I wondered the same flipping thing for the longest time, because is technically not about Zelda! Sure she is in the games and stuff, but it is not about her exactly. There are some games that she doesn't even make an appearance in!

Perhaps it's because Link is the hero and Zelda is the princess that needs rescuing much like many hero stories are told. Link does what he does for the sake of saving others from evil and can be named at the beginning of each game while Zelda's name remains the same throughout the series. The whole series started out as "The Legend of Zelda" so I'm guessing Nintendo decided to keep it that way.

PoorSmeagol83 : In Majora's Mask, Link has a flashback in the beginning of the game (when you knock the Ocarina from the Skull Kid's hand and learn the song of time) with Zelda in it. Granted it's a flashback, but she is there in the game.

The "actual" reason is because the game's creator thought Zelda was a beautiful name. Of course, this would only apply to the first game on NES. In the first few games, the manual talks about Zelda more than anyone else - and it implies that Zelda went through 8 dungeons to hide the Triforce before Link found them later.

I would also like to point out that in very few games is Zelda the ultimate goal. Zelda I, The Minish Cap, Phantom Hourglass, and Skyward Sword have "Saving Zelda" as the main objective. While Link does need to save Zelda to finish some of the other games, it isn't his primary goal - for example, in Ocarina of time, Link does save Zelda close to the end of the game, but his driving goal was to defeat Gannondorf.

In fact, "defeat Gannondorf" is the main objective more times than "save Zelda" is. Even when Gannondorf isn't the main villain, the replacement usually works for him (like in Zelda II or the Oracle games). So, the series should really be called: The Legend of Gannondorf.

All hail the great Gannondorf!

if they changed the name now, at this point in time you'd have all of these hipsters and gamers complaining since the series has had the name for 20+ years now, so they kept it

mlb789 : Zelda isn't gonna save herself! All jokes aside, I think it is called Legend of Zelda because the story (or, Legend) revolves around saving Zelda. Maybe it's named fro Link's Point of View, they wouldn't want to call it: "Legend of Me".

Well, one you can't change the name of Zelda in the games. You can change Link's name. And two, Link is the main character but Zelda always has to do with the legend that is told in the game in one way or another. But those two points aside, I'm sure it still probably could've been called the legend of link. It's just the developer's choice, I guess. But The Legend of Zelda does have a better ring to it, doesn't it? Less Ls.

XxEzraxX : She isn't in Link's Awakening at all. I wonder if this game should even be a Zelda game, or just a Spinoff. I love the game though.

They probably called it legend of link because you save the princess they could have pretty much called it anything for example the legend of tingle but to me legend of Zelda sounds better then the legend of link I would tell you why the creators called link link but then I would be off topic wouldn't i

Mariobros618 : Exactly it is a good game, but I kind of classify it with oracle of seasons and oracle of ages which do not have Zelda in them either lol

XxEzraxX : The Oracle games are the only games in the entire series I haven't played and beaten. (Besides CDI and I am almost finished with Wind Waker.) Maybe they should make a spinoff series called " Forgotten Zelda Stories: Link's Awakening" Random thoughts probably not the best idea though XD.

I have to admit, it would have cleared up a lot of confusion in my pre-adolescent foolishness. I always thought Link was Zelda. XD

I have no time to read all the other posts I just read a few. I ask for forgiveness in advance.
From what I understand it's just the old fashioned tradition of marking periods in history with royalty or wealthy. Like Ming Dynasty. Elizabethian Period. ..Get the idea yet?
Shakespeare was just as popular as his royal counterpart in History, but still we dub the period with Queen Elizabeth's name as opposed to the poets.
Similar Tradition with the game was used.
That's my two cents anyway.
For those with a better answer?... Please pay no mind to my answer.
Sometime's I can't help but type when the "Light bulb" goes on.
Good Luck To All.
I'm done. Stick a fork in me.
Peace.

i do get you, but this story is talking about you going after zelda to save her after all sh has been through in her legend. and i also agree about what you said for the name changing. 

I know it's the latest game and stuff and they probably weren't planning this "explanation" from the start of LoZ, but Skyward Sword explains why it's Legend of Zelda.

I think Legend Of Zelda makes more sense like someone said earlier she's the main character of the game since you're trying to save her after all, Legend Of Link just wouldn't make any sense.

I't doesn't matter though... for anything it could be legend of the triforce... but its not...
First off
The Legend of Zelda sounds much better than the following ;
The Legend of Link,
The Legend of Hyrule,
The Legend of The Triforce..

So I just suspect it sounds better and more appealing.

It's a very confusing question. There are two or three LoZ games that don't have Zelda in then. *cough* Link's Awakening *cough* Anyway, it really should have been Legend of Link. I guess it's because before the Zelda series, Link wasn't even a popular name. Hell. When I first played a Zelda game I thought Link was Zelda! For me I guess it's personal preference. I just love the name Link anyway. In conclusion after running my mouth for no reason what so ever... I don't know!

Perhaps it's because Zelda is a Legend, but Link is just another hero here to save the day, so the creators must have been tired of naming games after protagonist heroes and try a different person's name.