Zelda

Zelda is a female first name that is regarded as a short form of the names Grizelda and Griselda. These names originate from Italian and refer to a tragic figure from legend.

What does the name Zelda mean?

The name Zelda is often interpreted as a short form of Grizelda or Griselda, both of which originate from Italian and refer to a legendary, tragic figure. In its meaning, it can be understood as 'the gray warrior' or 'the gray-haired warrior.' The derivation of Zelda traces back to the Old French word 'gris' for 'gray' and the Old High German element 'hiltja' for 'the fight' or 'the warrior.' The name gained recognition through the character Griseldis from Italian literature, whose fate has been addressed in many European works. Variants include Grizella, Griselde, Grisella, Grisel, and Gryzelda, while the male form is known as Griseld. Additionally, the name Zelda has gained popularity through the eponymous video game, in which a princess bears this name and experiences numerous adventures.

Where does the name Zelda come from?

The origin of the name Zelda is both Old Germanic and Old French and means 'the gray warrior.' The name consists of the Old French and Old High German components: 'gris' stands for 'gray' (Old French) and 'hiltja' for 'the fight' or 'the warrior' (Old High German).

How do you pronounce Zelda?

The pronunciation of the name Zelda is two syllables and produces a distinctive sound. In German, it is usually pronounced as 'Zel-da' [ˈzɛlda]. The name begins with a clear, bright vowel, which conveys a certain directness. The consonant combination '-ld-' in the middle gives it stability, while the ending '-da' sounds open and soft. This makes Zelda appear powerful yet playful – present, independent, and with character.

When is the name day of Zelda?

The name day for Zelda is November 30.

Popularity

In Germany, the name Zelda enjoys great popularity. Currently, it ranks 989th in the list of the most common female first names. Its best placement was in 2016, reaching 923rd place. In the last ten years, the name has been given about 360 times, which places it at 1,074th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it is ranked 1,214th.

Nicknames & pet names

Elda / Zel / Zela / Zeldalein / Zeldchen / Zeldi / ZeldiBeldi / Zell / Zellchen / Zelli / Zilli

Famous people

• Cri-Zelda Brits (cricketer from South Africa)
• Zelda (main character of the video game 'The Legend of Zelda')
• Zelda Fitzgerald (author)
• Zelda Goldman (sister of Rachel Creed, fictional character from Stephen King's 'Pet Sematary')
• Zelda Lockhart (writer from the USA)
• Zelda Rubinstein (American actress)
• Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald (American author)
• Zelda Schneersohn Mishkovsky (poet from Israel)
• Zelda Sears (actress from America)
• Zelda Spellman (fictional character from the TV series 'Sabrina the Teenage Witch')
• Zelda Tinska (Serbian actress)
• Zelda Williams (actress)
• Zelda Wynn Valdes (American designer)