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Zelda vs Rosalind

Which is more popular?
Rosalind is more popular than Zelda today: about 140 US babies were given the name Rosalind in 2025, compared with 0 named Zelda.
ZeldaRosalind
Meaning Battle (grey battle-maid) Disputed: gentle horse / beautiful rose
Origin germanic germanic
Gender Girl Girl
Pronunciation ZEL-duh ROZ-uh-lind
Syllables 2 3
First appeared01888
Peak year2020 (526)1965 (652)
In 20250140
TrendRisingRising
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Zelda Rosalind
18801900192019401960198020002020

Source: US Social Security Administration.

Births by decade

DecadeZeldaRosalind
2020s 2,561 926
2010s 2,889 1,252
2000s 391 404
1990s 144 535
1980s 154 921
1970s 305 2,168
1960s 1,265 5,350
1950s 1,160 5,331
1940s 1,074 4,409
1930s 1,650 1,855
1920s 2,376 2,093
1910s 1,854 1,403
1900s 595 314
1890s 254 158
1880s 62 17

What does Zelda mean?

Commonly a short form of Griselda, from Germanic 'gris' (grey) and 'hild' (battle). A separate Yiddish name Zelda meaning roughly 'blessed/happy' also exists, so the battle sense specifically traces to the Griselda line.

What does Rosalind mean?

Disputed etymology. Originally Germanic, from 'hros' (horse) + 'lind' (soft, tender), i.e. roughly 'gentle horse'. In Romance-speaking areas it was reinterpreted by folk etymology as Latin/Spanish 'rosa linda' meaning 'beautiful rose'. The floral meaning is the popular later reading, not the original.

Frequently asked questions

Is Zelda or Rosalind more popular?

Rosalind is more popular than Zelda today: about 140 US babies were given the name Rosalind in 2025, compared with 0 named Zelda.

What is the difference between Zelda and Rosalind?

Zelda means Battle (grey battle-maid) (germanic origin), while Rosalind means Disputed: gentle horse / beautiful rose (germanic origin).

Which name is older, Zelda or Rosalind?

In US records, Zelda first appears in 0 and Rosalind in 1888, so Zelda has the longer recorded history.