The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD has landed on the Nintendo Switch, and new and returning players alike flocking to Skyloft, the airborne home of the Hylians. Among the denizens of the sky is a fan favorite character named Groose. The large man with equally large hair and ego hopes to garner the affection of Zelda and is a rival to Link. Such a name didn't come about purely of imagination, but was a cleverly created moniker.
With the themes of Skyward Sword inextricably linked to the sky, birds are a recurring motif. Loftwings aren't just mounts for Skyward Sword's characters, but are also a major theme, with inspiration for some names in the game - including Groose.
Groose's name and strong personality helped him become a fan favorite Zelda character. He's mean but oblivious, and goes through an impressively redemptive character arc for a side character that at first appears flatly antagonistic. He deeply resent Link for his closeness to Zelda, but puts his feelings aside to help Link rescue her when they discover the surface world. Plus he singlehandedly builds the Groosenator, an impressive bit of engineering and resourcefulness.
Groose is a sort of amalgamation of the name "Bruce" and the bird "goose." The revelation of the Groose etymology comes from Ben Hanson on Twitter, who once did an interview with Mike Drucker, the writer responsible for creating Groose's name. Drucker claims he was given the criteria for creating Groose: a jock character that still maintains the bird theme of Skyward Sword. Drucker says he went from Bruce, to goose, and finally Groose. Any non-jock Bruces out there who don't agree with the stereotype can file their complaints with Drucker.
Groose is a pretty absurd name (apologies to any Grooses out there), but entirely memorable. The bird motif works incredibly well with the name Groose, but is somehow not completely obvious. It's a believable name for a comical bully that goes through a compelling character arc. Groose just sounds like a Skyward Sword character that would be obsessed with their foot-tall, bright red hair, but in a way, he defies his stereotype.
Geese are notoriously bad tempered, and are a fairly apt comparison for Groose near the beginning of Skyward Sword. When in Skyloft during Skyward Sword's tutorial segments, Groose is unapproachable and one-dimensionally mean, and often travels in a flock with his fellow bullies. Despite the intentions behind his name and his vain mannerisms, Groose turns into a fairly sympathetic character, and a highlight of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD.
Source: Ben Hanson
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