Zelda Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Zelda has roots in Yiddish and Germanic languages, meaning 'blessed' or 'happy.' It has evolved from historical forms like Zelde and Selig to its modern form. The name is often associated with traits of strength and adventure due to its presence in popular culture. Zelda has no biblical relevance.
The name Zelda is most popular in New York, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Alpha generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Zelda has been falling for female in MidWest, falling for female in Northeast, falling for female in South, falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Zelda' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 6773rd out of 6773 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 426th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 565th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 898th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1830th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 5557th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 3352nd out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 713th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Zelda' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Zelda"
Pronunciation
/ˈzɛldə/
Origin
Yiddish and Germanic
Etymology
The name Zelda is derived from the Yiddish name 'Zelde,' which means 'blessed' or 'happy.' It is also related to the German word 'Selig,' meaning 'blessed' or 'happy.'
Meaning
blessed, happy
Language Evolution
Zelde, Selig, Zelda
Historical Usage
Zelda gained popularity in the early 20th century, particularly among Jewish communities. It became more widely recognized in popular culture with the release of the video game series 'The Legend of Zelda' starting in 1986.
Variants & Derivatives
Zelde, Zel, Zelma
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Zelda is often associated with strength, adventure, and creativity, largely due to its connections with the video game franchise. It has a vintage charm that appeals to modern parents.
Famous People
Zelda Fitzgerald, an American socialite and writer, known for her tumultuous marriage to author F. Scott Fitzgerald., Zelda Williams, an American actress and daughter of the late comedian Robin Williams.
Explore More Zelda Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Zelda"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Zelda"
"Zelda" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 6773rd of 6773 | 5 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 426th of 9107 | 4,337 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 565th of 9204 | 2,749 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 898th of 12526 | 2,363 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1830th of 19264 | 804 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 5557th of 27321 | 238 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 3352nd of 35406 | 721 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 713th of 30306 | 4,832 |
Regional Popularity of "Zelda" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Zelda" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
28.95% 410th/1416 |
23.06% 318th/1379 |
22.91% 542nd/2366 |
39.05% 446th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
39.20% 606th/1546 |
27.06% 421st/1556 |
25.63% 603rd/2353 |
49.32% 763rd/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
53.61% 1194th/2227 |
36.30% 882nd/2430 |
25.45% 726th/2853 |
45.48% 1262nd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
46.43% 1617th/3483 |
35.25% 1240th/3518 |
74.26% 3003rd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- |
52.94% 2369th/4475 |
- | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
85.27% 3907th/4582 |
39.85% 2058th/5164 |
59.18% 4328th/7313 |
42.50% 3172nd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
16.74% 667th/3984 |
17.23% 773rd/4487 |
11.68% 797th/6822 |
10.31% 647th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Zelda"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Zelda" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.