Listen, I’m here to admit that there have been many mornings where I’ve stared at my cereal box and wondered whether or not the Lucky Charms leprechaun, the Trix bunny, et al have real names or whether they’re forever destined to care only about cereal.
If you’ve had these and similar musings, well, wonder no more – here are the real names of 16 fictional characters.
16. CASPER THE FRIENDLY GHOST // CASPER MCFADDEN
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bg2Wn1eguu_/
Casper has been around for decades, but in 1995, the movie (starring Devon Sawa, Christina Ricci, and Bill Pullman), gave his family name.
15. THE MAN WITH THE YELLOW HAT // TED SHACKELFORD
We found out in a deleted scene from the 2006 Curious George movie, and personally, I find it strangely fitting.
14. GEOFFREY THE TOYS “R” US MASCOT // DR. G. RAFFE
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkjX0U5AZ7Z/
The giraffe’s full name is very fancy. For a giraffe.
13. BIC PEN LOGO // BIC BOY
And in case you’re wondering, he’s not impaled by a pen, but just holding it behind his back.
12. SHAGGY // NORVILLE ROGERS
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAfYmRfgCfx/
The chicken of the group has a name (though personally I prefer Shaggy).
11. TWITTER LOGO // LARRY BIRD
Larry Bird. Y’all. Come on.
10. SCOOBY DOO // SCOOBERT
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9UPVT-lIWd/
Yes, it’s Scoobert Doo (though some have speculated on whether or not it might be Scoobert Doobert).
9. MR. PEANUT // BARTHOLOMEW RICHARD FITZGERALD-SMYTHE
Antonio Gentile was 14 in 1916 when he entered and won a Planter’s Peanuts’ contest to create a mascot. He also suggested the name.
8. MACGYVER // ANGUS MACGYVER
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAkZH04gcNp/
An early press release suggested his first name was Stacey, but it was officially revealed as Angus in the final season.
7. THE MICHELIN MAN // BIBENDUM
An early advertisement showed the Michelin Man holding a cocktail made of nails and broken glass, under the slogan “Nunc est bibendum!” “Michelin tires drink up obstacles.”
6. TURTLE FROM ENTOURAGE // SALVATORE ASSANTE
The Jeopardy! answer was wrong, according to the actor, Jerry Ferrara.
5. EVIL QUEEN // GRIMHILDE
The evil queen from Snow White’s name was revealed as Queen Grimhilde in the comic book adaptation.
4. WILSON FROM HOME IMPROVEMENT // WILSON W. WILSON JR.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQBvberguL_/
He also has a niece named Willow Wilson.
3. JUGHEAD // FORSYTHE P. JONES III
I mean, his parents would have been real jerks if they’d named him Jughead.
2. THE SKIPPER FROM GILLIGAN’S ISLAND // JONAS GRUMBY
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-WvEdNlGAu/
It’s a strangely fitting name for the owner of the S.S. Minnow.
1. WOODY FROM TOY STORY // WOODY PRIDE
This information courtesy of Toy Story 3 director Lee Unkrich.
Well, there you go. Some of these are real stumpers if you ask me.
Which of these surprised you the most? Share with us in the comments!