The Greatest Female Characters In Literature, Ranked

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Updated December 15, 2024 1.0M views 180 items
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Vote up the most unforgettable women and girls in books, plays, poetry, etc. Please, no comic book characters.

Some of the greatest characters in literature are women and girls, but which ones are the very best? From the evil to the undeniably perfect, the always strong to those who those who never give up, these are the greatest female characters from literature of all genres. This list includes the best female characters of all ages, like the youthful girls Matilda (Matilda) and Hermione Granger (Harry Potter) to the ever-so-adult Evelyn Couch (Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe). We're even ranking immortal female characters, like Galadriel from Lord of the Rings and the goddess Athena you read about in Greek mythology.

Why do female literary characters stay with readers long after they’ve finished reading the novels these characters are featured in? Often, it’s due to the intimacy with which readers have come to know a character. Jane Eyre (and all of her desires and feelings), for example, becomes so real to readers that they feel as if they’ve met and understood this amazing female character. So many people relate to fiery, independent Jo March that her marriage at the end of Little Women feels like a betrayal - something the 2019 film adaptation addresses head-on.

Other times, readers love female characters in literature because of the audacity of their actions. Scarlett O’Hara (Gone with the Wind) was exceedingly bold for a woman of her time, while Madame Defarge (A Tale of Two Cities) is an exemplar of tireless villainy. Some of the most popular female literary characters manage to embody both wholesome and defiant, becoming reflections of the complex nature of women. From inspirational feminist heroes to strong women from fantasy series, the greatest fictional women from literature also make great role models. 

For the wide range of personality traits we find in these great female characters (and the audacious actions they’ve performed), these women have earned their titles as the best female characters in literature. They may be young or old, charming or black-hearted, but they are all memorable. Whether you love them or love to hate them, all the famous fictional heroines are here in this list of the best female characters in literary history. 

Most divisive: Tess Durbeyfield
Over 25.1K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of Women & Girls in Literature
  • Professor Minerva McGonagall
    1
    Harry Potter Series
    6,279 votes

    Professor Minerva McGonagall, the stern yet deeply caring Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, was created by J.K. Rowling and first introduced in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in 1997. As a central character throughout the Harry Potter series, McGonagall is respected for her potent magical skills, unwavering moral compass, and a penchant for transforming into her Animagus form—a Scottish Fold cat.

    Considered one of the top literary characters, McGonagall's complexity lies in her fusion of formidable authority with compassionate guidance. She is a paragon of feminist strength, intelligence, and dignity, depicting the multifaceted nature of womanhood. Her character is inspirational, capturing the essence of a mentor who students both fear and admire, and whose influence extends far beyond the walls of the classroom, leaving an indelible mark on the legacies of her pupils and readers alike.

  • Anne Shirley
    2
    Anne of Green Gables
    3,756 votes

    Anne Shirley, the spirited and imaginative orphan, captured hearts upon her introduction in Lucy Maud Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables, first published in 1908. With her fiery red hair, penchant for getting into scrapes, and an ever-romantic outlook on life, Anne's adventures in the pastoral setting of Prince Edward Island have enthralled readers for over a century.

    Anne's lasting appeal as one of the top literary characters lies in her unwavering optimism and resilience. Despite a difficult start in life, she uses her vivacious imagination and intelligence to overcome obstacles and touch the lives of those around her. Anne's zeal for love, learning, and life itself, coupled with her evolution from a wide-eyed dreamer to a strong, independent young woman, has inspired generations of readers to embrace their individuality and look for the kindred spirits in all of us.

  • Luna Lovegood
    3
    Harry Potter Series
    6,508 votes

    Luna Lovegood, known for her dreamy disposition and unwavering kindness, drifted into the Harry Potter universe in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, published in 2003 by J.K. Rowling. As a member of Dumbledore's Army, Luna stood out with her unique perspective on the world, demonstrating an unruffled acceptance of the unusual and an often surprising depth of understanding in the face of adversity.

    Luna's distinct place among the top literary characters comes from her authenticity and the unapologetic embrace of her individuality. She represents the idea that being different is a strength, not a weakness, challenging conventional norms with her ethereal wisdom. Luna's ability to see beyond the surface, metaphorically and literally with her Spectrespecs, provides a refreshing take on loyalty, friendship, and bravery, and encourages readers to value the beauty in what's often unseen or misunderstood.

  • Matilda
    4
    Matilda
    4,815 votes

    Matilda Wormwood, the extraordinarily intelligent and telekinetic protagonist, sprung from the pages of Roald Dahl's eponymous novel, Matilda, in 1988. Despite being born into a dismissive and crude family, Matilda cultivates her own love for learning and books, ultimately discovering her own mental powers which set her apart from her surroundings and allow her to change her destiny.

    Regarded as one of the top literary characters, Matilda's genius and strength inspire readers, particularly young girls, to embrace their intellect and stand up against injustice. Her character is a celebration of wit, resourcefulness, and the transformative power of education. In a world that often underestimates children, Matilda defies expectations by wielding her abilities to create a better life for herself and her beloved teacher, Miss Honey, symbolizing hope and the idea that anyone can make a significant impact, no matter their age.

  • Jo March
    5
    Little Women
    4,917 votes

    Jo March, the fiercely independent and aspiring writer, sprang from the pages of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, first published in 1868. The second eldest of the March sisters, Jo is celebrated for her tomboyish qualities, her rejection of societal norms for women of the era, and her passionate devotion to her family and her literary pursuits.

    Considered one of the top literary characters of all time, Jo March stands as a timeless embodiment of the struggle for personal identity and autonomy. Her character breaks the mold of traditional femininity, showcasing an unyielding determination to forge her own path—an inspiration for countless readers. Jo's ambition, coupled with her human flaws and growth, has cemented her as an iconic figure in literature, one who reflects the ever-relevant quest for gender equality and the courage to be true to oneself.

  • Hermione Granger
    6
    Harry Potter Series
    10,400 votes

    Hermione Granger, introduced as the bright and bookish Muggle-born witch in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in 1997, swiftly establishes herself as an integral member of the trio including Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. Known for her encyclopedic knowledge, quick-witted problem-solving, and fierce advocacy for justice, Hermione navigates the challenges of the wizarding world with a blend of intellect and courage.

    Regarded as one of the top literary characters of all time, Hermione has become a cultural icon for intelligence, strength, and gender equality. Her character gives a voice to young girls everywhere, showing that it's not only okay to be smart—it's actually a superpower. Her relentless pursuit of knowledge and unwavering moral compass have inspired a generation to value education and stand up for their beliefs, making Hermione Granger a fictional trailblazer who continues to influence and empower long after the last page is turned.

  • Mary Poppins
    7
    Mary Poppins Series
    4,298 votes

    Mary Poppins, the enchanting and mysterious nanny, floated into the literary world with her trusty parrot-head umbrella in P.L. Travers' series, first introduced in 1934. This seemingly prim and proper governess quickly reveals her magical touch, turning the mundane into the extraordinary for the Banks children, Jane and Michael, through her adventures that blend fantasy with life lessons amidst Edwardian London.

    Esteemed as one of the top literary characters, Mary Poppins is a figure of both whimsy and wisdom. Her combination of no-nonsense attitude and delightful magic teaches the importance of imagination, manners, and empathy, captivating readers and influencing how generations regard childcare and education. Mary's enduring legacy is her ability to address the needs of both children and adults, reminding us all that personal growth can come with a spoonful of sugar and a touch of enchantment.

  • Elizabeth Bennet
    8
    Pride and Prejudice
    7,221 votes

    Elizabeth Bennet, the keen-witted and spirited second daughter of the Bennet family, comes to life in Jane Austen's classic novel Pride and Prejudice, first published in 1813. Renowned for her sharp tongue and readiness to challenge social conventions, Elizabeth stands out among her peers with her desire for authentic personal connections over advantageous marriage proposals, navigating the complexities of class and romance in early 19th century England.

    As one of the top literary characters, Elizabeth Bennet signifies much more than a mere romantic heroine; she embodies the timeless struggle for female autonomy and repudiation of societal pressures. Her intelligence, wit, and moral integrity allow her to hold her own in a male-dominated society, creating a character whose relevance persists. Elizabeth's combination of self-respect, empathy, and fallibility has made her an enduring, beloved figure in literature and a standard-bearer for strong, independent women in fiction.

  • Lucy Pevensie
    9
    The Chronicles of Narnia
    3,288 votes

    Lucy Pevensie, the youngest of the Pevensie siblings, stepped through the wardrobe and into literary history in C.S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, first published in 1950. With a pure heart and a courageous spirit, Lucy's discovery of the magical land of Narnia sets the stage for the classic fantasy series, The Chronicles of Narnia. Her childlike wonder and intrinsic goodness guide many pivotal moments throughout the saga.

    As one of the top literary characters, Lucy symbolizes the innocence and faith that oftentimes wane with age. Her readiness to believe in the goodness of the world, combined with her propensity for kindness and bravery, resonate with readers as she grows from a wide-eyed girl into a wise, respected queen of Narnia. Lucy's character stands as a beacon for the belief in magic and the transformative power of virtue, inspiring readers to hold fast to the hope and enchantment of childhood.

  • Molly Weasley
    10
    Harry Potter Series
    3,578 votes

    Molly Weasley, the matriarch of the Weasley clan, stepped onto the magical stage in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, released in 1997 by J.K. Rowling. Known for her fierce loyalty, warmth, and propensity to knit homemade Christmas sweaters, Molly quickly became the mother figure not just to her own brood but to Harry Potter himself, offering him the family connection he'd been missing.

    Molly Weasley's standing as one of the top literary characters is anchored in her depiction as the archetypal mother with a warrior's spirit. Her blend of domesticity and badassery, exemplified famously in the climactic battle of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, resonates with readers as she fiercely protects her children and stands as an equal in battle. Her character transcends typical supporting roles, depicting the power of maternal love and the strength in every woman that can be as nurturing as it is formidable.

  • Athena
    11
    Odysseus: Voyage to the Underworld
    3,229 votes

    Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, courage, and warfare, is a deity who predates the written word, with her stories passed down through oral tradition and later immortalized in texts by ancient authors such as Homer and Hesiod. Identified by her armor and owl, Athena arose, fully grown and clad in battle gear, from the head of Zeus, reflecting her role as a deity of intellect and strategic warfare, and has been a focal figure in Greek mythology since at least the 7th century BCE.

    As one of the top literary characters inherited from mythology, Athena's legacy lies in her multifaceted nature: a warrior goddess who champions reason, strategic prowess, and the arts. Her influence extends far beyond the ancient texts, as she epitomizes the balance of power and intelligence, with an enduring cultural impact that has shaped representations of strong, strategic women in literature throughout the centuries. Athena's persona stands as a symbol of feminist strength, inspiring the valorization of wisdom and justice in feminine archetypes.

  • Annabeth Chase
    12
    Percy Jackson & the Olympians
    3,194 votes

    Annabeth Chase, the sharp-witted and courageous daughter of Athena, first showcased her strategic mind and combat prowess in Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson & the Olympians series, beginning with The Lightning Thief in 2005. As a demigod navigating a life intertwined with Greek mythology, her character's resilience and intellectual acumen are as integral to her adventures as her friendships and romantic entanglements with fellow demigods.

