky and fresh without being eternally childish. I also love the way it looks written down: the tall Z, short e, tall l tall d, short a. Just seems very balanced to me. I would love to see more Zelda’s around!
Lola says
December 15, 2008 at 5:54 PMThanks Verity! (Thank you too, Shannon!) Zelda’s been my favorite name since I was two (I’m sure I’ve mentioned the stuffed Zelda before).I love Zelda’s sound and her look’s lovely too. Meaning aside, her literary assocations are wonderful and her namesakes are pretty interesting. Zelda Fitzgerald was a stunningly disturbed woman, by all accounts I’ve read but oh, what a storybook life! I think Zelda Gilroy might have been where I got Zelda from, now that I think about it. I remember watching Dobie Gillis in reruns a lot when I was a kid (I gloried in the Nick at night reruns yet again when I was a teen, didn’t Dobie end up with Zelda in the end? I think so!).
Zelda’s got such a happy sound and really, the game is nothing to worry about. I mean, if Link can come back (I think this is at least partially responsible for Lincoln’s coming return). I’ve also seen an Aerith (from Final Fantasy VII) & a Ryu (Capcom vs. SNK 2) (Yes, I’ve met kids with these names), then why not Zelda? She’s currently in my top 10 and I doubt she’s leaving anytime soon. I think Zelda’s awesome indeed.
Oh, and Zelda Rae Williams? Keep an eye on her, she’s going places!
Lola says
December 15, 2008 at 5:52 PMThanks Verity! (Thank you too, Shannon!) Zelda’s been my favorite name since I was two (I’m sure I’ve mentioned the stuffed Zelda before).I love Zelda’s sound and her look’s lovely too. Meaning aside, her literary assocations are wonderful and her namesakes are pretty interesting. Zelda Fitzgerald was a stunningly disturbed woman, by all accounts I’ve read but oh, what a storybook life! I think Zelda Gilroy might have been where I got Zelda from, now that I think about it. I remember watching Dobie Gillis in reruns a lot when I was a kid (I gloried in the Nick at night reruns yet again when I was a teen, didn’t Dobie end up with Zelda in the end? I think so!).
Zelda’s got such a happy sound and really, the game is nothing to worry about. I mean, if Link can come back (I think this is at least partially responsible for Lincoln’s coming return). I’ve also seen an Aerith (from Final Fantasy VII) & a Ryu (Capcom vs. SNK 2) (Yes, I’ve met kids with these names), then why not Zelda? She’s currently in my top 10 and I doubt she’s leaving anytime soon. I think Zelda’s awesome indeed.
Oh, and Zelda Rae Williams? Keep an eye on her, she’s going places!
Shannon says
December 15, 2008 at 5:10 PMI like the Ell sound but not the elda one.. not there are many names that end in Elda. Griselda, Zelda, Imelda? I’m trying to picture Zelda on a baby. I can see it easier on an older person. If I were looking for an exotic Z name, I think I’d pick Zara or Zenia. But for those who like Zelda, it’s not too weird,