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Despite having a pop culture presence since 1937, remembering the Seven Dwarfs names from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs sometimes feels like trying to remember what comes after 3.14 in pi. (Maybe a ROYGBIV acronym would help here… DGSBHSD? Maybe not, but at least we tried!)
But all hope isn’t lost, because we’re listing the names of the seven dwarfs in order, along with their photos, so you can tell who’s who. Plus, we’ll share interesting fun facts and trivia, like the names of the original seven dwarfs.
Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
You can’t talk seven dwarfs without talking Snow White. Disney’s first, and the first-ever, feature-length animated film tells the story of a young princess who finds refuge away from her wicked stepmother in a cottage in the woods, before eventually finding her happily ever after.
The cottage’s inhabitants were, of course, the seven dwarfs.
The bond between the dwarfs and Snow White is highlighted during the scene where the seven dwarfs chase the Evil Queen, in Wicked Witch form, after Snow White has been poisoned.
Inspiration from the Brothers Grimm
Snow White marks the beginning of a long legacy of Disney movies drawing inspiration from fairy tales. In fact, The Little Mermaid was another fairy tale inspiration for Walt—just imagine Ariel and her sisters through the lens of the 1930s.
The inspiration came from the Brothers Grimm 1812 German fairy tale Snow White. However, Walt’s inspiration appears to be even further removed from the original fairy tale.
Walt saw Snow White, the 1916 silent film, as a teenager and it had a lasting impression. When deciding what film to make for his first animated feature, Walt recalls the film he loved in his youth, saying, “I thought it was a perfect story.”
Walt may not have known it then, but his own sentimental attitude toward a childhood memory ended up being major player in the birth of a brand that would go on to become synonymous with nostalgia.
Seven Dwarfs Names
Walt Disney’s seven dwarfs are Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Bashful, Sneezy, and Dopey.
In the original fairy tale, they were not given names. In 1912, a Broadway play titled Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was the first to name them. They were called Blick, Flick, Glick, Snick, Plick, Whick, Quee.
Other Snow White adaptations exist with the dwarfs having different names. Like in the 1980s television series Faerie Tale Theatre where they are called Bertram, Bubba, Barnaby, Bernard, Boniface, Bruno, and Baldwin.
Doc
Doc is the de facto leader of the seven, with a wisdom that comes from years of keen observation—and it comes with confidence too, because Doc has a very determined spirit.
His status as the eldest, both in age and role, is a testament to the respect he has earned. Despite his wisdom, he often bumbles his words, which only serves to further endear him to others.
Personality Traits: Wise, Stubbornly Confident, Kind-Hearted
| Fun Fact | Quote |
| Doc is the only dwarf to wear glasses. | “Who’s butterin’ like a spoodledug!” |
Grumpy
Whether he’s your favorite or not, it’s hard to overlook Grumpy with his signature pout. An eternal pessimist, Grumpy is instantly recognizable by his sour disposition and reluctance to show any sign of joy.
In the movie, Grumpy’s character evolves from outright hostility towards Snow White’s “Mrs. Clean schtick” to becoming one of her most loyal protectors. Peel back the layers and you find a soft spot for the princess and, by extension, the audience.
Personality Traits: Easily Irritated, Tough to Win Over
| Fun Fact | Quote |
| Pinto Colvig voiced Grumpy and Sleepy. | “I’d like to see anybody make me wash, if I didn’t wanna!” |
Happy
The resident optimist, Happy is a refreshing contrast to Grumpy. With his bright eyes lined with lashes and an infectious grin, Happy mirrors the joyous spirit of singing “Heigh-Ho” each morning.
Happy’s cheerful outlook and unwavering happiness play an essential role in lightening the movie’s darker moments.
Personality Traits: Cheerful, Optimistic
| Fun Fact | Quote |
| A Wish easter egg has Hal’s character inspired by Happy. | “I’ll take a chance for her.” |
Sleepy
Sleepy needs no introduction beyond the heavy lids and an open mouth with a yawn at the ready. Fitting to his name, Sleepy is the dwarf always ready for a nap, and when he isn’t snoozing, he’s on the brink.
His readiness to drop it all for a nap have made him a fan favorite for those who appreciate a character with a laid back vibe!
Personality Traits: Relaxed, Tired
| Fun Fact | Quote |
| Sterling Holloway was considered for the role. | (After Snow White says he’s sleepy.) “How’d you guess?” |
Bashful
Bashful is the easily flustered dwarf who is painfully shy around Snow White and prone to blushing. His discomfort in any kind of spotlight has endeared him to audiences for decades.
Bashful is a hero for the introverts and those who nurture them!
Personality Traits: Sensitive, Romantic
| Fun Fact | Quote |
| Bashful developed from an idea for a dwarf named Baldy. | “She’s beautiful, just like an angel.” |
Sneezy
Sneezy needs no introduction. Because you probably won’t hear it over the “AHH-CHOO!” flying out of him.
Whether the sneezing fits are due to allergies or some dust accumulating in their cottage—Snow White’s first instinct was to clean the place after all—we hope Sneezy gets some sweet relief soon!
Personality Traits: Friendly, Playful
| Fun Fact | Quote |
| The only dwarf whose name references a physical trait. | “I couldn’t help it. I can’t tell. When you gotta, you gotta.” |
Dopey
Rounding out this gang is Dopey, perhaps the most iconic of the dwarfs for his childlike innocence and goofiness. He’s the only dwarf not to speak or sing in the original film.
With his oversized ears, adorable grin, and inclination for slapstick humor, Dopey is the heart of the group in many ways. His hijinx and physical comedy often steal scenes, making him an easy fan favorite.
Personality Traits: Naive, Sweet, Lovable
| Fun Fact | Quote |
| Dopey is the only dwarf without a beard. | “He is a little guy that hasn’t grown up.” —Perce Pearce |
Seven Dwarfs in Disney Movies and TV Shows
Beyond their debut in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the group has made various appearances across the Disney universe. Here’s just a few of the movies and TV shows where you can catch them in action.
7 Wise Dwarfs
The 1941 animated short made for the National Film Board of Canada was meant to promote war bonds to Canadians during World War II.
The 7D
The dwarfs of The 7D (2014-2016) television series will fail to visually resemble the ones you know from Snow White. The show acts as a prequel to the Snow White tale, and tells the dwarf’s own stories of adventure.
House of Mouse
The dwarfs show up at the House of Mouse (2001-2003), a television series about a cartoon theater dinner club attended by numerous Disney characters.
Seven Dwarfs Fun Facts and Trivia
1. Dopey, who is mute, was based on Harpo Marx’s comedic performances.
2. Some of the rejected names included Jumpy, Hotsy, Weezy, and Burpy. Imagine a dwarf named Burpy!
3. Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs received an honorary Academy Award in 1939. Walt Disney was presented with an Oscar that included the full-sized Oscar statuette alongside seven miniature ones, representing each of the dwarfs.
4. The film almost centered more around the seven dwarfs than it did Snow White. Some animated sequences prominently featuring the seven dwarfs were eventually cut from the film as the vision for the story was reworked.
5. A prequel titled The Seven Dwarfs was in the works in the 2000s. Ideas being floated either related to their origin story or one telling how Dopey lost his voice. The movie was scrapped when John Lasseter was named DisneyToon Studios’ new Chief Creative Officer.