    As a standout among top literary characters, Annabeth Chase resonates deeply with readers for her complex portrayal as both a fierce warrior and a vulnerable young woman. Her commitment to her ideals and her constant pursuit of knowledge, combined with her ability to navigate an often-treacherous world, make her a role model for perseverance and ingenuity. Annabeth's multidimensional nature reflects the balance of brains and brawn, positioning her as a heroine who is not only respected for her strength but also beloved for her relatability and growth throughout the series.

  • Nancy Drew
    13
    Nancy Drew Series
    2,741 votes

    Nancy Drew, the iconic teenage sleuth, first cracked the case in 1930 with the publication of The Secret of the Old Clock, the initial volume in the detective series created by publisher Edward Stratemeyer and penned by a number of ghostwriters under the collective pseudonym Carolyn Keene. Fearless, intelligent, and resourceful, Nancy Drew's knack for solving mysteries and her trail-blazing independence captured the imaginations of young readers at a time when such qualities were often reserved for male characters.

    Nancy Drew's distinction as one of the top literary characters is anchored in her role as a trailblazer for generations of young girls. She is consistently depicted as a paragon of the empowered, self-sufficient female—qualities that resonated with and inspired her audience, challenging gender norms and providing a role model for assertiveness and intellect. Nancy's legacy lives on as she continues to evolve and adapt to the changing cultural landscape while maintaining her fundamental character of courage and determination, solidifying her status as a beloved fixture in the pantheon of literary heroines.

  • Katniss Everdeen
    14
    The Hunger Games
    6,252 votes

    Katniss Everdeen is a resilient and skilled archer who becomes the symbol of rebellion against an oppressive regime in Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games trilogy. With her fierce determination to protect those she loves and fight for justice, Katniss inspires hope in the face of adversity. Her strength, resilience, and unwavering spirit make Katniss a beloved character among fans.

  • Scout Finch
    15
    To Kill a Mockingbird
    4,425 votes

    Scout Finch, the perceptive and forthright young narrator of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, first graced the pages of literature in 1960. Growing up in the racially charged atmosphere of the Depression-era American South, Scout, formally known as Jean Louise Finch, navigates her childhood with curiosity and an inherent sense of justice, shaped by the guiding influence of her father, Atticus Finch.

    Esteemed as one of the top literary characters, Scout's remarkable perspective as an innocent yet incisive observer of her small town's complex social dynamics renders her story timeless. Her experiences and the transformation from innocence to a deeper understanding of human nature speak profoundly about morality, empathy, and the loss of innocence. Scout's character challenges readers to view their world through the eyes of a child who confronts the harsh realities of prejudice and learns the importance of standing up for what is right, making her an enduring symbol of integrity and growth.

  • Artemis
    16
    Greek Mythology
    2,631 votes

    Artemis, the ancient Greek goddess of the hunt, wilderness, and chastity, is a figure of profound antiquity, her stories and worship dating back to pre-Hellenic cultures and chronicled in the works of classical writers such as Homer and Ovid. Recognizable by her bow and accompanied by a cohort of nymphs and hunting dogs, Artemis is celebrated for her indomitable spirit and fierce autonomy, as well as her protective role over women and children.

    As one of the top literary characters derived from mythology, Artemis represents a paradigm of independence, strength, and complex femininity. She defies traditional gender roles, exhibiting dominion over nature and a resolve to remain untamed and sovereign. Artemis's stoic character and dedication to her principles have made her a timeless symbol of empowerment, echoing through the ages as an archetype of female wilderness, agency, and the enigmatic facets of womanhood that transcend the passage of time.

  • Éowyn
    17
    The Lord of the Rings
    4,615 votes

    Éowyn is a courageous shieldmaiden who defies societal expectations to fight alongside the men in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. With her determination to prove herself and protect her people, Éowyn showcases bravery and resilience. Her unwavering loyalty, inner strength, and pivotal role in the War of the Ring make Éowyn an unforgettable character.

  • Alice
    18
    Alice in Wonderland
    5,033 votes

    Alice is an imaginative young girl who falls down a rabbit hole into a whimsical world filled with peculiar characters in Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. With her curiosity and ability to adapt to absurd situations, Alice navigates Wonderland with both wonderment and logic. Her journey through a topsy-turvy world captivates readers of all ages.

  • Jane Eyre
    19
    Jane Eyre
    4,474 votes

    Jane Eyre is a strong-willed and independent woman who overcomes adversity to find love and self-acceptance in Charlotte Brontë's classic novel. Through Jane's journey from a mistreated orphan to a confident woman, readers witness her resilience, intelligence, and unwavering moral compass. Jane's pursuit of happiness on her own terms makes her an enduring literary figure.

  • Arya Stark
    20
    A Song of Ice and Fire
    4,421 votes

    Arya Stark is a fierce and resilient young girl who defies gender roles in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. With her relentless pursuit of justice and survival skills honed through hardship, Arya becomes a force to be reckoned with. Her determination, resourcefulness, and transformation into a skilled assassin make Arya a fan-favorite character.

  • Violet Baudelaire
    21

    Violet Baudelaire

    Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
    1,490 votes

    Violet Baudelaire is an intelligent and inventive young girl who uses her exceptional problem-solving skills to protect herself and her siblings in Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events. With her talent for inventing contraptions out of everyday objects, Violet showcases resourcefulness beyond her years. Her resilience, creativity, and loyalty make Violet a beloved character.

  • Dorothy Gale
    22
    The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
    3,083 votes

    Dorothy Gale is a courageous young girl from Kansas who embarks on a fantastical journey in L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. With her unwavering determination to return home while facing various challenges along the way, Dorothy proves herself as a resilient heroine. Her kindness, bravery, and sense of adventure make Dorothy an iconic character loved by readers of all ages.

