What are the Names of the Disney Princesses?
The beloved Disney Princesses are among the most popular characters in the world, as they are adventurous, clever and resourceful - and they have amazing costumes. It's no wonder they have become idols for many children around the world!
So far, there are 11 Disney Princess, all of them starring in some of the most popular animated films of all times. But do you know them all? Can you tell what are their best traits and why they are so inspiring? And most importantly, do you know which ones are literally princesses and which ones aren't? In this oneHOWTO article, we'll explain what are the names of the Disney Princesses and much more.
- Snow White
- Cinderella
- Belle
- Ariel
- Jasmine
- Pocahontas
- Mulan
- Aurora
- Rapunzel
- Tiana
- Merida
- Other Disney princesses
Snow White
Snow White is the first of the Disney Princesses. She starred in the first animated Disney Studios feature-length film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which was released in 1937. One of the most popular versions of her story is that by the Brothers Grimm.
Snow White is a generous, friendly and very kind princess - and she is literally a princess, because she is the daughter of a king and a queen. Nevertheless, she is pursued by a villain - the Evil Queen, who is also a witch - who tries to end her life. Snow White is known for her noble and gentle temperament, as she easily makes friends with the animals in the forests and most importantly, the Seven Dwarfs.
In the series Ever After High, Snow White's daughter goes to school. Discover her adventures in our article on what are the names of the Ever After High characters!
Cinderella
Cinderella is the second Disney Princess; this wonderful character has formed part of pop culture since the film Cinderella premiered in 1950. However, that version was mostly based on that by Charles Perrault and the Brothers Grimm.
After losing her slipper during the royal ball, Cinderella caused the Prince to search for her throughout the whole kingdom. Although Cinderella was not born a princess - she came from a merchant family and worked as a scullery maid for her stepmother and stepsisters - this beautiful and noble girl became one officially upon marrying the prince of the kingdom.
Cinderella is gentle and persistent, and she has a very special relationship with all living beings - especially mice! Here you can learn how to draw Cinderella.
Belle
Belle is another Disney Princess. Her film, Beauty and the Beast, was released in 1991 based on the story by Jeanne-Marie Le Prince de Beaumont.
Belle is beloved for her cleverness and noble heart, and for being capable of seeing beauty in the soul of others, regardless of their appearance. It is not surprising that in the movie Beauty and the Beast, she manages to fall in love with a man despite his frightening exterior. Belle is an unconventional princess, brave and independent.
Like Cinderella, Belle does not come from a royal family but becomes a princess after marrying the Beast - who was in fact a beautiful man under a witch's spell.
Ariel
Among all of the Disney Princesses, Ariel is certainly one of the most cheerful, independent and spirited. This beautiful mermaid is not afraid to rebel against her protective father, King Triton, in order to get what she wants: visiting the human world and eventually, marrying Prince Eric.
The Little Mermaid hit theaters in 1989 and introduced us to Ariel. The film is based on a story by Hans Christian Andersen, although it has a much happier ending. Here you can learn how to make an easy DIY mermaid costume if you want to dress up as Ariel.
Jasmine
Jasmine is the Disney Princess who stars in the film Aladdin, released in 1992 based on a story from the One Thousand and One Nights. She is the Princess of Agrabah, and she is an adventurous, brave girl who is not willing to marry just anyone.
With her strong character, she makes the entire kingdom tremble before choosing the man who will eventually win her heart - Aladdin, of course.
Pocahontas
Pocahontas is one of the bravest and fiercest Disney Princesses around. She is based on a real Powhatan girl who lived in what is now Virginia, in the land of Tsenacommacah, at the beginning of the 17th Century. Her real name was Matoaka, but she was known as Pocahontas, which means "Little Mischief".
Although the 1995 Disney story is much different and very romanticized, the name is still fitting for their version of Pocahontas, who is strong and very intelligent - two characteristics that she will need to overcome all of the problems that she faces. Since she is the daughter of a chief, she can be considered a princess, although the title isn't exactly the same.
Mulan
Mulan is the Disney Princess who cares more about her own freedom than anything else. Being the perfect daughter is not her priority, in the sense that she does not care about becoming an elegant wife. Instead, she decides to honor her family and save her father by dressing up as a soldier and joining the army to defend China from the Huns.
Mulan is a bit clumsy at first, but she is brave and determined, and eventually she saves her entire country and shows how she can lead her own life. She is not actually a princess, as her family isn't royal and she eventually marries a captain, not a prince. The film Mulan premiered in 1998, and it was based on the legend of Hua Mulan.
Aurora
The gorgeous Sleeping Beauty as inspired by Perrault and the Brothers Grimm is none other than Aurora, one of the classic Disney Princesses. Although she believes she is a humble peasant, this dreamy and plucky girl is of royal blood, and the princess of her realm: with her courteous and friendly nature she will manage to conquer the hearts of all.
Sleeping Beauty was released in 1959, making Aurora the third Disney Princess, just after Cinderella.
Rapunzel
Rapunzel is an energetic and adventurous princess, always ready to have fun and to discover what lies beyond the tower of her palace. This desire to discover the world will lead her to experience all kinds of adventures and encounters - including the truth about herself.
Rapunzel is the star of the Disney movie Tangled. The film was released in 2010, making her one of the youngest Disney Princesses and the first one to be made in CGI. It is based on a tale by the Brothers Grimm.
Tiana
Tiana is the star of The Princess and the Frog, a 2009 movie based on a tale by the Brothers Grimm and a novel by E. D. Baker. This Disney Princess is a hard-working dreamer who will do all that she can to achieve her wish: to open a restaurant in New Orleans.
Her adventures include being turned into a frog and meeting all sorts of magical beings. Although she isn't royal by birth, she eventually marries a quite unconventional prince.
Merida
Of all the Disney Princesses, Merida is the most courageous, passionate and feisty. Unlike the other princesses in this list, her story is original and isn't based on any known fairy tales or legends. Merida is the protagonist of Brave (2012), making this dynamic redhead the newest Disney Princess.
Merida is an excellent rider and archer, and she will take on everyone to become the master of her own destiny - including her own family, with whom she must reconnect during the film. Merida is the daughter of King Fergus and Queen Elinor, and therefore literally a princess.
Other Disney princesses
Some Disney heroines are princesses, but they aren't considered part of the Disney Princess line-up. These characters so far include:
- Anna (Frozen): Her sister Elsa is actually a queen, not a princess.
- Atta and Dot (A Bug's Life)
- Attina, Alana, Adella, Aquata, Arista and Andrina (The Little Mermaid): Ariel's sisters.
- Eilonwy (The Black Cauldron)
- Elena (Elena of Avalor)
- Giselle (Enchanted)
- Kiara (The Lion King II)
- Kida (Atlantis)
- Leia Organa (Star Wars): Princess Leia is a Disney Princess since Disney acquired the Star Wars property. Here you can learn how to make a Princess Leia costume for adults.
- Marian (Robin Hood): The king's niece.
- Megara (Hercules): Although she isn't royal, she is often in the Disney Princess line-up.
- Melody (The Little Mermaid): Ariel's daughter from the sequel.
- Moana (Moana): She will probably become a Disney Princess in the future. Here you can learn how to make a DIY Moana costume.
- Nala (The Lion King)
- Sofia (Sofia the First)
- Ting-Ting, Su and Mei (Mulan): The Emperor's daughters from the sequel.
- Vanellope von Scheetz (Wreck-It-Ralph)
Now that you know what are the names of the Disney Princesses, tell us who is your favorite in the comments section!
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