All of us have grown up watching Disney movies about princesses like Snow White, Cinderella, Rapunzel, and more. Many of these princesses are a part of the official canon of Disney world. These female protagonists have royal ties with fictional universes. At the moment, everyone has a favorite Disney princess.
Do you know the names of all the Disney princesses? If you are not aware of them, don’t worry in this article, we have covered the names of all the Disney princesses. So what are you waiting for? Keep scrolling further to learn the names of all the Disney princesses.
How many Disney Princesses are there?
For those of you who are unaware, let us share with you, there are a total of 12 Disney princesses at the moment and recently one new princess named Raya has also been added to the list. The names of the Disney princesses are as follows: Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Pocahontas, Mulan, Tiana, Rapunzel, Merida, and Moana.
1. Snow White
Do you know, who was the first Disney princess? The answer to this particular question is Snow White. Yeah, you read that right. Snow White, the first and original Disney princess leads the pack of Disney princesses from the front. Walt Disney productions’ first animated feature film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs hit the cinema halls in 1937. Her movie is based on the 1812 German fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm.
The film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs ruled the box office. At that point in time, the movie held the record of the highest-grossing sound film. Then, the character of Snow White was voiced by the American actress and singer Adriana Caselotti. After Caselotti, the character of Snow White has also been voiced by many other stars such as Jane Powell, June Foray, Mary Kay Bergman Ilene Woods, Melissa Disney, Katie Von Til, Dorothy Warenskjold, Carolyn Gardner, and Pamela Ribon.
2. Cinderella
The next Disney princess in line is Cinderella. We got to meet this Disney princess in the year 1950. Her film is based on the French version of the book Cendrillon, which has been written by Charles Perrault. In the original Disney film, Cinderella is voiced by American singer and actress Ilene Woods.
The 1950 movie Cinderella received mixed reviews from the side of critics. Some described her character as passive, one-dimensional, and less interesting than the film’s other characters, meanwhile, others found her charming, timeless, and endearing. Cinderella is one of the most loved Disney princesses of all time.
One of the most beautiful moments in the history of Disney films was the one where Cinderella’s fairy godmother turned her torn dress into a beautiful blue gown. Hollywood actress Lily James played the live-action version of this Disney princess in the 2015 adaption of the same name.
3. Aurora
And the Disney princess on spot no. 3 is Aurora who is popularly also known as ‘Sleeping Beauty’ and ‘Briar Rose.’ Her movie Sleeping Beauty saw the light of day in the year 1959. This film is based on Charles Perrault’s 1697 fairy tale of the same name. Mary Costa, the only child of King Stefan and Queen Leah voiced the character of Aurora.
Despite being the main character of the movie, Aurora had only 18 lines of dialogue in the film. In the movie Sleeping Beauty, Flora, and Merryweather argue over whether Aurora’s dress should be pink or blue. Later on, down the lane, Elle Fanning essayed the live-action version of Aurora in the 2014 film titled Maleficent. After a total of five years, Fanning returned to play the character of Aurora in the 2019 movie Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.
4. Ariel
We had to wait for a long time to see Disney princesses after Aurora. The movie The Little Mermaid was released in the year 1989. The American actress and singer Jodi Benson voiced the character of Disney princess Ariel in all official animated appearances. Ariel, the fourth Disney princess is the seventh-born daughter of King Triton and Queen Athena.
In the film, The Little Mermaid, Ariel who is often rebellious longs to be a part of the human world. The movie is based on a 1837 Danish fairy tale of the same name by Hans Christian Andersen. A live-action adaptation of the film is set to release later this year in May. The forthcoming movie will star Halle Bailey in the lead role, Jonah Hauer-King, Daveed Diggs, Awkwafina, Jacob Tremblay, Noma Dumezweni, Javier Bardem, and Melissa McCarthy.
5. Belle
The world got introduced to Disney princess Belle in the year 1991. The Disney film Beauty and the Beast is based on the French fairy tale by Jeanne-Marie Laprince de Beaumont. American actress, singer, and painter Paige O’Hara, lend her voice to the character of Disney princess Belle. The film also features the voices of Richard White, Jerry Orbach, David Ogden Stiers, and Angela Lansbury.
Let us share with you, the real name of the beast in the film is Adam. The One on One star Robby Benson voiced the character of Adam in the Disney film. At that time, the movie Beauty and the Beast was a big success at the box office. The Disney film made more than $331 million at the box office worldwide on a $25 million budget.
6. Jasmine
Disney princess Jasmine entered the picture of the Disney universe in the year 1992. The movie The Aladdin is based on the Arabic folk tale, of the same name from One Thousand and One Nights. In the original Disney film, Hollywood actress Linda Larkin voiced the character of Jasmine, the princess of Agrabah and daughter of the Sultan. Lea Salonga was Jasmine’s singing voice.
A live-action film adaptation of the movie was made in the year 2019. In Disney’s blockbuster movie Aladdin directed by Guy Ritchie, Naomi Scott played the role of Jasmine alongside Will Smith and Mena Massoud. The film performed pretty well at the box office and received good feedback.