  • Arwen
    23
    The Lord of the Rings
    2,709 votes

    Arwen is an ethereal elven princess whose love story with Aragorn adds depth and romance to J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. With her grace, beauty, and selflessness, Arwen embodies the timeless allure of elvenkind. Her unwavering devotion to her love and willingness to sacrifice for the greater good make Arwen a beloved character among readers.

  • Ginny Weasley
    24
    Harry Potter Series
    3,627 votes

    Ginny Weasley is a spirited and determined young witch whose fiery personality captures the hearts of Harry Potter fans. Despite growing up in the shadow of her brothers, Ginny proves herself as a talented Quidditch player and fierce ally during the battle against Voldemort. Her courage, loyalty, and unwavering love for those she cares about make Ginny an adored character.

  • Freya
    25

    Freya

    Norse Mythology
    1,934 votes

    Freya is a powerful goddess associated with love, beauty, and fertility in Norse mythology. With her enchanting presence and ability to bring joy and harmony, Freya is revered as a symbol of femininity and strength. Her grace, wisdom, and compassion make Freya an iconic character celebrated by fans of mythology.

  • Galadriel
    26
    The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings
    3,019 votes

    Galadriel is a wise and powerful elven queen in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium. With her ethereal beauty, mystical abilities, and profound wisdom, Galadriel commands respect and admiration from those around her. Her guidance, foresight, and pivotal role in the War of the Ring make Galadriel an unforgettable character.

  • Brienne of Tarth
    27
    A Song of Ice and Fire
    1,555 votes

    Brienne of Tarth is a skilled warrior who defies societal expectations in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. With her unwavering loyalty, exceptional swordsmanship, and determination to prove herself in a male-dominated world, Brienne becomes a symbol of strength and honor. Her resilience, courage, and commitment to her beliefs make Brienne a fan-favorite character.

  • Elphaba
    28

    Elphaba

    Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
    1,716 votes
     

    Elphaba is a complex and misunderstood character who defies societal expectations in Gregory Maguire's Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. With her green skin and magical abilities, Elphaba challenges prejudice and fights for justice in the land of Oz. Her courage, intelligence, and determination to do what is right make Elphaba an intriguing protagonist.

  • Daenerys Targaryen
    29
    A Song of Ice and Fire
    3,860 votes
     

    Daenerys Targaryen is a determined and ambitious queen who rises from exile to claim her birthright in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. With her dragons by her side, Daenerys strives to create a better world while facing numerous challenges along the way. Her unwavering determination, compassion for the oppressed, and quest for justice make Daenerys an intriguing character.

     
  • Laura Ingalls
    30
    Little House on the Prairie
    2,290 votes

    Laura Ingalls is a spirited young girl whose experiences growing up on the American frontier are chronicled in Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House series. With her curiosity, love for nature, and strong family values, Laura navigates the challenges of pioneer life with determination and optimism. Her resilience, adventurous spirit, and love for her family make Laura an enduring literary figure.

  • Mary Lennox
    31
    The Secret Garden
    1,500 votes

    Mary Lennox is a spoiled and neglected young girl who discovers the transformative power of nature in Frances Hodgson Burnett's The Secret Garden. With her journey from bitterness to self-discovery through tending to the garden, Mary learns the importance of connection and healing. Her growth, resilience, and newfound appreciation for life make Mary an endearing character.

  • Elinor Dashwood
    32

    Elinor Dashwood

    Sense and Sensibility
    1,751 votes

    Elinor Dashwood is a sensible and level-headed young woman who navigates the complexities of love and societal expectations in Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility. With her practicality and self-restraint contrasting with her sister Marianne's romanticism, Elinor serves as a voice of reason throughout the novel. Her loyalty, resilience, and ability to find balance make Elinor an endearing character.

  • Clarice Starling
    33
    Silence of the Lambs
    1,616 votes

    Clarice Starling is an intelligent and determined FBI trainee who becomes entangled in a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse with serial killer Hannibal Lecter in Thomas Harris' The Silence of the Lambs. With her sharp mind and tenacity to bring justice to victims, Clarice proves herself as a formidable protagonist. Her courage, resilience, and unwavering pursuit of truth make Clarice an iconic character.

  • Buffy Summers
    34
    Buffy the Vampire Slayer
    1,603 votes

    Buffy Summers is a fearless vampire slayer chosen to protect the world from supernatural threats in Joss Whedon's television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. With her strength, wit, and determination to save lives, Buffy battles evil forces while navigating the complexities of teenage life. Her resilience, courage, and unwavering commitment to her calling make Buffy an iconic character.

  • Liesel Meminger
    35

    Liesel Meminger

    The Book Thief
    1,619 votes

    Liesel Meminger is a resilient young girl who finds solace in books during World War II in Markus Zusak's The Book Thief. With her love for literature and determination to defy Nazi oppression, Liesel's story serves as a testament to the power of words and human resilience. Her courage, compassion, and unwavering spirit make Liesel an unforgettable character.

  • Minny Jackson
    36
    The Help
    1,168 votes

    Minny Jackson is a resilient African-American maid who fearlessly speaks her mind during the Civil Rights era in Kathryn Stockett's The Help. With her sharp wit, outspoken nature, and culinary talents, Minny becomes a symbol of strength and defiance against racial discrimination. Her courage, resilience, and unwavering determination make Minny an unforgettable character.

  • Rapunzel
    37

    Rapunzel

    Rapunzel
    1,706 votes

    Rapunzel is a spirited young princess known for her long magical hair in the Brothers Grimm fairy tale. With her innocence, bravery, and resourcefulness, Rapunzel overcomes adversity while longing for freedom beyond the confines of her tower. Her journey towards self-discovery and finding true love captivates readers of all ages.

