WHY LINK

I have been wondering. Why is he called Link. I mean is it just a bad translation of something from Japanese or just a name that was thought up?

Originally it was intended to "Link" the character to the game. This my friend is why Link doesn't talk

He is called Link because he is a link between the player and the game. That is canon.

Originally Posted by Hugh O

He is called Link because he is a link between the player and the game. That is canon.

was just going to say that.
But yah, you're right.

On Wikipedia, it says his Japanese name is Rinku. But yeah, Nintendo of America decided to name him Link in order to "link" the player (i.e. You) to the game.

Originally Posted by Twilightwolf64

On Wikipedia, it says his Japanese name is Rinku. But yeah, Nintendo of America decided to name him Link in order to "link" the player (i.e. You) to the game.

His Japanese name is Rinku because the Japnese don't have an 'L' in their alphabet...or something...and our L is their R to them.

Actually, what they said was correct but also this: Link means left- handed in German. Look at his sword hand. You see it's left, no?

Originally Posted by CourageWielder

Actually, what they said was correct but also this: Link means left- handed in German. Look at his sword hand. You see it's left, no?

Damn this Wii version...

Originally Posted by Skeletonband

His Japanese name is Rinku because the Japnese don't have an 'L' in their alphabet...or something...and our L is their R to them.

No, I think its just that the letters L and R are the same letter. Of couse I don't really know anything about Japanese (I do take Spanish at school though) so I'm probably compleatly wrong.

Anyway, Miyomoto called him that becuase he is a link between the gamer and the game.

Originally Posted by Fadock

Originally it was intended to "Link" the character to the game. This my friend is why Link doesn't talk

Wow. There's still people who believe Link doesn't talk?

Newsflash: he does. The hints are everywhere. How do people find out his name, how do people get explanations from him, how do people get other information from him? Link talks, we don't see his dialogue because he's the character we control, that's that. Saying Link doesn't talk is like saying Mario doesn't. And we all know Mario has a voice.

Anyway, everyone else pretty much answered the question. Link is Link because he's the "link" between us and the game. However, Link is a true name as well. I've seen it used in books.

Not sure why he is called Link but i love the name!(strange but true)

Originally Posted by Yamari

However, Link is a true name as well. I've seen it used in books.

It's funny, besides Zelda's Link, the only other time I've heard it as a name is Link from the "Hair Spray" movies.

Originally Posted by AzaISaZELDALORD

I have been wondering. Why is he called Link. I mean is it just a bad translation of something from Japanese or just a name that was thought up?

I always wondered that also...

I heard someone named Link in a movie once, so I gather it does have context OUTSIDE of the video game franchize..

Originally Posted by Jac06

It's funny, besides Zelda's Link, the only other time I've heard it as a name is Link from the "Hair Spray" movies.

Yeah, I'm surprised I havent heard of the name anywhere else.