7. Pocahontas
We got to meet the next Disney princess Pocahontas in the year 1995. We would like to share an interesting fact with you, the 1995 movie Pocahontas was released on the 400th anniversary of the year Pocahontas was born. The film is based on the life of Powhatan woman Pocahontas and the arrival of English colonial settlers from the Virginia Company.
This Disney princess Pocahontas is actually based on the actual historical figure Pocahontas, and not any fairy tale or folktale. Technically, Pocahontas is not a princess, nor she is of royalty and she doesn’t even marry into royalty. Although, she is a Chieftain’s daughter, which can be seen as the equivalent of a princess.
Native American actress Irene Bedard voiced the character of Pocahontas in the original Disney film of the same name. She was one of the physical models for the character. When we shed some light on the singing vocals for this princess, they were performed by Broadway singer Judy Kuhn.
8. Mulan
Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands up for the next Disney princess, Mulan, the eighth member of the Disney Princess line-up. Disney’s movie Mulan hit the theatres in the year 1998 and it got immense praise from critics as well as fans for its animation, plot, characters, and musical score. The movie Mulan is based on the legendary Chinese warrior Hua Mulan from the poem the Ballad of Mulan.
Mulan was the first Disney princess who was not actually a princess. This princess was neither born nor married into royalty. After Sleeping Beauty aka Aurora, Mulan was the second Disney princess to have 2 living parents. Soon after, Rapunzel, Merida, and Moana also joined the list.
Mulan was the second Disney princess to wear pants, (the first being Jasmine). Just like Jasmine, one actress voiced the character of Mulan and the other one was responsible for singing the songs. The sequel to the film titled Mulan II was released in the year 2004. A live-action adaptation of the movie was released three years ago, in 2020.
9. Tiana
In 2009, we got the golden opportunity to meet Disney princess Tiana with the release of the movie The Princess and the Frog which is based on the 2002 novel The Frog Princess by E. D. Baker which is in turn based on the Brothers Grimm tale The Frog Prince. The character of this princess was also inspired by famed New Orleans chef Leah Chase.
In the film, popular singer, and actress Anika Noni Rose, voiced the character of princess Tiana, meanwhile, Elizabeth M. Dampier voiced the character as a child. The movie The Princess and the Frog was the first Disney film to feature an African-American princess. This princess is the only one who has dimples. Princess Tiana will be seen again by all Disney lovers in the Disney+ series Tiana, which is set to release in 2024.
10. Rapunzel
The next Disney princess, Rapunzel made her debut in the year 2010 with the film Tangled. In the blink of an eye, this Disney princess became a fan favorite. Rapunzel is based on the title character of the fairy tale of the same name published by the Brothers Grimm. The This Is Us actress Mandy Moore voiced the character of Rapunzel in the original Disney film.
Out of all the Disney princesses, Rapunzel has the biggest ears. Throughout the entire movie, she is seen barefoot which is seen as a symbol of innocence. This Disney princess’ spirited, lively personality and independence was liked by the critics. Rapunzel also has her own television show.
In a media interview, Mandy Moore who voiced Rapunzel talked about the recording process and she described it as challenging. At that time, the A Walk to Remember actress said, “All I had to work off were a few sketches … but it was also fun because it allows you to go into the depths of your imagination.”
11. Merida
Princess Merida of DunBroch is the eleventh princess of the Disney line-up. Her movie Brave was released in the year 2018. Scottish actress Kelly Macdonald lend her voice to the character of this Disney princess. Princess Merida who has an accent is the only Scottish member of the Disney Princess line-up.
Merida is the first Disney princess who doesn’t sing. This Disney princess is the only one with brothers. Brave was the first Pixar movie that was completely set up in the past. In addition to this, she is the only Pixar character that is also a Disney princess. She is the first princess who does not have a love interest.
12. Moana
One of our favorite Disney princesses is none other than Moana. Her film Moana directed by Ron Clements and John Musker was released in the year 2016. Hawaiian actress and singer Auliʻi Cravalh voiced the character of Moana in the Disney film. As a kid, the Disney princess is voiced by Louise Bush.
In the year 2019, Moana was officially inducted into the official lineup of Disney princesses. At that time, she became the twelfth Disney princess. You will get to see Moana again in the forthcoming Disney+ sequel series Moana: The Series, which is set to debut in 2024. The film Moana stole the hearts of Disney fans and it was appreciated for its animation, music, and vocal performances.
Is Raya from “Raya and the Last Dragon” a Disney princess?
In recent times, people have loved the Disney movie Raya and the Last Dragon which premiered on March 5, 2021. And, now the fans are pondering whether Raya is officially a Disney princess or not. Raya has a headstrong attitude, a caring nature, and a witty sense of humor. In the film, the character of Raya was voiced by Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker actress Kelly Marie Tran.
According to Yahoo, as per an August 19, 2022 Disney Parks blog post about World Princess Week, Raya has officially been inducted as a Disney princess. This fierce girl has got the crown that she totally deserves. Raya is the first southeast Asian princess in the history of Disney.
Who is your favorite Disney princess and why? Drop your thoughts on the same in the comments section below. Check this space for more updates about the world.
