One of the longest and most successful sagas in video game history, The Legend of Zelda spans over 35 years of history. Nintendo has captivated millions of players through dozens of installments, and among the most famous adventurers we meet Robin Williams himself.
The brilliant Hollywood actor gave us important films like Will Hunting, Mrs. Doubtfire or Hook, among many others, and wanted to make his passion for the fantasy franchise evident in the best possible way. The result of his relationship with Marsha Garces Williams led to the birth of his daughter in 1989, whom he named Zelda.
Yes, it is not accidental, because the choice was made completely on purpose. Williams has never had a problem admitting that her daughter’s name comes from The Legend of Zelda, the name of the well-known princess who lends her name to all the games. This anecdote became even more popular with the release of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D in 2011, as Nintendo ran promotional campaigns featuring Zelda and Robin Williams as banners.
It was 1987 when the first title hit North American soil for the NES, and the Williams family was completely engrossed in the journey. “Hours and hours passed and we were fully immersed in an epic adventure. My favorite part was solving the puzzles. I enjoyed exploring each room to find secret passages and hidden objects. “I clearly remember the sound the door made when it opened,” admitted the translator during a conversation with the Japanese company.
It was such a passion for this video game that his first son, Zachary, made a proposal. “It seemed natural. When my wife was pregnant, my son Zachary mentioned that Zelda would be the perfect name for his new baby sister. Zelda… What a wonderful name… it’s magical, just like her!” the actor noted.

Passion for the TV series did not remain with the parents, but was passed on to the next generation. “I’ve finished almost every Zelda game… my best memory The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time It was definitely a bow and arrow game. I was an archer at the time and still love shooting a bow, so it was a lot of fun to use it in a fantasy world. That and Epona… I was also riding horses at the time, and I liked the idea of calling a horse with a musical instrument,” revealed Zelda Williams herself.
Of course, Zelda and Robin had to clarify the origin of the name more than once, as many believe that it is a reference to the wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald, one of the great writers of the 20th century, whose wife was also named Zelda. “A lot of people tell me it’s the coolest name ever.“I like being called princess,” Zelda said.
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