Scientist Sheikah Lueburry in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom continues an interesting tradition found in recent games. Known at the beginning of the game, Lueburry is one of the Echoes of WisdomZelda’s most important NPCs, being responsible for the various upgrades to Zelda’s swordsman form. Furthermore, despite being a newcomer to the Zelda canon, Lueburry also follows a fun trend that ties him heavily to many other Sheikah characters.
Although Echoes of WisdomWhile Hyrule places much less emphasis on technology, Lueburry himself continues something of a family specialty with his own research into Rifts. As Impa’s scientifically minded older brother, he shares a striking resemblance to Purah of Breath of Nature and Tears of the Kingdom. However, among the many small details included in the Echoes of Wisdom is one that unites Lueburry even more with his family throughout the ages and with many other members of The Legend of Zeldafrom the Sheikah tribe as well.
Lueburry Continues a Fun Sheikah Naming Convention
Most Sheikah names reference fruit in some way
Although it may seem like an unusual fantasy name at first glance, “Lueburry” is actually derived from the word “blueberry”. This is notable because it follows a relatively new line Legend of Zelda tradition that extends across the various titles created for the Nintendo Switch, in which Sheikah names are actually derived from several fruits. In some cases, the inspiration for these names can be difficult to deduce, but Lueburry’s name is particularly close to its inspiration in both spelling and pronunciation, making it an easily recognizable example.
This naming convention suggests that the Sheikah have a certain affinity with agriculture and the natural world. This would fit in with recent depictions of Kakariko Village, which are filled with farmland and similar design elements, such as the prominent Cucco corrals. It’s also an interesting addition to the culture portrayed in the games, and a much softer detail than other world-building elements surrounding the secretive, ninja-like people, which helps give them a communal identity.
Almost every Sheikah is named after a fruit
The trend started in Breath Of The Wild
Breath of Nature and its subsequent titles have collectively introduced many new Sheikah characters, to the point that guessing the respective inspirations for their names can be a game in itself. For example, Dorian is clearly named after the Durian fruitwith a single letter being changed. But on the other hand, it may take a little longer to recognize that their daughters, Koko and Cottla, are named after the coconut and apricot respectively, and even more so to see that Robbie may be derived from strawberry (something more obvious with his Japanese name, pronounced “Roberi”).
It’s also worth noting that Robbie’s name isn’t the only example of more understandable wordplay in the original Japanese. Traveling artist Pikango’s name is based on a Japanese word meaning citrus, Kankitsurua complex pun for one of the BOTH and TOTKThe most interesting minor NPCs. Its Japanese name, Kangisu, makes this wordplay more obvious, while the English localization seems to have allowed for the simultaneous introduction of more artistic references; after all, Pikango looks a lot like Picasso.
Of course, every rule comes with its exceptions, and Sheikah’s fruit theme is no different. Tears of the KingdomJosha appears to break established conventionalthough not without reason. As Josha is Purah’s assistant, it seems likely that her name is rooted in Japanese Joshuawhich literally means “assistant”. Despite being an offshoot of the Sheikah, the Yiga also break with this tradition, although this can easily be justified given the enmity of the two groups.
Impa’s name breaks family tradition
The name of the iconic Sheikah does not reference fruit
Like Josha, Impa’s name also ignores the fruit theme, although in her case it is simply because Impa’s character predates Breath of Nature by a considerable margin. Impa appeared in the original THE Legend of Zeldanamed only in his manual, and again as an appropriately named character in his sequel, Link’s adventure. According to the book History of Hyrule, Impa’s name actually comes from the word “transmit”, suited to his role in providing vital exposition for Link in these games.
Although Impa has many incarnations, it has only recently started to gain family members: namely, Purah, Paya and now Lueburry. Since all three were introduced in the Switch games, it’s no surprise that Impa is the only member of her family who doesn’t follow the fruit rule. In addition to inspiration from Lueburry’s blueberry, Paya was canonically named after a papaya due to a birthmark. Meanwhile, “Purah” is derived from its Japanese name “Purua”, which is itself an anagram of apuru; litter.
The Sheikah tribe’s naming convention is a fun example of pioneering worldbuilding in Breath of Natureand adds an interesting touch to your cultural identity. While there are exceptions to the rule, such as Impa, these are never without reason and arguably only make the overall pattern even more impressive. Furthermore, the fact that The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom continues the trend with Lueburry indicates that this fully established tradition will likely be present in future titles as well.