Link
Introduction
All creatures big and small owe their lives to these legendary adventurers. Link's list of accomplishments sprawls longer than we could even begin to list here, but he is most well known for his vital role in keeping Ganon, The King of Evil, safely locked away in the Dark World.
Some of Link's most famous accomplishments include rescuing Princess Zelda on multiple occasions, saving the citizens of Termina from certain demise, as well as freeing the island of Koholint from savage monster attacks. Humble to the last, Link is known not merely as a hero, but as a symbol of courage, strength and wisdom as well. Tales of his bravery will never cease, and his legend will never ever die.
On a side note, Link most likely got his name from the Dutch/German word "links," meaning "left". If you have noticed, Link is left-handed. Another possibility is that he got his name to resemble the "link" between the player and the character.
Links through History
It is common knowledge that throughout the history of Hyrule there have been not only one, but several heroes called Link. Link I,is the hero seen in Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask, called the Hero of Time. He was raised in Kokiri Forest, but was not actually a kokiri. His mother suffering wounds from a Civil War found her way to the peaceful forest. Shortly after Link's birth his mother passed away. It was on his tenth birthday that the fairy, Navi, joined him and began thier quest to save Hyrule. By collecting three spirtual stones, Link I proved himself worthy to weild the Master Sword.
This gave Ganondorf, the gerudo king, the chance to claim the Triforce. Though because his heart was full of greed, he was only able to obtain one peice. The one that suited him the most- Power. Seven long years, Link I slept in the Chamber of Light. Then using the power of the Seven Sages, later known as the Seven Wise Men, Link I sealed Ganondorf in the Golden Realm. The only place that could contain his power. After this battle, which came to be known as The Imprisoning War, Princess Zelda used her power as a sage to return Link I to his original time. A ten year old once more Link returned the Master Sword to it's pedestal, and departed way with his fairy.
Three months later Link I feeling restless again finds his way to Princess Zelda telling his closest friend of his plans to leave Hyrule. As a reminder of thier time in Hyrule together she gives him the Ocarina of Time. Soon after Link I departs with Epona looking for his companion, Navi. Finding his way into the alternate dimension of Termania, he takes on the task of saving the people of the town from thier impending doom. Once again using the Ocarina of Time to travel within a span of three days.
There is also a new Link (considered the second now that Nintendo announced it's place in the timeline, go to the article to see what i'm talking about) in the not yet released Twilight Princess.
Link III, as seen in The Wind Waker, is a completely different person. Link III is an island boy from Oustet who spent his life daydreaming. Link III bares no connections with the Hero of Time, despite an abundance of Courage, as stated by the King of Red Lions when he was talking to Jabun. Link III earned the title of Hero of Winds because of his ability to manipulate the wind by using The Wind Waker and the fact he reformed the triforce of courage. (See also: Hero of Winds)
Link IV is a direct bloodlink to the Hero of Time, as seen in A Link to the Past and Link's Awakening Link IV is telepathically contacted by Zelda, who is imprisoned in the castle. Finding three pendants much like the Hero of time, he finds his way to the lost woods, where the Master Sword waits. Using the master sword, he travels from Hyrule to the Golden Realm, which had become a twisted evil place in Ganon's touch. Awakening the seven descendants of the Sages(Seven Wise Men), he uses thier power to destroy Ganon.
Link V is in The Legend of Zelda and The Adventure of Link
There is yet another in the Oracle duo: Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons. A completely different set of characters named Link are the three heroes who have wielded the Four Sword in the three games of the Four Swords series, Four Swords, Four Swords Adventures and The Minish Cap.
Link of the Gorons
The son of Darunia, Link of the Gorons was born sometime during Link, the Hero of Time's seven year long sleep, and named after the hero who saved the Gorons by chasing off the Dodongos, who had taken possession of Dodongo's Cavern, the place that the Gorons used as their chief source of nourishment.