Do you know the origins of Santa’s reindeer names?
If not, then you’re in for a fun treat! In this blog post, we will take a look at the history behind Rudolph and his crew.
We will also discuss how their names have evolved.
So, without further ado, let’s get started!
In 1823, the first edition of ‘A Visit from Saint Nicholas’ dubbed ‘The Night Before Christmas’ introduced Santa’s original eight reindeer. In the poem, the final two reindeer names are Dunder and Blixem, which in Dutch mean “thunder and lightning.”
The names were altered to Donder and Blitzen in Clement Clark Moore’s 1844 publication of the poem.
Rudolph was introduced in 1939, and the song “Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer” was released in 1949. Donner and Blitzen (German for ‘Thunder and Lightning’) have been used to refer to the two reindeer since then.
In modern times, this is now the most frequent referral to the original 8 reindeer names. Rudolph was added to the initial 8 only over a century later.
List of Reindeer Names
In modern times, Santa is recognized as having 9 reindeer:
- Dasher
- Dancer
- Prancer
- Vixen
- Comet
- Cupid
- Donner/Donder/Dunder
- Blitzen/Blixem
- Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
It’s been claimed in recent years that all of the reindeer must be female because the males’ antlers fall off during the winter. Any reindeer with its antlers at Christmas is almost certainly a girl.
What other reindeer has Santa had?
Many songs, movies, and television series have joined in the reindeer games over the years by introducing new members to the sleigh-pulling team.
Sesame Street introduced a young reindeer trainee named Lightning, while Winnie the Pooh provided Vixen with a spouse called Frosty and a daughter known as Hollie.
Rudolph has had several sons and brothers throughout the years, including Robbie and Rustie, as well as a rival named Scratcher. He’s also dated Clarice and had an obnoxious neighbor named Stache.
In the South Park Christmas special, a new set of reindeer known as Steven, Fluffy, Horace, Chantel, Skippy, Rainbow, Patches, and Montel takes the place of Santa’s reindeer crew.