Zelda inspired names

What's Cia short for? Cynthia or most any other C-name. Stylish in its sleek Mia-Nia minimalist feel, but may remind some of the Central Intelligence Agency.

Thanks to its dashing Anglo-Irish image — due partly to Colins Firth and Farrell — and its C-initialed two-syllable sound, Colin and its cousin Collin have enjoyed a long run of popularity, reaching as high as Number 84 in 2004.

In Celtic mythology (later borrowed into the Roman empire), Epona is the goddess of horses and fertility. Link's horse in The Legend of Zelda is fittingly named Epona.

Faron, a soft and gentle name, has a diverse group of references. There was the medieval Saint Faron, Bishop of Meaux (who has given his name to a cheese); Faron Young, a colorful midcentury country singer known as The Hillbilly Heartthrob, and a character from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.

Ganon is a name of uncertain origin, though it may be related to the Irish surname Gannon, derived from the Gaelic 'O Ganain' meaning 'descendant of Ganan.' The name gained prominence in popular culture through the character Ganon (or Ganondorf), the primary antagonist in Nintendo's 'The Legend of Zelda' video game series. This association has given the name a connotation of power and mystique. While uncommon as a given name, Ganon has seen modest usage among parents who appreciate its strong sound and gaming connection. The name has a distinctive quality with its short, two-syllable structure and strong consonant sounds.

Short for Brunhilda, the operatic Valkyrie of Teutonic legend, Hilda still has not quite shaken off that image that image. Though with the resurgence of Matilda, she might just have a bit of a comeback.

Kass is a masculine name that likely originated as a short form of names like Kassian, Cassius, or even Kaspar. The name has Greek roots through Cassius, which may relate to "kassis" meaning "hollow." As a standalone name, Kass is quite uncommon for males, though it appears occasionally as a nickname or abbreviated form. The name's brevity gives it a sharp, modern quality with its single syllable and strong consonant ending. For female bearers, Kass can also function as a variant of Cass (short for Cassandra). The masculine use offers a distinctive alternative to more common short names like Cass or Kade, appealing to parents seeking something concise yet uncommon.

Popularized in the 1940s by Lana (born Judy) Turner, today Lana is synonymous with American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey. Although it has been rising steadily since the early 2000s, Lana still sits in the popularity "sweet spot" – familiar, but not overused. Simple, sleek and seamlessly international, it makes a great choice.

Perhaps best associated today with the character from The Legend of Zelda game franchise, Link also has ties to the retro crime drama, The Mod Squad, to the presidential surname Lincoln, and of course, to links on the internet. Part fantastical, part retro cool, part futuristic, Link was chosen for 200 boys in 2022, and 144 in 2023.

Majora's Mask was the title of a lauded Nintendo 64 game in the Legend of Zelda series, in which Majora was the main villain. The character's name was reportedly coined by the game's art director, Takaya Imamura, using Japanese characters from his own name and the title of the movie Jumanji.

Maple is one of those sweet-spot word names that sounds so almost name-like that it doesn't feel outlandish or strange, despite its relative newness as a given name. Just as Juniper is adjacent to June or Pippa, Clover like Chloe or Clara and Ember like Emma or Ebba, Maple is enough like Mabel, Maisie and Mae that it blends in well and has a touch of borrowed vintage charm.

Marin is a lovely county north of San Francisco, and a lovely baby name on the rise, one which sounds more refreshing than the more familiar Marina.