  • Aphrodite
    38

    Aphrodite

    1,820 votes
     
    Aphrodite is the goddess of love and beauty in Greek mythology, known for her irresistible charm and enchanting presence. With her ability to inspire desire and passion in others, Aphrodite embodies femininity at its most captivating. Her allure, grace, and influence over matters of the heart make Aphrodite an iconic character celebrated by fans of mythology.
  • Pippi Longstocking
    39
    Pippi Longstocking
    2,364 votes

    Pippi Longstocking is an unconventional and free-spirited young girl with superhuman strength in Astrid Lindgren's beloved children's book series. With her red pigtails, mismatched stockings, and wild imagination, Pippi embarks on whimsical adventures while challenging authority figures along the way. Her independence, fearlessness, and zest for life make Pippi an iconic character adored by readers.

  • Miss Marple
    40

    Miss Marple

    Miss Marple Novels
    1,244 votes

    Miss Marple is a shrewd and observant amateur detective created by Agatha Christie. With her sharp intellect and keen eye for detail, Miss Marple solves perplexing mysteries that baffle the police. Her wisdom, intuition, and ability to see beyond appearances make Miss Marple a beloved character among fans of crime fiction.

  • Madeline
    41

    Madeline

    Madeline
    1,413 votes

    Madeline is a fearless little girl with a mischievous spirit in Ludwig Bemelmans' beloved children's book series. With her red hair, plucky attitude, and penchant for getting into trouble, Madeline captures the hearts of readers young and old alike. Her bravery, independence, and unwavering sense of adventure make Madeline an endearing character.

  • Aibileen Clark
    42
    The Help
    1,247 votes

    Aibileen Clark is a compassionate African-American maid who uses her storytelling abilities to shed light on racial inequality in Kathryn Stockett's The Help. With her quiet strength and unwavering dedication to making a difference, Aibileen serves as a voice for those who have been silenced. Her kindness, resilience, and commitment to justice make Aibileen an inspiring character.

  • Wendy Darling
    43
    The Adventures of Peter Pan
    1,411 votes

    Wendy Darling is a caring and responsible young girl who embarks on magical adventures with Peter Pan in J.M. Barrie's classic tale. With her nurturing nature and desire for adventure, Wendy serves as the mother figure to the Lost Boys while navigating the whimsical world of Neverland. Her loyalty, bravery, and ability to embrace both childhood wonder and maturity make Wendy an enduring literary figure.

  • Eliza Doolittle
    44
    My Fair Lady, Pygmalion, My Fair Lady
    1,870 votes

    Eliza Doolittle is a spirited flower girl who undergoes a transformation under the guidance of Professor Henry Higgins in George Bernard Shaw's play Pygmalion. With her determination to improve her social status through proper speech and manners, Eliza challenges societal expectations placed upon women during that era. Her tenacity, wit, and eventual self-discovery make Eliza a captivating character.

  • Fern Arable
    45

    Fern Arable

    Charlotte's Web
    1,460 votes

    Fern Arable is a compassionate young girl who forms a unique bond with a talking pig named Wilbur in E.B. White's Charlotte's Web. With her kindness towards animals and willingness to fight for what she believes in, Fern showcases empathy beyond her years. Her compassion, bravery, and ability to see the value in all living creatures make Fern an endearing character.

  • Ophelia
    46
    Hamlet
    1,639 votes
     
    Ophelia is a tragic young woman whose descent into madness serves as a poignant element in William Shakespeare's play Hamlet. With her innocence, vulnerability, and unrequited love for Hamlet, Ophelia's story highlights the destructive power of societal expectations and emotional turmoil. Her fragility, complexity, and heartbreaking fate make Ophelia an unforgettable character.
  • Cleopatra
    47

    Cleopatra

    Antony and Cleopatra
    686 votes

    Cleopatra is a legendary queen of Egypt known for her beauty, intelligence, and political prowess. With her ability to captivate powerful men and shape the course of history, Cleopatra remains one of the most iconic figures in ancient history. Her charisma, ambition, and unwavering determination make Cleopatra a fascinating character.

  • Calypso
    48

    Calypso

    1,368 votes
     

    Calypso is a beautiful nymph known for her enchanting singing voice in Greek mythology. With her captivating allure and ability to seduce men with her music, Calypso embodies both desire and mystery. Her seductive charm, otherworldly beauty, and role as a temptress make Calypso an intriguing character celebrated by fans of mythology.

  • Bellatrix Lestrange
    49
    Harry Potter Series
    2,506 votes

    Bellatrix Lestrange is a ruthless and fanatically loyal Death Eater in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. With her unwavering devotion to Lord Voldemort and sadistic tendencies, Bellatrix embodies the dark side of magic. Her unpredictability, cunning, and willingness to do whatever it takes to serve her master make Bellatrix a formidable antagonist.

  • Éponine
    50

    Éponine

    Les Misérables
    1,952 votes

    Éponine is a tragic yet resilient character in Victor Hugo's Les Misérables who experiences unrequited love amidst political turmoil in 19th-century France. With her selflessness, bravery, and loyalty towards those she cares about, Éponine becomes a symbol of sacrifice and unfulfilled longing. Her vulnerability, complexity, and heartbreaking fate make Éponine an unforgettable character.

