Barbie dolls have been an iconic pop culture fixture for decades now. Both kids and adults have been dazzled by Barbie's amazing colourful world ever since it was launched in the USA in 1959.
Discover our latest podcast
Barbie dolls have been so influential that the most expensive Barbie in the world is worth crazy amount of money. Not just that, people have also tried to transform themselves into 'human Barbie,' emulating the doll's iconic styles.
This summer, Barbie fever has reached a crescendo as Barbie movie hits movie theatres this month, and is projected to be one of the biggest hits of this year. AirBnB even rented out Barbie and Ken's dream home for eye-watering price on the occasion.
But turns out that many people are still not aware of the fact that Barbie is just a short form for the doll's full name. Here's what her name actually is.
History of Barbie Dolls
Barbie was introduced by the company Mattel. The brainchild behind her was Ruth Handler, who worked for Mattel at that time. As per USA Today, inspiration for the doll struck Handler when she watched her little daughter playing with dolls that resembled an adult woman.
This gave Handler the idea of developing toys which were different from the childish baby toys in the market, and have toys modelled after adult women. The grounds-work for Barbie was thus laid, and eventually the doll was launched in New York City, becoming one of the most well-known dolls in the world.
Adult Barbie dolls let little kids project themselves in various professional roles in the future, rather than limiting their role-playing to motherhood.
Read more:
⋙ Man spends £2,500 on life-size doll of wife who died
⋙ McDonald's: There are the most popular Happy Meal toys of all time, including one worth $450
The real name of Barbie
Over the decades, Barbie dolls have come in innumerable avatars, donning various occupations from astronauts to doctors, and getting dressed to match each persona it portrayed. But people still don't realise that Barbie is a short-form of her real name.
Barbie was actually named after Ruth and Eliot Handler's daughter Barbara, who inspired its creation. Officially Barbie's full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts.
One fan on Twitter quipped about this revelation saying,
is barbie's real name barbara or what? imagine playing with a barbara doll
Another fan responded informing,
Barbara Millicent Roberts is her government name according to Mattel
Another shocked fan Tweeted,
Um is barbie's real name barbara???????
Did you know Barbie's real name? Or are just as surprised to find out the fact.
Read more:
⋙ People shocked to find out what IKEA actually stands for
Sources used:
USA Today: 'Who created Barbie? Get to know the history, facts of the iconic doll's origins'
