"chain link, connection"
Origin: Old English/Norse
Language: English
Link
Pronunciation: [ l-IHNGK ]
Does Link flow with your last name?
Simple, strong, and forever heroic — the legend lives on
American
English
Gaming culture
Modern
Bold
Playful
Unique
Strong
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Link
Same sound, same style — different options
Meaning & Origin
"hero (cultural/gaming)"
Origin: Nintendo Legend of Zelda
Language: English
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
We found 1 potential concern.
See full analysis in your reportSimilar to Link
See all →What the Link report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Link the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Link
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Link head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
Things to Know About This Name
- Overwhelmingly associated with Link, the protagonist of Nintendo's Legend of Zelda video game series; some may find this association limiting
The Story of Link
Link as a given name derives from the Old English and Old Norse 'hlencr' meaning a loop, ring, or chain, referring to a chain link. It also has roots in 'Lincoln,' the English city name meaning 'lake colony.' As a standalone given name, Link is primarily known to modern audiences through Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda video game series, where Link has been the heroic protagonist since 1986 — one of the most iconic characters in gaming history. The name carries a sense of connection and strength.
Link as a given name has been rising steadily as parents who grew up playing The Legend of Zelda in the 1980s and 90s are now having children. The franchise has remained one of Nintendo's flagship properties, keeping the name constantly in cultural consciousness. It also functions as a natural nickname for Lincoln, which has been a top-50 name in the US since 2010.
In video game culture, Link is one of the most iconic characters ever created — a silent, courageous hero who has saved the land of Hyrule across dozens of games and 35+ years. Unlike many game characters, Link is explicitly designed to represent 'the player' (hence 'the link between the player and the game world'). The Zelda franchise is revered as one of the greatest in gaming history.
Historical Record
Link first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 2,407 babies have been named Link in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Link is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #1,419 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Nintendo's Link is named not for the word 'link' but because he was intended to be 'the link between the player and the game world'
- Link has appeared in over 20 Legend of Zelda games since 1986, making him one of the most recognized video game characters globally
- The name Lincoln (from which Link derives as a nickname) means 'lake colony' and was the name of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th US President
Link in Other Languages
French
Link
German
Link
Chinese
林克
Spanish
Link
Japanese
リンク
Popularity Over Time
#1,419
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Link
L
Link Wray
Musician
1929
American musician whose 1958 instrumental 'Rumble' is widely credited as the first use of power chords in rock music
L
Link (Legend of Zelda) Fictional
Other
Heroic protagonist of Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda franchise since 1986 — one of the most iconic video game characters...
Heroic protagonist of Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda franchise since 1986 — one of the most iconic video game characters in history
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #1,419
- Total SSA Count
- 130
- Cultural Origins
- American English Gaming culture
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Link
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Link fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Link →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Link with...
Same Origin Names (American)
See all American names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Link
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Link and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Link sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Zyan
Boy
Hebrew via American origin
"Zion variant, promised land"
#1,246 in US
Darien
Boy
Old Persian origin
"wealthy, kingly, upholder of good"
#1,254 in US
Percy
Boy
Norman French origin
"from Percy (Norman place name)"
#1,256 in US
Kaladin
Boy
Literary invention by Brandon Sanderson origin
"hero, protector (fictional)"
#1,413 in US
Graysen
Boy
Old English origin
"son of the gray-haired one"
#1,284 in US
Taylen
Boy
Old French via English origin
"tailor, cutter of cloth"
#1,518 in US
Pierson
Boy
Middle English origin
"variant of Pearson: son of Piers"
#1,460 in US
Coy
Boy
Latin via French origin
"modest, shy"
#1,507 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Link's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Link
What does the name Link mean?
"chain link, connection" (from Old English/Norse). "hero (cultural/gaming)" (from Nintendo Legend of Zelda). Link as a given name derives from the Old English and Old Norse 'hlencr' meaning a loop, ring, or chain, referring to a chain link. It also has roots in 'Lincoln,' the English city name meaning 'lake colony.' As a standalone given name, Link is primarily known to modern audiences through Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda video game series, where Link has been the heroic protagonist since 1986 — one of the most iconic characters in gaming history. The name carries a sense of connection and strength.
What is the origin of the name Link?
Link has Old English/Norse, Nintendo Legend of Zelda, American, English, and Gaming culture origins. In Old English/Norse, it means "chain link, connection". In Nintendo Legend of Zelda, it means "hero (cultural/gaming)".
Is Link a boy or girl name?
Link is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Link?
Link is pronounced l-IHNGK.
How popular is the name Link?
Link is currently ranked #1419 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Link?
Popular middle name pairings include Link James, Link Alexander, Link Michael, Link Cole, Link Everett, Link Theodore, and Link Harrison.
What are good sibling names for Link?
Names that pair well with Link as siblings include Zelda, Zora, Ganon, Navi, Finn, Nash, and Knox.
How many syllables does Link have?
Link has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Link a common or rare name?
Link is an uncommon name, ranked #1419 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Link?
About the Name Link
Link is a boy name with American, English, and Gaming culture origins . The name means "chain link, connection" in Old English/Norse .
Link is currently ranked #1,419 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Link has 1 syllable and is pronounced l-IHNGK, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Link include Lincoln, Linus, Linden, Linkin, Lino . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Old English/Norse Names
Browse all names with this origin
L
Names Starting with L
More boy names like Link
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis