Characters (2024)

This article is to list Barbie characters. Please do not use the inaccurate Wikipedia article "List of Barbie's friends and family" as a source (editors on that page add things such as unconfirmed relationships and unofficial middle/surnames).

List of Main Characters

• 1959-present: Barbara "Barbie" Millicent Roberts was introduced on March 9, 1959 at the New York Toy Fair. Her story was that she was a teenage fashion model from Willows, Wisconsin.^[1] She was named after Barbara, the daughter of Barbie creator Ruth Handler. Barbie had many careers, such as an actress starring in movies. In 2002, Barbie was part of the My Scene doll line. In 2015, Barbie's backstory was retconned so that instead of being a model who went to Willows High, Barbie is a 17-year-old vlogger who goes to Golden Beach High in Los Angeles. She met Ken when she moved to Malibu, California at age 8 (according to the vlog "Barbie: DRAW MY LIFE!"). Instead of being in a relationship with Ken, they have unconfessed feelings for each other and are best friends. Barbie's parents are George and Margaret Roberts. She has three younger sisters named Skipper, Stacie and Chelsea.
• 1961-present: Ken Carson was introduced on March 11, 1961. He was named after Kenneth, the son of Barbie creator Ruth Handler. Ken's backstory is that, like Barbie, he is from Willows, Wisconsin. He met Barbie on the set of their first television commercial together. Ken was Barbie's boyfriend until they broke up on Valentine's Day in 2004. Barbie and Ken got back together on Valentine's Day in 2011.^[2] However, their relationship and Ken's backstory were later retconned. In the 2015 vlog, "Barbie: DRAW MY LIFE!", Barbie says she met Ken when she moved to Malibu, California when she was 8. He was her neighbor and they became friends. In the 2017 movie Barbie Dolphin Magic, Barbie says she grew up next door to Ken, and Skipper says they think of him like family. In the 2018 animated series Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures, Ken and Barbie have a crush on each other. In the 2020 movie Barbie Princess Adventure, Ken feels unable to confess his feelings. In Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures, he lives with his parents and has no siblings, but in previous continuity, Ken had a younger brother named Tommy Carson.

• 1960(?)-present: Margaret Roberts is Barbie's mother. In a 2013 episode of the animated series Barbie Life in the Dreamhouse, she is referred to as Martha Roberts. She is a character in the 2018 animated series Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures and the following movies. She is a computer engineer.^[3]

• 1960(?)-present: George Roberts is Barbie's father. He is a character in the 2018 animated series Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures and the following movies. He is a documentary filmmaker.^[4]

• 1963-2015: Midge was introduced as Barbie's best friend. Midge married Ken's friend Alan Sherwood in 1991 and they had three kids, which cause a conversary. In 2013, Midge was in the animated series Barbie Life in the Dreamhouse, but she was a teenage girl with no husband or child. Midge is currently discontinued from the doll line. She has no plans to be featured in any Barbie animated media or books. She will appear in the 2023 Barbie Live Action Film, where she is pregnant again, but that will be her last appearance for a long while.

• 1964-present: Skipper Roberts is one of Barbie's younger sisters. Skipper is a teenage girl. She is currently a brunette, the only one of the sisters to not be blonde. The brown hair appears to be a trait from George Roberts.

• 1965-1971: Tutti was one of Barbie's younger sisters. She had a twin brother named Todd.

• 1965-1996: Todd was Barbie's younger brother. He had a twin sister named Tutti.

• 1966-1976: Francie was one of Barbie's cousins. In the March 1966 issue of Barbie Magazine, she is the daughter of Claude and Lily Fairchild.[SOURCE?]

• 1968-2015: Christie is one of Barbie's friends. She is African-American. Christie was replaced by Nikki as the main African American friend in late 2005. She last appeared in the 2015 movie Barbie & Her Sisters in The Great Puppy Adventure when Barbie went to visit Willows and reunited with her. The movie is the last time Christie was seen, but it is part of the modern Barbie continuity. She is currently retired.

• 1969–1985: P.J. was one of Barbie's cousins.

• 1986-1987: Dana was part of the band Barbie and the Rockers.

• 1986-1987: Dee Dee was part of the band Barbie and the Rockers.

• 1986-1987: Diva was part of the band Barbie and the Rockers.

• 1986-1987: Derek was part of the band Barbie and the Rockers.

• 1988: Bopsy was part of the band Barbie and the Sensations.

• 1988: Belinda was part of the band Barbie and the Sensations.

• 1988: Becky was part of the band Barbie and the Sensations.
• 1989 Devon is a friend of Barbie and part of her Dance Club troupe.
• 1989: Kayla is a friend of Barbie and would appear in several editions through the 1990s and into the 2000s.

• 1988–1992: Jazzie was one of Barbie's cousins.

• 1988-present: Teresa is one of Barbie's friends. She is Latina. She has been Barbie's frequest best friend, almost always seen at Barbie's side. She has had roles in almost all of Barbie's movies, where she is an actress alongside Barbie. She is the character most frequently featured in movies, books, merchandise, dolls, and animated series. She was Barbie's main best friend until 2020, when Brooklyn became Barbie's "Right hand girl". Teresa is still prominantly featured but not as often. Her most recent appearance was the 2023 movie "Happy Dream Day". It is unknown whether she will be in the 2023 live action Barbie film.

• 1990-present: Stacie Roberts is one of Barbie's younger sisters. Stacie is a child. She is known for being the sporty one.

• 1994-2010: Kelly Roberts was one of Barbie's younger sisters. Also known as Shelly, Kelly was a toddler. Kelly was a frequent character in Barbie's movies. Often times, the movie was a fantasy story told to Kelly. She had her own mini series, website, and computer game series called "Kelly's Dream Club". She ranged from age 3 to 5. Though in her later dolls she looked taller, like possibly 6 or 7.

• 1999-2001: Krissy Roberts was one of Barbie's younger sisters. Krissy was a baby. Krissy was featured in web games.

• 2004: Blaine Gordon was Barbie's boyfriend after she broke up with Ken in 2004. Blaine is Australian and he has a sister named Summer.

• 2004-2015: Summer was one of Barbie's friends. She was a redhead and sporty. She has a brother named Blaine. Summer appeared in the 2010 movie Barbie and The Three Musketeers (where she played a character named Aramina) and the animated series Barbie Life in the Dreamhouse (where she played herself). She does not appear in animated media anymore, but you can see her in illustration form in merchandise, magazines, activity books, and clipart,

• 2005: Tori was part of the American Idol doll line. She competed against Barbie and Simone.

• 2005: Simone was part of the American Idol doll line. She competed against Barbie and Tori.

• 2006: Tia was one of Barbie's friends. She is African-American and was introduced in the 2006 movie The Barbie Diaries. After that movie she had a few Fashion Fever dolls. She is currently discontinued.

• 2006: Courtney was one of Barbie's friends. She was introduced in the 2006 movie The Barbie Diaries. She also had Fashion Fever dolls. She is currently discontinued.

• 2006-present: Nikki is one of Barbie's friends. She is African-American. The was formerly the main African American character, and Barbie's second best friend. She and Teresa were Barbie's most featured friends. Nikki's first movie role was playing Rayla the Cloud Queen in Magic of Pegasus. She appeared in many more movies and was in "Dreamhouse Adventures" where she was a main character. She was artistic, and a fashion designer. She was also a savvy business woman who enjoyed making or investing in new businesses. Nikki is still a current character, but she is no longer the main African American character, Brooklyn has taken over that role.

• 2006-2015: Raquelle was Barbie's frenemy. She was first a Fashion Fever and book only character. She was a friend, but not frenemy in the Fashion Fever doll line. She appeared in the 2006 movie The Barbie Diaries, the 2010 movie Barbie A Fashion Fairytale and was rebranded into a vindictive girl who was jealous of Barbie. She was in the 2011 movie Barbie A Fairy Secret, and the 2012 animated series Barbie Life in the Dreamhouse. Raquelle has a twin brother named Ryan. Raquelle had a crush on Barbie's boyfriend Ken temporarily. She resolved that issue in A Fairy Secret and it was revealed that she just wanted to be Barbie's friend but thought Barbie was too cool for her.

• 2009-2015: Grace was one of Barbie's friends. She was introduced as part of the spin-off S.I.S (So In Style) line of African-American dolls. Her backstory was that she moved to Chicago and made new friends. Grace appeared in the 2010 movie Barbie A Fashion Fairytale as one of Barbie's friends, along with Teresa. In 2014, Grace appeared in the animated series Barbie Life in the Dreamhouse, which is set in Malibu. She is possibly discontinued.

• 2010: Millicent is Barbie's aunt. She was introduced in the 2010 movie Barbie A Fashion Fairytale. She is an American fashion designer that is based in Paris, France. Millicent is seen in Barbie: A Fashion Fairytale, mentioned in Barbie: A Fairy Secret, and seen again in Barbie: A Perfect Christmas.

• 2010-present: Ryan is a teenage boy. He has a crush on Barbie and he has a twin sister named Raquelle. Ryan was later rebranded, he is the tanned doll with a man bun. He is best friends with Harper and possibly has a crush on her. He was no longer an antagonist when he was rebranded.

• 2011-present: Chelsea Roberts is one of Barbie's younger sisters. As of the 2021 movie Barbie & Chelsea The Lost Birthday, Chelsea is 7 years old. She replaced Kelly. Chelsea has her own series, Dreamtopia where it is centered around fantasy and princess adventures in Chelsea's overly colorful imagination dimension.

• 2013: Kristen was one of Barbie's cousins. She was introduced in the 2013 book Barbie: Wedding Party!

• 2013: Marlene was Barbie's aunt. She was in the 2013 movie Barbie & Her Sisters in A Pony Tale. She is an American woman who owns a horseback riding academy in the Alps in Switzerland. She has twin children named Max and Marlene.

• 2013: Marie was one of Barbie's cousins. She was in the 2013 movie Barbie & Her Sisters in A Pony Tale. She has a twin brother named Max. Their mother is Barbie's Aunt Marlene. She is friends with Stacie and around her age.

• 2013: Max was one of Barbie's cousins. He was in the 2013 movie Barbie & Her Sisters in A Pony Tale. He has a twin sister named Marie. Their mother is Barbie's Aunt Marlene.

• 2015: Barbie's Grandmother appeared in the 2015 movie Barbie & Her Sisters in The Great Puppy Adventure and was mentioned in Barbie Vlogs.

• 2015: Barbie Grandfather is mentioned in the 2015 movie Barbie & Her Sisters in The Great Puppy Adventure and Barbie Vlogs.

• 2016-2017: Harper was one of Barbie's friends. She was part of the Barbie Fashionistas doll line and she had a Curvy body. She was Barbie's first Curvy friend. She appeared in three Barbie Vlogs.

• 2018-present: Renee is one of Barbie's friends. She is Chinese-American and has a Tall body. Renee was introduced in "Barbie Spy Squad". And her character was featured and expanded upon in Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures. That same version of Renee was in "Barbie Princess Adventure" As a main character. Her most recent media appearance is the 2023 movie special "Happy Dream Day". Renee is very sporty and a skater. She is relatable and silly. She loves snacking all the time.

• 2018-present: Daisy is one of Barbie's friends. She is Curvy and has pink hair. Daisy was introduced in Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures. She is one of Barbie's most featured friends recently. Daisy and Brooklyn get featured the most, especially in merchandise.

• 2018: Agnes is one of Barbie's aunts. She was mentioned in the Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures episode "The Roof Fairy".

• 2019: Adele is one of Barbie's aunts. She was introduced in the Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures episode "The Ballad of Windy Willows".

• 2020-present: "Brooklyn" also known as Barbie "Brooklyn" Roberts is Barbie's newest friend. She is currently an equal protagonist with Barbie in the current media. She replaced Nikki as the main African-American friend, though Nikki still exists. Brooklyn was introduced as a musically talented girl interested in Broadway, singing, and acting. Her debut movie was "Barbie: Big City Big Dreams". She got a spin off series from that "It Takes Two". She also appears in the movies: "Mermaid Power", "Epic Road Trip" and "Happy Dream Day". You can find artwork of her and Barbie on almost everything, from backpacks and water bottles to fishing poles.

Barbie's Male Friends

• Allan (1964 - 2004)
• Derek (Barbie and The Rockers, 1986-7)
• Bobby(Part of the Foreign Edition Sensations group, 1988)
• Steven (Christie's/Shani's/Nikki's boyfriend.1988-2016??)

Barbie's Female Friends

• Jamie (1970–1972)
• Steffie (1972–1973)
• Valerie (1974)
• Cara (1975–78)
• Tracy (1983)
• Kira (1990-2001)
• Kayla (2002-2004)

The 80s

• Miko (1986–88)
• Whitney (1987–91)

The 90s

• Kayla (1989)
• Nia(1990)
• Tara Lynn (1993)
• Reina (1999)
• Becky

Generation Girl

1999:

• Ana Suarez
• Chelsie Peterson
• Lara Morelli-Strauss
• Tori Burns
• Nichelle Williams

2000:

• Mari Nakano
• Blaine Gordon

Mystery Squad

2001 series:

• Drew
• Kenzie
• Shawnee

My Scene

• Madison/Westley 2002-2011
• Chelsea 2002-2011
• Nolee 2003-2008
• Delancey 2003-2011
• Kenzie 2004-2006/2007
• Kennedy 2006-2011
• Jai
• Nia 2008-2011

1 Modern Circle

2003:

• Simone (1 Modern Circle)
• Melody (1 Modern Circle)

2004:

• Lea
• Blaine

• Summer (sister of Blaine)

Model of the Moment

2004:

• Daria
• Marisa
• Nichelle

Fashion Fever

2004:

• Drew
• Desiree

2005:

• Courtney
• Gillian
• Kurt
• Desiree
• Shannen
• Tia
• Kira

Late 2000s

• Ling (special edition doll from the House of Barbie, Shanghai, 2009)

Friends of family

Skipper's friends

• Navya
• Chantal
• Daisy
• Anna
• Cheri
• Joy
• Ricky (1963–67)

• Skooter (1965–67)
• Fluff (1971–72)
• Tiff (1972–73)
• Ginger (1976)
• Courtney (1995–2001)
• Nikki (1997-2005)

Skipper's Boyfriends

• Scott (boyfriend, 1979)
• Kevin (boyfriend, 1990)

Tutti's friends

• Chris (1967–68, 1976–77)
• Carla (European release only, 1976)

Stacie's friends

• Jayla
• Whitney (1994-2006)
• Janet (1994-2006)
• Katie Wang ("Barbie and Friends: Little Sisters Keep Out" only.)
• Lila (2004–05 - previously named "Miranda")

Kelly's friends

Li'l Friends of Kelly - Years of introduction:

• 1995 - Becky, Chelsie, Melody
• 1996 - Deidre, Jenny, Marisa
• 1997 - Tommy
• 1998 - Kayla, Keeya, Maria, Nia, Tamika
• 1999 - Belinda, Desiree, Liana, Lorena, Marisa
• 2000 - Nikki, Ryan
• 2003 - Kerstie, Tabitha
• 2006 - Gia, Tori
• ? - Miranda

Chelsea's friends

• Zoie
• Renee
• Tamika
• Viveca
• Kira
• Madison
• Otto
• Shelby
• Aquaria

Francie's friends

• Casey (1967–70)
• Becky (2009)

Jazzie's friends

1989:

• Dude (boyfriend)
• Chelsie
• Stacie

Ken's family

• Tommy (brother)
• Kevin (brother)
• Edna Carson (grandmother)
• Kenneth Carson Sr. (great grandfather)
• Kenneth Carson Jr. (grandfather)
• Kenneth Carson III (father)

Ken's friends

• Allan (1964)
• Brad (1970)
• Curtis (1975)
• Todd (Tracy's fiancé/husband, 1983)

The Heart Family (neighbors of Barbie)

1985:

• Dad Heart
• Mom Heart
• Megan Heart (baby daughter)
• Baby Boy Heart (Megan's twin brother)

1986:

• New Arrival Heart

1987:

• Grandma Heart
• Grandpa Heart

Cousins

1988:

• Kenny
• Kevin
• Honey
• Janet
• Melody
• Nellie

Friends

1989:

• Daria
• Pleasance
• Gillian
• Darrin
• Windy
• Tawny

Midge and Alan's family

Midge's children are not canon anymore due to Mattel's troubles in controversies around the various pregnant Midge dolls.

• Ryan Sherwood (Midge and Alan's son, 2002)
• Nicole "Nikki" Sherwood (Midge and Alan's oldest daughter, 2003)
• Cassandra Sherwood (Midge and Alan's youngest daughter, 2004)
• Grandma Hadley (Midge, Lila, and Melody's mother, 2003)
• Grandpa Hadley (Midge, Lila, and Melody's father, 2003)
• Lila (Midge's sister)
• Scott (Alan's brother)

Midge and Alan's neighbors

2004:

• Mom aka New Neighbor Mom
• Dad aka New Neighbor Dad
• New Neighbor Baby
• New Neighbor Daughter

References