Zelda Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Zelda is predominantly used for girls. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Zelda?
Zelda is spelled Z-E-L-D-A. The name has 5 letters.
Zelda at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for girls
- Meaning
- Zelda is commonly considered to derive from the Germanic name Griselda, meaning “gray battle maid” or “dark battle maid.”
- Origin
- Zelda is often associated with Germanic origins and is related to the name Griselda, though its usage has diversified over time.
- Pronunciation
- ZEL-duh · 2 syllables
Zelda Popularity in 2025
Rank#832
Recorded Births328
- Girls usage fell 85 places to #832 and recorded 49 fewer births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Zelda Mean?
Zelda is commonly considered to derive from the Germanic name Griselda, meaning “gray battle maid” or “dark battle maid.”
Origin: Zelda is often associated with Germanic origins and is related to the name Griselda, though its usage has diversified over time.
How Do You Pronounce Zelda?
PronunciationZEL-duh
Syllables2
What Is the History of the Name Zelda?
- History
- Zelda has appeared as a given name in various cultural contexts since medieval times, with a notable literary presence in modern media enhancing its recognition.
Zelda Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2002 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | 328 | #832 |
| 2024 | Girls | 377 | #747 |
| 2023 | Girls | 403 | #704 |
| 2022 | Girls | 435 | #670 |
| 2021 | Girls | 492 | #608 |
| 2020 | Girls | 526 | #558 |
| 2019 | Girls | 436 | #664 |
| 2018 | Girls | 442 | #667 |
| 2017 | Girls | 456 | #648 |
| 2016 | Girls | 426 | #687 |
| 2015 | Girls | 443 | #648 |
| 2014 | Girls | 214 | #1,156 |
| 2013 | Girls | 183 | #1,286 |
| 2012 | Girls | 139 | #1,566 |
| 2011 | Girls | 81 | #2,298 |
| 2010 | Girls | 69 | #2,614 |
| 2009 | Girls | 59 | #2,940 |
| 2008 | Girls | 54 | #3,120 |
| 2007 | Girls | 53 | #3,214 |
| 2006 | Girls | 49 | #3,316 |
| 2005 | Girls | 40 | #3,646 |
| 2004 | Girls | 30 | #4,492 |
| 2003 | Girls | 29 | #4,418 |
| 2002 | Girls | 24 | #4,906 |
When Was Zelda Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
2020 · Girls
526 recorded births
National rank #558
2021 · Girls
492 recorded births
National rank #608
2017 · Girls
456 recorded births
National rank #648
2015 · Girls
443 recorded births
National rank #648
Where Zelda Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Girls
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| OK | #483 | 8 |
| AZ | #578 | 11 |
| OR | #619 | 5 |
| MD | #651 | 7 |
| NY | #658 | 25 |
| WA | #679 | 9 |
| CA | #700 | 44 |
| CO | #703 | 7 |