Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Zelda
GirlGermanic· “short form of Griselda”
- Meaning
- short form of Griselda
- Origin
- Germanic
- Pronunciation
- ZEHL-duh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #832
- US babies 2025
- 328
- Best rank
- #376 (1911)
- Peak year
- 2020
Meaning and origin of Zelda
Zelda is a Germanic name that is usually said to mean “short form of Griselda”.
Zelda began as a short form of Griselda, a Germanic name often explained as combining grey with battle. Griselda was the patient heroine of a tale told by Boccaccio and Chaucer. Zelda became an independent name in the nineteenth century. Zelda Fitzgerald, the writer and wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald, gave it a Jazz Age glamour, and the video game series The Legend of Zelda made it familiar to new generations. It is quirky, bold and memorable.
Popularity over time
Zelda has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 92 different years. Its best national rank was #376 in 1911, and the most babies received it in 2020, when 526 were named Zelda. In 2025, 328 babies were named Zelda, and it ranked #832 nationally. That is 26% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #472 in 1920, #889 in 1950, #4,147 in 1980, #4,077 in 2000, #2,641 in 2010, and #832 in 2025. Of the 16,734 US girls named Zelda since records began, 17% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 2,561 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Sloan, Novah, Journi, Nola, and Lyanna.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Zelda ranked highest in Oklahoma, Arizona, and New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | #545 | 8 |
| Arizona | #631 | 11 |
| New York | #678 | 25 |
| California | #715 | 44 |
| Oregon | #728 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Zelda is usually pronounced ZEHL-duh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with Z and ends in “-da”.
Middle names for Zelda
A few middle names that flow with Zelda: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Zelda
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Lists that include Zelda
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Zelda mean?
Zelda is a Germanic name that is usually said to mean “short form of Griselda”.
What is the origin of the name Zelda?
Zelda has Germanic roots. Zelda began as a short form of Griselda, a Germanic name often explained as combining grey with battle.
Is Zelda a popular name?
Yes. Zelda ranked #832 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Zelda a boy or girl name?
Zelda is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Zelda?
Zelda is usually pronounced ZEHL-duh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings