America's Favorite Disney Princesses Are Actually Not That Popular Among Adults

Raya is a warrior princess who embarks on a quest to find the last dragon. She hopes to restore the dragon gem and bring back her father, while also eliminating the evil spirits from her homeland, Kumandra. She embodies courage, trust, and determination.

The first African-American princess created by Disney, Tiana is a hard-working waitress in 1920s New Orleans – based partially on the legendary real-life chef-restaurateur Leah Chase – who aspires to open her own restaurant, a dream she inherited from her late father. After a magical twist of fate, she kisses a prince turned frog, becoming a frog herself and embarking on a journey to regain her humanity and realize her goal.

Princess Aurora is cursed by the evil fairy, Maleficent, to die from the prick of a needle on a spinning wheel. However, Aurora’s life is saved by three good fairies who alter the curse, causing her to fall into a deep sleep that can only be broken by true love’s kiss.

In the film that launched Disney’s Frozen franchise, Princess Anna is a brave and determined character. After her sister Elsa, who possesses icy powers, accidentally traps their kingdom in eternal winter, Anna embarks on a mission to find her. She allies with an iceman, his reindeer, and a snowman in this adventurous journey.

In this animated Disney/Pixar collaboration, the flame-haired female character, Princess Merida of Dunbroch, lives in the historic Scottish Highlands where she defies local custom by refusing to be betrothed. When her mother turns into a bear, Merida – Disney’s first movie princess created by Pixar – must save her kingdom.

Rapunzel is a lost princess with magical long blonde hair, who dreams of freedom from her secluded tower. Her hair, gifted with healing properties, was the reason she was kidnapped and isolated by an old woman named Mother Gothel. Rapunzel eventually accepts the aid of an intruder in order to explore the world she has never seen.

Princess Jasmine is a character yearning for freedom from her sheltered palace life. She dreams of succeeding her father as Sultan, a role traditionally reserved for men. Despite societal expectations that she will marry a royal suitor, Jasmine’s heart belongs to Aladdin, a street urchin she met in the fictional land of Agrabah.

Moana is a strong-willed young woman, the daughter of a Polynesian village chief. Chosen by the ocean itself, Moana embarks on a daring adventure to save her people from a blight by returning a mystical relic to the goddess Te Fiti. She seeks the help of Maui, a legendary demigod.

Elsa is the elder sister of Princess Anna and has the magical ability to create and control ice and snow. After inadvertently injuring Anna with her powers, Elsa isolates herself, growing up with the fear of her abilities. Despite her fear, she is crowned queen at 21 – without first becoming a princess, some observers have pointed out – but her powers are accidentally revealed, causing her to flee and unintentionally trap her kingdom in eternal winter.

Pocahontas, as seen in the 1995 Disney animated film of that name, is a free-spirited Powhatan woman who encounters English settlers. The film romanticizes her relationship with John Smith, portraying her as his savior. Their secret love story unfolds amidst tensions between the indigenous tribe and the settlers. Pocahontas is depicted as a brave, empowered heroine striving for peace.

Hua Mulan, as seen in a 1998 animated feature, a 2004 direct-to-video animated sequel, and a 2020 live-action adaptation – all based on the Chinese folklore story “Ballad of Mulan” – is the eldest daughter of an honored warrior. She impersonates a man to take her ailing father’s place during a general conscription against the Rouran army in Imperial China.

Ariel is a mermaid princess fascinated by the human world. Despite her father’s prohibition, she rescues the human Prince Eric from a shipwreck, falling in love with him. She strikes a dangerous deal with sea witch Ursula, trading her voice for human legs to pursue her love before time runs out.

Belle is the book-loving daughter of a widowed artist named Maurice. She dreams of adventure and rejects the advances of Gaston, an arrogant hunter. After her father is imprisoned by the Beast, Belle bravely takes his place. She befriends the castle’s enchanted servants and eventually learns to see the Beast’s inner kindness.

Snow White is a princess forced to become a scullery maid by her jealous stepmother, the Queen. When the Magic Mirror declares Snow White as the most beautiful in the land, the Queen orders her killed. Escaping this fate, Snow White befriends woodland animals and seven dwarfs. Her peaceful life is threatened when the Queen discovers she’s alive and crafts a poisoned apple to finish her, but it only puts her into a year-long sleep, from which she is awakened by the kiss of a handsome prince.

Cinderella, in the 1950 Disney animated film, is a kind-hearted young woman put to work as a servant by her jealous stepmother, Lady Tremaine, and her stepsisters after her father’s death. Despite her hardships, she remains kind, befriending animals in her château. Her life changes when her Fairy Godmother helps her attend a royal ball, where she meets the Prince – whom she eventually marries.