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As a child, you likely spent countless hours watching iconic cartoon figures like Mickey, Tweety, and Betty Boop. However, if fate had taken a different turn, your weekend mornings might have been filled with characters named Mortimer, Orson, and Nan. Discover the original names of 10 classic cartoon personalities you know and love.
1. Tweety Bird’s Original Name Was Orson
In a 1942 animated short, Tweety Bird cleverly outsmarted a humorous cat duo known as Babbit and Catstello. While the character wasn’t officially named in the cartoon, the production team referred to him as “Orson” on their model sheets. It wasn’t until his next appearance in “Birdy and the Beast” that Tweety was given the name we recognize today.
2. Mickey Mouse’s Original Name Was Mortimer
Walt Disney initially intended to name his iconic character “Mortimer,” but his wife Lillian stepped in. She believed Mortimer wasn’t the right fit and proposed the more approachable name “Mickey.” Later, Disney introduced a character named Mortimer Mouse as a competitor for Minnie’s attention.
3. Pluto Was Originally Called Rover
In his earliest appearances, Pluto wasn’t Mickey’s dog but Minnie’s, and he went by the name Rover. Walt Disney felt “Rover” lacked uniqueness and explored alternatives like Pal and Homer before choosing a more memorable name. Pluto made his debut under this new name in a cartoon released in October 1930, shortly after the planet Pluto was discovered on February 18, 1930.
4. Goofy’s Original Name Was Dippy Dawg
When Goofy first appeared in the 1932 cartoon “Mickey’s Revue,” he sported a beard and glasses and was known as “Dippy Dawg.” By the time “Orphan’s Benefit” was released in 1934, he had adopted the name we recognize today. In the 1950s, a version of Goofy also went by the name “George Geef.
5. Elmer Fudd Was Originally Egghead
There’s debate over whether Egghead was the original name of the bumbling hunter or a separate character altogether. Egghead, featuring a large head and dressed in khaki hunting attire, made his debut in Tex Avery’s 1937 cartoon “Egghead Rides Again.” After appearing in several shorts under that name, a more polished version emerged in the 1940 cartoon “Elmer’s Candid Camera.” Watch an Egghead cartoon and decide for yourself.
6. Betty Boop’s Original Names Were Nancy Lee or Nan McGrew
Before becoming a star, Betty Boop often played a supporting role in Fleischer Studios cartoons under the names Nancy Lee or Nan McGrew. She was also initially depicted as a poodle. Over time, her floppy ears transformed into hoop earrings, and she was given a button nose.
7. Mighty Mouse Was Originally Super Mouse
The tiny superhero first appeared in seven shorts titled “Super Mouse, the Mouse of Tomorrow,” dressed in colors reminiscent of Superman. However, the name change wasn’t due to similarities with Kal-El but rather the introduction of another character named “Super Mouse” in Coo Coo Comics. To avoid confusion, Terrytoons opted to rename their character “Mighty Mouse.”
8. Yosemite Sam Had at Least Three Other Possible Names
The creators of Yosemite Sam wanted a name that reflected his wild Western persona. They considered options like “Wyoming Willie,” “Texas Tiny,” and “Denver Dan” before settling on the now-iconic name Yosemite Sam.
9 and 10. Tom and Jerry Were Initially Jasper and Jinx
In their debut cartoon “Puss Gets the Boot,” the iconic cat and mouse pair were introduced as Jasper and Jinx, though only Jasper was explicitly named. William Hanna and Joe Barbera felt the names lacked appeal, so they experimented with alternatives until one of them (Hanna can’t recall who) suggested Tom and Jerry. Before finalizing the change, they ensured there were no legal conflicts, especially since a holiday cocktail also bears the same name.
