You know the song. Honestly, everyone does. But when you sit down to watch the 1964 Rankin/Bass stop-motion special, things get a little weird. Suddenly, there are elves who want to be dentists and a prospector licked by a giant snow monster. It’s a trip. If you’re trying to settle a debate about Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer characters names, you’ve probably realized the list goes way beyond just Dasher and Dancer.
Most people think they know the lineup. Then they realize they can't remember the name of the girl reindeer or the specific guy who runs the Island of Misfit Toys. It’s not just you. The special added a whole layer of mythology that Clement Clarke Moore never dreamed of when he wrote "A Visit from St. Nicholas."
The Core Reindeer: More Than Just a Song
The original 1939 poem by Robert L. May gave us the famous eight, plus Rudolph. But the TV special changed the stakes.
Let's talk about Rudolph himself. In the special, his father isn't just a random deer—it's Donner. This created a weird bit of lore because, in the original poem, the name was "Dunder" (Dutch for thunder), which later became Donner. His mother is never actually named in the dialogue of the special, though some tie-in books refer to her as Mrs. Donner.
Then there’s Clarice. She’s the one who tells Rudolph he’s cute. That single moment of validation is basically the turning point of the entire plot. Without Clarice, Rudolph probably stays a recluse. She’s distinguished by her red polka-dot bow and the fact that she’s one of the few characters who isn't a total jerk to Rudolph for having a glowing nose.
And we can't forget Fireball. Remember him? He’s the young buck with the shock of orange hair who initially befriends Rudolph during the Reindeer Games before the "nose reveal" happens. He’s often forgotten, but he represents that fickle childhood friendship we all experienced.
The Misfits and Outcasts
The heart of the story isn't the North Pole social elite. It’s the weirdos.
Hermey is the standout. He’s the "Misfit Elf." People often misspell his name as Herbie, but it’s definitely Hermey. He doesn't want to make toys; he wants to be a dentist. His boss, often just called the Head Elf, is a taskmaster with a serious attitude problem.
Then you have the Island of Misfit Toys crew. This is where the names get specific:
- King Moonracer: The winged lion who rules the island. He's surprisingly regal for a puppet.
- Charlie-in-the-Box: He’s a Jack-in-the-box, but his name is Charlie. That’s the "mistake" that makes him a misfit.
- A Dolly for Sue: A rag doll who seems perfectly fine. For decades, fans debated why she was a misfit. The late Arthur Rankin Jr. eventually clarified that she had "psychological problems" stemming from being unloved. Dark, right?
- The Spotted Elephant: A footman for the King.
- Train with Square Wheels: Self-explanatory, really.
- Gun That Shoots Jelly: Actually sounds like a win, but apparently not for Santa.
The Human (and Humanoid) Players
Sam the Snowman is our narrator, voiced by the legendary Burl Ives. He looks like a rolling ball of glitter and carries a banjo. He’s the glue.
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Then there is Yukon Cornelius. He’s the greatest prospector in the North. He’s obsessed with finding silver and gold, though he spends most of his time licking his pickaxe. Interestingly, he’s looking for peppermint, not precious metals—a reveal that was actually cut from some versions of the broadcast but restored later.
Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus are present, but Santa is kind of a grump in this version. He’s skinny, he’s stressed about the weather, and he’s surprisingly hard on the elves. It’s a very different vibe than the jolly Saint Nick we see on Coca-Cola cans.
And of course, the antagonist. The Abominable Snow Monster of the North, better known as the Bumble. He’s not actually evil; he just has a toothache. Once Hermey performs some DIY dental surgery, the Bumble becomes a productive member of society who can put the star on the top of the tree.
Why These Names Stick 60 Years Later
The staying power of these Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer characters names comes down to the writing by Romeo Muller. He took a short song and built a universe of outcasts.
Think about Coach Comet. He’s the one who runs the Reindeer Games and tells Rudolph to "go home" after his nose is discovered. It’s a harsh world up there. The names reflect a mix of traditional Christmas lore and mid-century whimsy.
There are also the background characters. Did you know the reindeer team includes Vixen, Blitzen, Cupid, and Prancer, but they barely get any lines? They’re basically the "popular kids" who stand in the background while Rudolph and Hermey do the heavy lifting.
The Voice Behind the Names
If you really want to impress people at a trivia night, you need to know who voiced these icons. Billie Mae Richards voiced Rudolph. Yes, a woman in her 40s played the young male reindeer. Paul Soles gave us the voice of Hermey. These Canadian actors (the special was recorded in Toronto) gave the characters a specific, gentle quality that modern reboots usually fail to capture.
Tracking the Name Changes
The history of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer characters names is actually a bit messy if you look at the sequels.
- Rudolph’s Shiny New Year (1976): We meet Father Time, Baby New Year (Happy), and Eon the Terrible.
- Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July (1979): This one gets wild. It introduces a villain named Winterbolt and a lady reindeer named Stella.
- The 1998 Animated Feature: This wasn't Rankin/Bass. In this version, Rudolph’s dad is Blitzen (not Donner), and his love interest is Zoey (not Clarice).
It’s important to keep these separate. When people talk about the "classic" names, they almost always mean the 1964 stop-motion puppets.
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The Evolution of the "Other" Reindeer
We often forget that the names of the original eight reindeer weren't even consistent in the 1800s. "The Night Before Christmas" originally listed them as Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Dunder, and Blixem.
By the time Rudolph was created as a marketing gimmick for Montgomery Ward in 1939, the names had been standardized to the ones we know. Robert L. May actually considered naming Rudolph "Rollo" or "Reginald." Imagine singing "Reginald the Red-Nosed Reindeer." It just doesn't have the same ring to it.
Actionable Insights for Your Holiday Rewatch
If you’re planning to host a screening or just want to be the smartest person in the room during the holidays, here is how you can use this knowledge:
- The Misfit Doll Trivia: Point out that the "Dolly for Sue" has no visible flaws. When people ask why she's a misfit, explain the "low self-esteem/abandonment" backstory confirmed by the producers. It’s a great conversation starter (or killer).
- Yukon’s Pickaxe: Watch Yukon Cornelius closely. He’s not tasting for gold; he’s tasting for peppermint mines. In the restored ending, he actually finds one.
- The Dentist Connection: Hermey’s desire to be a dentist was actually a bit of a "taboo" topic in the 60s—the idea of wanting a career outside of the family business (toy making) was a subtle nod to the changing social landscape of the era.
- Donner vs. Blitzen: Keep an eye on which parent is which. If you're watching the 1964 version, it's definitely Donner. If someone argues it's Blitzen, they're likely remembering the 1998 cartoon or the original poem's lineage.
Understanding the hierarchy of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer characters names helps you appreciate the narrative depth Rankin/Bass brought to a simple jingle. It turned a song about a nose into a story about finding where you belong when the world says you don't fit in.
Next time you see the Bumble bouncing or Hermey pulling a tooth, you'll know exactly who you're looking at. The North Pole is a small place, but it's packed with a surprisingly complex cast of characters that have defined Christmas for generations.
Identify the version you are watching first. Since the 1964 special, the 1998 movie, and the 2000s CGI versions all swap parentage and love interests, verifying the production year is the only way to get the names 100% right for your specific movie night.
Pay attention to the background elves. While they aren't all named, the "Tall Elf" and the "Head Elf" are distinct personalities that drive the North Pole's rigid social structure. Observing their interactions provides a lot of context for why Hermey felt the need to leave in the first place.
Look for the 1964 "Fame and Fortune" song swap. In some versions, the song "Fame and Fortune" replaces "We're a Couple of Misfits." This changes the vibe of Hermey and Rudolph's departure significantly. Seeing which one your copy has tells you a lot about which "edition" of the lore you're consuming.
Verify the Bumble's name origin. While "Bumble" is the nickname Yukon Cornelius gives him, "Abominable Snow Monster" is his official species. He's often confused with the Yeti, but in the context of the Rankin/Bass universe, he is a singular, local threat—until the dental work, anyway.
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Check the end credits for the "Misfit" names. Many of the toys on the island are named only in the screenplay or by the narrator, Sam the Snowman. If you’re ever in doubt, Sam’s narration is the "canon" source for the 1964 universe.
Distinguish between the 1939 book and 1964 movie. If you’re reading the Robert L. May story to kids, don’t look for Yukon Cornelius or Hermey. They don’t exist there. That story is strictly about Rudolph overcoming a fog-related logistical crisis at the North Pole without the help of prospectors or dentists.
Use the names to find vintage collectibles. If you’re searching for old ornaments or figures, using specific names like "King Moonracer" or "Clarice" will yield much better results than searching for "Rudolph lion" or "Rudolph girl deer."
Notice the "Bumble" transition. The character's shift from a terrifying beast to a helpful handyman who places the star on the tree is a classic example of the "reformed monster" trope. This theme is consistent across many Rankin/Bass productions, like The Year Without a Santa Claus.
Observe the reindeer's eyes. In the stop-motion version, the characters have very expressive, often sorrowful eyes. This was a deliberate choice by the Japanese animators at TAD (the studio Rankin/Bass used) to make the characters feel more "human" and sympathetic to the audience.
Appreciate the Burl Ives influence. Sam the Snowman’s design was actually changed late in production to look more like the actor Burl Ives. This is why the snowman has such a specific facial structure and goatee compared to the more simplistic designs of the other puppets.
Track the "Peppermint" subplot. In the original ending that was cut for years, Yukon Cornelius finally finds a "Peppermint Mine." This explains why he was always licking his pickaxe. If your version includes this, you’re watching the fully restored 1964 special.
Understand the "Dolly" mystery. Since she was never explicitly given a physical flaw, she represents the "invisible" misfits. This makes her one of the most relatable characters for adults who felt out of place for internal, rather than external, reasons.
Recognize the "Head Elf's" role. He acts as the secondary antagonist, representing the "status quo" that Rudolph and Hermey are fighting against. His eventual acceptance of Hermey’s dentistry is just as important as Santa’s acceptance of Rudolph’s nose.
Listen for the distinct voice acting. Note how the characters’ voices reflect their personalities—Hermey’s soft, uncertain tone versus the Head Elf’s sharp, nasal bark. This vocal contrast is a hallmark of high-quality mid-century animation.
Map the North Pole geography. Between the Reindeer Games field, the Elf Workshop, and the Island of Misfit Toys, the world-building is surprisingly consistent. Knowing the names of the locations helps in understanding the journey Rudolph and Hermey take across the "Sea of Lead-Based Ice."