Historical characters

Teaching girls about history and who they want to be


Historical characters

Teaching girls about history and who they want to be

American Girl® is known for historical characters and their important stories from America’s past. Explore the captivating collection—18-inch dolls, their companion books, and clothing and accessories that bring their worlds to life.

American Girl® is known for historical characters and their important stories from America’s past. Explore the captivating collection—18-inch dolls, their companion books, and clothing and accessories that bring their worlds to life.

New arrivals

New arrivals

Image of Felicity Merriman in a long dress
Image of Felicity Merriman in a long dress
Felicity, 1774
Felicity, 1774

Chooses adventure over expectations

Shop Felicity's world

Melody, 1964

Image of Kaya standing outside
Image of Kaya standing outside
Kaya, 1764
Kaya, 1764

Respects the environment and protects the Earth

Shop Kaya's world

Kaya, 1764

Image of Kirsten Larson smiling and standing outside of her home
Image of Kirsten Larson smiling and standing outside of her home
Samantha, 1904
Samantha, 1904

Finds bravery and belonging far from home

Shop Kirsten's world

Kirsten, 1854.

Image of Kit Kittredge smiling and walking her dog on sidewalk
Image of Kit Kittredge smiling and walking her dog on sidewalk
Kit, 1934
Kit, 1934

Weathers hard times with hope and determination

Shop Kit's world

Kit, 1934

Image of Samantha Parkington smiling and leaning against a tree outside her home
Image of Samantha Parkington smiling and leaning against a tree outside her home
Samantha, 1904
Samantha, 1904

Shares her generosity to help others in need

Shop Samantha's world

Samantha, 1904. 

Image of Josefina Montoya smiling and standing outside of her home
Image of Josefina Montoya smiling and standing outside of her home
Samantha, 1904
Samantha, 1904

Learns that kindness really is the best medicine

Shop Josefina's world

Josefina, 1824

Image of Addy Walker smiling and walking outside her home
Image of Addy Walker smiling and walking outside her home
Samantha, 1904
Samantha, 1904

Shows great courage and a love of learning

Shop Addy's world

Addy, 1864

Image of Molly McIntire smiling and sitting down on stairs on side of brick house
Image of Molly McIntire smiling and sitting down on stairs on side of brick house
Molly, 1944
Molly, 1944

Shows what it means to put others first and lead

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Molly, 1944

Image of Courtney Moore smiling and playing at the arcade
Image of Courtney Moore smiling and playing at the arcade
Courtney, 1986
Courtney, 1986

Realizes that a hero needs to be brave and bold

Shop Courtney's world

Courtney, 1986

Image of Melody Ellison smiling and recording a song in a music studio
Image of Melody Ellison smiling and recording a song in a music studio
Melody, 1964
Melody, 1964

Lifts her voice for fairness and equality

Shop Melody's world

Melody, 1964

Image of Claudie Wells smiling and running through a field with a suitcase
Image of Claudie Wells smiling and running through a field with a suitcase
Claudie, 1922
Claudie, 1922

Finds the confidence to take risks and dream big

Shop Claudie's world

Claudie, 1922

Image of Nanea Mitchel smiling and holding a surfboard on the beach
Image of Nanea Mitchel smiling and holding a surfboard on the beach
Nanea, 1941
Nanea, 1941

Embraces her aloha spirit of helping

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Nanea, 1941

Image of Maryellen Larkin smiling and standing in a diner
Image of Maryellen Larkin smiling and standing in a diner
Maryellen, 1954
Maryellen, 1954

Champions self-expression and staying true to yourself

Shop Maryellen's world

Maryellen, 1954

Image of Julie Albright smiling and singing in her bedroom
Image of Julie Albright smiling and singing in her bedroom
Julie, 1974
Julie, 1974

Embraces change with determination and positivity

Shop Julie's world

Julie, 1974

Image of Rebecca Rubin smiling and lighting her menorah
Image of Rebecca Rubin smiling and lighting her menorah
Rebecca, 1914
Rebecca, 1914

Shines a spotlight on courage and compassion

Shop Rebecca's world

Rebecca, 1914

Image of Isabel and Nicki Hoffman smiling and singing in their bedroom
Image of Isabel and Nicki Hoffman smiling and singing in their bedroom
Isabel and Nicki, 1999
Isabel and Nicki, 1999

Twins who express their girl power and individuality

Shop Isabel & Nicki's world

Isabel and Nicki, 1999

My First collection

Plush dolls & board books to pass along your love of American Girl®

For ages 18m+

My First collection

Plush dolls & board books to pass along your love of American Girl®

For ages 18m+

New

Samantha, the next chapter front cover
Samantha, the next chapter front cover

Historical character books

Dive into stories featuring heroes throughout history


Historical character books

Dive into stories featuring heroes throughout history

Discover inspiration in every era

with the American Girl® Encyclopedia

Discover inspiration in every era

with the American Girl® Encyclopedia

 

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Historical Characters

American Girl® is famous for our historical characters—including, twins Isabel and Nicki Hoffman™ from 1999 and Claudie Wells™ from 1922! These 18-inch dolls explore important times in America’s past. Each of these dolls for ages 8 and up includes a world of imagination. From 1980s girl Courtney Moore™, featuring Courtney’s™ Bedroom Set, to 1970s girl Julie Albright™ and Julie’s™ Groovy Bathroom to 1960s girl Melody Ellison™ and Melody’s™ Recording Studio, the characters continue on down through the decades—including Nanea Mitchell™, Kit Kittredge™, Rebecca Rubin™, Kaya™, even Molly McIntire™ featuring Molly’s™ Birthday Bundle. In 2024, we brought back special-edition outfits and classic books with The American Girls Collection™— and now feature beloved characters Josefina Montoya™, Addy Walker™, Samantha Parkington™, and Kirsten Larson™ as well as fashion re-releases including Addy’s School Outfit & Book and Samantha’s Birthday Outfit & Book. Start your little one’s first collection with new plush toys and board books inspired by fan-favorite historical characters. My First Kirsten™ Doll, My First Samantha™ Doll, My First Addy™ Doll, My First Josefina™ Doll, and My First Molly™ Doll are perfect for ages 18m+.

Discover American Girl® historical characters, representing unique moments in U.S. history. Explore 18-inch dolls, books, and era-authentic outfits and accessories inspired by each character’s world.


What are American Girl historical characters?
American Girl historical characters are 18-inch dolls and accompanying fiction books that give a girl’s-eye view of important periods in U.S. history. Each character has outfits and accessories that bring her era and experiences to life.


How do historical characters help kids learn about history?
Our historical characters help girls understand the ways America has changed—and the ways it has stayed the same. Engaging stories, relatable characters, and era-authentic accessories help kids learn through play, making history feel personal and memorable.


Which time periods do American Girl historical dolls represent?
Our stories span from Kaya in 1764 to twins Isabel and Nicki in 1999. Historical moments highlighted in the books include women’s suffrage in Samantha's stories, the Harlem Renaissance in Claudie's, the change-filled 1970s in Julie's, and more.


Are the historical character dolls based on real people?
The characters are fictional, but their stories are inspired by actual historical events and themes to help kids learn what life was really like in different eras.


What age range are historical characters recommended for?
Historical characters and their books are created for ages 8 and up and are designed to be age-appropriate while addressing meaningful historical topics.