I always thought the protagonist was an elf, and just another guy.
Didn’t know it was “Zelda” and thus, I guess, a female. Thought Zelda referred to something else, maybe the location, or the prize, or whatever.
Their official name in the game series is “Hylians”, but you’re right, they’re basically Elves.
The protagonist is Link, who is a male of the elf-like Hylian race.
Zelda is a different character, and is female.