  • Scarlett O'Hara
    51
    Gone with the Wind
    3,285 votes
    Scarlett O'Hara is the central character in Margaret Mitchell's 1936 novel Gone with the Wind and in the later film of the same name. She also is the main character in the 1970 musical Scarlett and the 1991 book Scarlett, a sequel to Gone with the Wind that was written by Alexandra Ripley and adapted for a television mini-series in 1994. During early drafts of the original novel, Mitchell referred to her heroine as "Pansy", and did not decide on the name "Scarlett" until just before the novel went to print.
  • Holly Golightly
    52
    Breakfast at Tiffany's
    1,951 votes
    Holly Golightly is a fictional character from the book Breakfast at Tiffany's, appearing in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's.
  • Lisbeth Salander
    53
    The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
    1,739 votes
    Lisbeth Salander is a fictional character created by Swedish author and journalist Stieg Larsson. She is the main character of Larsson's award-winning Millennium series, along with Mikael Blomkvist. She first appeared in the novel The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. She is also featured in The Girl Who Played with Fire and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest.
  • Tinker Bell
    54
    The Adventures of Peter Pan
    1,014 votes
    Tinker Bell, is a fictional character from J. M. Barrie's 1904 play Peter Pan and its 1911 novelization Peter and Wendy. She has appeared in multiple film and television adaptations of the Peter Pan stories, in particular the 1953 animated Walt Disney picture Peter Pan. She also appears in the official sequel Peter Pan in Scarlet by Geraldine McCaughrean commissioned by Great Ormond Street Hospital as well as the "Peter and the Starcatchers" book series by Ridley Pearson and Dave Barry. At first only a supporting character described by her creator as "a common fairy", her animated incarnation was a hit and has since become a widely recognised unofficial mascot of The Walt Disney Company, and the centrepiece of its Disney Fairies media franchise including the direct-to-DVD film series Tinker Bell and Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color.
  • Anne Frank
    55
    The Diary of Anne Frank
    1,063 votes
    Anne Frank, born on June 12, 1929, in Frankfurt, Germany, was a Jewish girl who gained posthumous fame through the publication of her poignant diary. The diary, which she referred to as 'Kitty', served as an outlet for her thoughts and experiences during the Second World War, notably her life in hiding from 1942 to 1944. Her family moved to Amsterdam in 1933, following Hitler's rise to power. However, the peace was short-lived; when the Germans invaded the Netherlands, the Franks went into hiding in a secret annex. The secret annex, located at Prinsengracht 263, where Anne's father Otto Frank had his business, was where Anne wrote most of her diary. In her writings, she detailed the two years spent sharing the cramped space with seven other Jewish individuals, including her parents and her elder sister, Margot. Anne's diary entries also reflected her inner world, her aspirations to become a journalist, her romantic feelings, and her constant struggle with depression. In August 1944, their hiding place was betrayed, leading to their arrest and deportation to concentration camps. Anne and Margot were transferred to Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, where they both succumbed to typhus in March 1945, mere weeks before the camp's liberation. Following the end of the war, Otto Frank, the only surviving member of the family, returned to Amsterdam. Upon discovering Anne's diary, he made efforts to get it published. Today, The Diary of a Young Girl stands as a testament to the human spirit's resilience under horrific circumstances.
  • Sara Crewe
    56
    A Little Princess
    1,087 votes
    Sara is a fictional character from the anime television series Princess Sarah.
  • Morgan le Fay
    57
    The Matter of Britain
    626 votes
    Morgan le Fay (, meaning "Morgan the Fairy"), alternatively known as Morgan[n]a, Morgain[a/e], Morg[a]ne, Morgant[e], Morge[i]n, and Morgue[in] among other names and spellings, is a powerful enchantress in the Arthurian legend. Early appearances of Morgan do not elaborate her character beyond her role as a goddess, a fay, a witch, or a sorceress, generally benevolent and related to King Arthur as his magical saviour and protector. Her prominence increased over time, as did her moral ambivalence, and in some texts there is an evolutionary transformation of her to an antagonist, particularly as portrayed in cyclical prose such as the Lancelot-Grail and the Post-Vulgate Cycle. A significant aspect in many of Morgan's medieval and later iterations is the unpredictable duality of her nature, with potential for both good and evil. Her character may have been rooted in Welsh mythology as well as other earlier myths and historical figures. The earliest account, by Geoffrey of Monmouth in Vita Merlini, refers to Morgan in conjunction with the Isle of Apples (Avalon), which is where Arthur was carried after being fatally wounded in the Battle of Camlann. There, and in the early chivalric romances by Chrétien de Troyes and others, her chief role is that of a great healer. It is Chrétien who establishes her as Arthur's supernatural elder sister. In the Robert de Boron-derived French prose versions and the works based on them, including among them Thomas Malory's influential Le Morte d'Arthur, she is usually established as the youngest daughter of Arthur's mother, Igraine, and her first husband, Gorlois. Arthur, son of Igraine and Uther, is Morgan's half-brother; the Queen of Orkney is one of Morgan's sisters and Mordred's mother. Morgan unhappily marries Urien with whom she has a son, Yvain. She becomes an apprentice of Merlin, and a vindictive adversary of some knights of the Round Table, all the while harbouring a special hatred for Arthur's wife Guinevere. In this tradition, she is also sexually active and even predatory, taking numerous lovers that may include Merlin and Accolon, with an unrequited love for Lancelot. In some variants, including the popular retelling by Malory, Morgan is the greatest enemy of Arthur, scheming to usurp his throne, indirectly becoming an instrument of his death; however, she eventually reconciles with Arthur, retaining her original role of taking him on his final journey to Avalon. Many other medieval and Renaissance works feature continuations of her evolutionary tale from the aftermath of Camlann as she becomes the immortal queen of Avalon in both Arthurian and non-Arthurian stories, sometimes alongside Arthur. After a period of being largely absent from modern culture, Morgan's character again rose to prominence in the 20th and 21st centuries, appearing in a wide variety of roles and portrayals.
  • Hestia
    58

