Zelda
How to say it: ZEL-duh · /ˈzɛldə/
Short form of Griselda (Germanic 'grey battle') or from Yiddish 'selde' meaning 'happiness, luck'.
Zelda was the 768th most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 328 babies (Social Security Administration). The 2020s are its busiest decade so far, its births are down about 26% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #860 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #768 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 328 |
| Share of births | 1 in 10,107 |
| Peak decade | 2020s |
| Change over 10 years | −26% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #860 |
| In France, 2025 | #1,126 among girls’ names, 20 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Climbing steadily, Zelda found its best years in the 2020s. The crest is here now, though a small fall is forecast for the next few years.
What goes with it
Bright and crisp with a creative flicker across two syllables. Cleo makes a lively companion.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Zelda is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Dutch, English, French, German.
In France: #1,126 for girls in 2025.
Famous people named Zelda
- Zelda Williams (born 1989)American actress
- Zelda Fitzgerald (1900–1948)American writer
- Zelda Rubinstein (1933–2010)American actress
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
Good to know
- Princess of Nintendo's Legend of Zelda games
Keep exploring
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