The Sheikah scientist Lueburry in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom continues an interesting tradition found in recent games. Met early in the course of the game, Lueburry is one of Echoes of Wisdom’s more important NPCs, being responsible for the various upgrades to Zelda’s Swordfighter Form. Moreover, despite being a newcomer to Zelda canon, Lueburry also follows a fun trend that strongly ties him to many other Sheikah characters.
Although Echoes of Wisdom’s Hyrule places much less emphasis on technology, Lueburry himself continues something of a family specialty with his own research into Rifts. As a scientific-minded older sibling to Impa, he shares a striking similarity to Purah from Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. However, among the many small details included in Echoes of Wisdom is one that ties Lueburry even closer to both his family across the eras and many other members of The Legend of Zelda’s Sheikah tribe as well.
Lueburry Continues A Fun Sheikah Naming Convention
Most Sheikah Names Reference Fruit In Some Way
Although it may just seem like an unusual fantasy name at first glance, "Lueburry" is actually derived from the word "blueberry." This is itself notable because it follows a relatively new Legend of Zelda tradition that stretches across the various titles created for the Nintendo Switch, in which Sheikah names are actually derived from various 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 something of an affinity for farming and the natural world. This would match the recent depictions of Kakariko Village, which are full of farm plots and similar design elements, like prominent Cucco pens. It is also an interesting addition to their depicted culture in the games, and a much softer detail than other worldbuilding elements surrounding the secretive, ninja-like people, one which helps to give them a communal identity.
Nearly Every Sheikah Is Named After Fruit
The Trend Began In Breath Of The Wild
Breath of the Wild and its subsequent titles have collectively introduced many new Sheikah characters, to the point that guessing their names’ respective inspirations can be a game in itself. For example, Dorian is clearly named after the Durian fruit, with a single letter being changed. But on the other hand, it can take a little longer to recognize that his daughters, Koko and Cottla, are named after the coconut and apricot respectively, and even longer to see that Robbie can be derived from strawberry (something more obvious with his Japanese name, pronounced "Roberi").
Most NPCs found throughout Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom don't seem too quick on the uptake, but it might ultimately be for the betterment of the game.
It is also worth noting that Robbie’s name isn’t the only example of wordplay more understandable in the original Japanese. Traveling artist Pikango’s name is based on a Japanese word meaning citrus, kankitsuru, a complex pun for one of BOTW and TOTK’s more interesting minor NPCs. His 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 sounds remarkably like Picasso.
Many of the ancient Sheikah Monks in
BOTW
are themselves named after members of the game’s development team via anagrams. Their two-part names imply that Sheikah culture has changed in small but significant ways over time, beyond the direct impact of losing access to their technology.
Of course, every rule comes with its exceptions, and the Sheikah’s fruit theme is no different. Tears of the Kingdom ’s Josha seems to break the established convention, although not without cause. Because Josha is an assistant of Purah’s, it seems likely that her name is instead rooted in the Japanese Joshu, literally meaning "assistant." Despite being an offshoot of the Sheikah, the Yiga also break from this tradition, although this can be easily justified given the two group’s enmity.
Impa's Name Breaks Family Tradition
The Iconic Sheikah’s Name Makes No Fruit Reference
Like Josha, Impa’s name also ignores the fruit theme, although in her case it is simply because the character of Impa predates Breath of the Wild by a considerable margin. Impa appeared in the original The Legend of Zelda, named only in its manual, and then again as a properly named character in its sequel, The Adventure of Link. According to the book Hyrule Historia, Impa’s name actually comes from the word "impart," fitting for her role of providing vital exposition to Link in these games.
Despite Impa having many incarnations, she has only recently begun to gain family members: namely, Purah, Paya, and now Lueburry. As all three were introduced in Switch games, it should come as little surprise that Impa is the only member of her family not to follow the fruit rule. In addition to Lueburry’s blueberry inspiration, Paya is canonically named after the Papaya due to a birthmark. Meanwhile, "Purah" is derived from her Japanese name of "Purua," which is itself an anagram of apuru; apple.
The Sheikah tribe’s naming convention is a fun example of the worldbuilding pioneered in Breath of the Wild, and adds an interesting flair to their cultural identity. While exceptions to the rule do exist, such as Impa, these are never without reason, and arguably only make the general pattern all the more striking. Moreover, 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.
Strange rifts are tearing Hyrule apart, and with Link missing, it’s up to Princess Zelda to save the kingdom. Armed with the Tri Rod and aided by a mysterious fairy, she must solve puzzles, create environmental “echoes,” and battle enemies while navigating new regions and uncovering hidden secrets.
Custom Image by Katarina Cimbaljevic
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