    Hestia

    Greek Mythology
    792 votes
    Hestia is a virgin goddess of the hearth, architecture, and the right ordering of domesticity, the family, and the state. In Greek mythology she is a daughter of Cronus and Rhea. Hestia received the first offering at every sacrifice in the household. In the public domain, the hearth of the prytaneum functioned as her official sanctuary. With the establishment of a new colony, flame from Hestia's public hearth in the mother city would be carried to the new settlement. She sat on a plain wooden throne with a white woolen cushion and did not trouble to choose an emblem for herself. Her Roman equivalent is Vesta.
  • Coraline Jones
    59
    Coraline
    1,148 votes
    Coraline Jones is a fictional character from the film "Coraline".
  • Emma Woodhouse
    60
    Emma
    1,824 votes
    Emma Woodhouse, the protagonist of the story, is a beautiful, high-spirited, intellectual, and 'slightly' spoiled woman of 21. Her mother died when she was very young, and she has been mistress of the house ever since, certainly since her older sister got married. While she is in many ways mature for her age, Emma makes some serious mistakes, mainly due to her conviction that she is always right and her lack of real world experience. Although she has vowed she will never ever marry, she delights in making matches for others. She seems unable to fall in love, until jealousy makes her realize that she has loved Mr Knightley all along.
  • Sansa Stark
    61
    A Song of Ice and Fire
    951 votes
    Sansa Stark is a fictional character from A Game of Thrones book and its TV-series adaptation Game of Thrones.
  • Celie
    62

    Celie

    The Color Purple
    1,134 votes
    Celie is a fictional character from The Color Purple.
  • Charlotte A. Cavatica
    63
    Charlotte's Web
    1,016 votes
    Charlotte A. Cavatica is a fictional character from the book Charlotte's Web.
  • Beatrice
    64

    Beatrice

    Much Ado About Nothing
    1,538 votes
    Beatrice is a fictional character from the book Much Ado About Nothing, appearing in several related movies and plays.
  • Demeter
    65
    Greek Mythology
    808 votes
    Demeter is the goddess of the harvest, who presided over grains and the fertility of the earth. Her cult titles include Sito, "she of the Grain", as the giver of food or grain and Thesmophoros, "Law-Bringer," as a mark of the civilized existence of agricultural society. Though Demeter is often described simply as the goddess of the harvest, she presided also over the sacred law, and the cycle of life and death. She and her daughter Persephone were the central figures of the Eleusinian Mysteries that predated the Olympian pantheon.
  • Guinevere
    66
    The Matter of Britain
    582 votes
    Guinevere ( (listen) GWIN-iv-eer; Welsh: Gwenhwyfar pronunciation ; Breton: Gwenivar), often written as Guenevere or Guenever, is the wife and queen of King Arthur in the Arthurian legend. Guinevere has been portrayed as everything from a villainous and opportunistic traitor to a fatally flawed but noble and virtuous lady. She has first appeared in Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae, a pseudo-historical chronicle of British history written in the early 12th century, and continues to be a popular character in the modern adaptations of the legend. In the later medieval romances, one of the most prominent story arcs is Queen Guinevere's tragic love affair with her husband's chief knight and friend, Lancelot, indirectly causing the death of Arthur and many others and the downfall of the kingdom. This story first appeared in Chrétien de Troyes's Lancelot, the Knight of the Cart and became a major motif in the Lancelot-Grail of the 13th century, carrying through the Post-Vulgate Cycle and Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur.
  • Cinderella
    67
    Cinderella
    1,453 votes
    Cinderella is a fictional character from the TV show Cinderella Monogatari.
  • Cassandra
    68

    Cassandra

    The Iliad
    832 votes
    Cassandra, also known as Alexandra or Kassandra, is a character from mythology. She was the daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy. A common version of her story is that Apollo gave her the power of prophecy in order to seduce her, but when she spat at him, he gave her the curse of never being believed. In an alternative version, she fell asleep in a temple, and snakes licked her ears so that she was able to hear the future. Snakes as a source of knowledge is a recurring theme in Greek mythology, although sometimes the snake brings understanding of the language of animals rather than an ability to know the future. Cassandra is a figure of both epic tradition and of tragedy.
  • Scheherazade
    69
    Arabian Nights
    482 votes
     

     

     
    Scheherazade, or "Shahrazad", is a legendary Arabic queen and the storyteller of One Thousand and One Nights.
  • Carrie White
    70
    Carrie
    499 votes
    Carietta N. "Carrie" White is the title character and the protagonist of Stephen King's novel Carrie. In every adaptation and portrayal of Carrie, she is portrayed as high school outcast, loathed, taunted and bullied by her classmates and her mother, Margaret White, an abusive, mentally ill and unstable religious fanatic. At the age of sixteen, she has her first menstrual period in the showers at school. Since Carrie had no knowledge of menstruation, she believed she was bleeding to death internally. Instead of showing sympathy for the frightened girl, Carrie's classmates mocked her and threw sanitary pads and tampons at her while chanting: "Plug it up!" Her period also awakened her hidden telekinetic and telepathic abilities which were presumably dormant during most of her youth. After being humiliated in front of the entire school during the prom, in a cruel prank involving pig's blood, Carrie triggers her exceptionally strong telekinetic abilities and in a fit of blind rage uses her wild talents to ruthlessly massacre her classmates, and the entire town of Chamberlain, Maine.
  • Pandora
    71

