Everyone thinks they know the Hello Kitty characters names, but honestly? Most people are just scratching the surface of a 450-strong roster that spans decades. You probably know the big white cat with the red bow. But did you know her name isn’t even Hello Kitty? It's Kitty White. And she lives in London. Not Japan.
It's 2026, and Sanrio is currently in the middle of a massive "retro revival," bringing back characters from the 80s and 90s that were basically left for dead. If you've been into a Sanrio store lately, you’ve probably seen some unfamiliar faces like Spottie Dottie or Hanamaruobake popping up next to the usual suspects.
The Sanrio universe is way weirder and more complex than most casual fans realize. We’re talking about a world where a piece of sliced salmon hopes to be eaten for dinner and a group of "butt fairies" once had their own mobile game. It's a trip.
The Core 10: The Names You Definitely Need to Know
If you want to talk Sanrio without sounding like a total newbie, you’ve gotta start with the heavy hitters. These are the characters that dominate the annual Sanrio Character Ranking and show up on 90% of the merch in the U.S.
1. Kitty White (Hello Kitty)
She's the undisputed queen, though her popularity has actually been challenged recently. Born on November 1st, she's "five apples tall" and weighs "three apples." Her twin sister, Mimmy, wears a yellow bow on the opposite ear. Kitty's the cheerful one; Mimmy's the shy one. Simple.
2. Cinnamoroll
Basically the king of Sanrio right now. This white puppy was born on a cloud and has ears so big he can fly. His name is actually Cinnamon, and he’s been winning the popularity polls for years, often beating Kitty herself. He's quiet, sweet, and his tail looks like—you guessed it—a cinnamon roll.
3. Pompompurin
He’s a golden retriever who wears a brown beret because he looks like a pudding (purin). In 2025, he actually reclaimed the #1 spot in the global rankings. He loves napping and nabbing shoes to hide them. He’s the definition of "no thoughts, head empty" vibes.
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4. Kuromi
The "punk rock" rival to My Melody. She’s got a black jester’s hat with a pink skull. People love her because she’s a tomboy who secretly loves romance novels. She’s basically the patron saint of the "alt" and "goth" Sanrio fans.
5. My Melody
Kitty's best friend. She’s a rabbit who wears a pink (or sometimes red) hood that her grandma made for her. She’s sweet, she bakes cookies, and she’s the "good girl" foil to Kuromi’s chaos.
6. Badtz-Maru
A mischievous penguin born on April Fool’s Day in Hawaii. He’s got a permanent scowl and a pet alligator named Pochi. He’s for anyone who thinks the rest of the Sanrio world is just a little too sugary.
7. Keroppi (Kerokerokeroppi)
The energetic frog from Donut Pond. He’s a classic from the late 80s who remains a staple. He’s got huge eyes and a V-shaped mouth, and he’s usually seen with his brother Koroppi or sister Pikki.
8. Pochacco
A sporty little dog who loves "walking the long way round." He was huge in the 90s (winning five years in a row) and is currently having a massive comeback with Gen Z and Gen Alpha fans.
9. Little Twin Stars (Kiki and Lala)
Celestial twins born on Christmas Eve on the Compassion Star. Kiki (the boy with blue hair) loves inventing, and Lala (the girl with pink hair) is the artist. They’re basically the aesthetic peak of the 70s "dreamy" Sanrio era.
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10. Gudetama
The lazy egg. He’s always tired, he doesn't want to do anything, and he represents the collective burnout of the modern world. He’s technically a newer addition (2013), but he’s become a global icon because he's just so relatable.
The 2026 Resurgence: Characters Making a Comeback
Sanrio is currently pushing a bunch of "underrated" characters back into the spotlight. If you’re seeing these names on your feed, here’s the deal with them.
Spottie Dottie is a Dalmatian fashionista from New York City. She was a 90s staple that Sanrio once labeled a "flop," but she’s officially back in the 2026 US lineup. People who grew up in the 90s are losing their minds over her return.
Then there's My Sweet Piano. She’s the soft pink sheep who is My Melody’s best friend. For years, she was just a sidekick, but she’s now ranking in the top 20 globally. She’s literally the personification of "soft girl" energy.
And don't overlook Usahana. She’s a colorful bunny with different colored ears. She disappeared for a decade but recently bounced back into the top rankings because her "kidcore" aesthetic is trending again.
The Weird Side of Sanrio Names
You haven’t truly explored the names of the Hello Kitty characters until you look at the ones that make you say, "Wait, what?"
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- KIRIMIchan: She is literally a slice of salmon. Her head is a fillet. Her goal in life is to be eaten because she wants to be "delicious." It’s dark, but people love her.
- Hagurumanstyle: A group of anthropomorphic teeth that are also Japanese salarymen. They’re eyeless, slightly creepy, and incredibly popular with office workers in Tokyo.
- Cogimyun: A wheat flour fairy. She’s so fragile that she can crumble if you touch her. She’s the ultimate "must protect" character.
- Lloromannic: A demon duo named Berry and Cherry. Their name is "Cinnamoroll" spelled backward (well, sort of, in Japanese phonetics). They are his rivals and live in the world behind mirrors.
Why the Names Keep Changing (And Why It Matters)
Sanrio is notorious for tweaking names and backstories. My Sweet Piano was originally just called "Hitsuji" (Sheep) back in the 80s. They changed it to Piano in 2005 to make her more marketable.
Even Pompompurin was originally just "Purin" (Pudding), but they added the "Pompom" to make it more rhythmic.
This matters for collectors. If you find a vintage item with the name "Hitsuji," it’s worth way more than a modern "My Sweet Piano" plush. The lore is deep, and the branding is surgical.
Understanding the "Hapidanbui" Squad
In the last couple of years, Sanrio grouped six of its "forgotten" male characters into a boy band called Hapidanbui. The name roughly means "Happy Boys who want to be cool."
The lineup includes:
- Pochacco
- Tuxedosam (the dapper penguin with 365 bow ties)
- Keroppi
- Badtz-Maru
- Hangyodon (the half-fish, half-human guy who wants to be a hero)
- Pekkle (the duck who can't swim)
This group was a genius move. It took characters that were individual "B-listers" and turned them into a powerhouse team that now rivals Hello Kitty in merch sales.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of Sanrio names and characters, here is what you should actually do:
- Check the 2025/2026 Ranking Results: Sanrio releases the official character ranking every year. Looking at the "overseas" vs. "Japan" rankings will show you which characters are about to get more merch in your region.
- Watch the "Supercute Adventures" Series: It’s a short-form YouTube series that actually gives these characters personalities beyond just being a drawing on a pencil case. It's the best way to learn the character dynamics.
- Follow the "Next Kawaii Project": This is where Sanrio tests new characters like Hanamaruobake (the shy ghost) and Puripuri Unpies (the poop fairies). Watching this project tells you who the "next Hello Kitty" might be before they blow up.
- Look for the Birthdays: Sanrio is big on "Birthday Months." If it’s November, expect a ton of Kitty White merch. If it’s March, Cinnamoroll gets the spotlight. Shopping during a character's birthday month is the easiest way to find limited-edition stuff.
The world of Sanrio is way more than just a red bow. It’s a massive, weird, and surprisingly emotional universe of characters that have been evolving for over 50 years. Whether you're a Cinnamoroll stan or a Kuromi devotee, there’s always a new name to learn.