    Pandora

    Pandora's Box
    927 votes
    In Greek mythology, Pandora was the first human woman created by the gods, specifically by Hephaestus and Athena on the instructions of Zeus. As Hesiod related it, each god helped create her by giving her unique gifts. Zeus ordered Hephaestus to mold her out of earth as part of the punishment of humanity for Prometheus' theft of the secret of fire, and all the gods joined in offering her "seductive gifts". Her other name—inscribed against her figure on a white-ground kylix in the British Museum—is Anesidora, "she who sends up gifts". According to the myth, Pandora opened a jar, in modern accounts sometimes mistranslated as "Pandora's box", releasing all the evils of humanity—although the particular evils, aside from plagues and diseases, are not specified in detail by Hesiod—leaving only Hope inside once she had closed it again. She opened the jar out of simple curiosity and not as a malicious act. The Pandora myth is a kind of theodicy, addressing the question of why there is evil in the world.
  • Tris Prior
    72

    Tris Prior

    Divergent trilogy
    2,074 votes
  • Susan Pevensie
    73
    The Chronicles of Narnia Series
    1,047 votes
    Susan Pevensie is a fictional character in C. S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia series. Susan is the elder sister and the second eldest Pevensie child. She appears in three of the seven books—as a child in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian, and as an adult in The Horse and His Boy. She is also mentioned in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and The Last Battle. During her reign at the Narnian capital of Cair Paravel, she is known as Queen Susan the Gentle or Queen Susan of the Horn. She was the only Pevensie that survived the train wreck on Earth which sent the others to Narnia after The Last Battle. In Disney's live-action films, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian, Susan is portrayed by actress Anna Popplewell. Actress Sophie Winkleman portrays an older Susan at the end of the first film. In the book Susan is described as having black hair: "And Susan grew into a tall and gracious woman with black hair that fell almost to her feet and the kings of the countries beyond the sea began to send ambassadors asking for her hand in marriage. And she was called Susan the Gentle."
  • Lily Evans Potter
    74
    Harry Potter Series
    673 votes
    Lily Potter was a Muggle-born witch, the younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Evans and the sister of Petunia. She learned that she was a witch as a child, after Severus Snape, a wizard boy who lived nearby, recognised her as a witch and told her of the existence of magic. The two became close friends, but their friendship became strained over the years due to Snape's irrepressible interest in the Dark Arts and his passion in joining the Death Eaters. Lily ended the friendship in their fifth year, after Snape called her a Mudblood. She attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from 1971 to 1978 and was sorted into Gryffindor house. A talented student, Lily was a member of the Slug Club and was made Head Girl in her seventh year. After Hogwarts, Lily married James Potter and they had a son, Harry. The couple and their best friends (Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew) all joined the Order of the Phoenix during the First Wizarding War; she and her husband defied Lord Voldemort himself three times. However, Lily and James were forced to go into hiding after a prophecy was made concerning Lord Voldemort and their infant son. James and Lily were betrayed by Peter Pettigrew to Lord Voldemort. Lily was murdered by Voldemort in 1981, along with her husband, while they were trying to protect their son. Lily briefly appeared again through the Resurrection Stone, along with James, Sirius and Remus in 1998. After the Second Wizarding War, Lily had three grandchildren through her son, Harry Potter; James Sirius Potter, Albus Severus Potter and Lily Luna Potter, who was named after her grandmother.
  • Lady of the Lake
    75

    Lady of the Lake

    The Matter of Britain
    421 votes
    The Lady of the Lake is an enchantress in the Matter of Britain, the body of medieval literature and legend associated with King Arthur. She plays a pivotal role in many stories, including giving Arthur his sword Excalibur, enchanting Merlin, and raising Lancelot after the death of his father. Different writers and copyists give the Arthurian character the name Nimue, Nymue, Nimueh, Viviane, Vivien, Vivienne, Niniane, Ninniane, Ninianne, Niviene, Nyneve or Nineve, among other variations. At least two different sorceresses bearing the title "the Lady of the Lake" appear as separate characters in some versions and adaptations since the Post-Vulgate Cycle and Le Morte d'Arthur.
  • Helen of Troy
    76
    The Iliad
    1,510 votes
    In Greek mythology, Helen of Troy, also known as Helen of Sparta, was the daughter of Zeus and Leda, and was a sister of Castor, Pollux, and Clytemnestra. In Greek myths, she was considered the most beautiful woman in the world. By marriage she was Queen of Laconia, a province within Homeric Greece, the wife of King Menelaus. Her abduction by Paris, Prince of Troy, brought about the Trojan War. Elements of her putative biography come from classical authors such as Aristophanes, Cicero, Euripides and Homer. In her youth she was abducted by, or eloped with, Theseus, and in some accounts bore him a child. A competition between her suitors for her hand in marriage sees Menelaus emerge victorious. An oath sworn beforehand by all the suitors requires them to provide military assistance in the case of her abduction; this oath culminates in the Trojan War. When she marries Menelaus she is still very young; whether her subsequent involvement with Paris is an abduction or a seduction is ambiguous. The legends recounting Helen's fate in Troy are contradictory. Homer depicts her as a wistful, even a sorrowful, figure, coming to regret her choice and wishing to be reunited with Menelaus.
  • Ramona Quimby
    77

    Ramona Quimby

    Beezus and Ramona
    1,286 votes
    Ramona Quimby is a fictional character in the 2010 family film Ramona and Beezus.
  • Lyra Belacqua
    78
    His Dark Materials
    982 votes
    Lyra Belacqua is a fictional character in the 2007 film The Golden Compass.
  • Juliet Capulet
    79
    Romeo and Juliet
    758 votes
    Juliet is the female protagonist and one of two title characters in William Shakespeare's romantic love tragedy Romeo and Juliet. Juliet is the only daughter of Capulet, the patriarch of the Capulet family. The story has a long history that precedes Shakespeare himself.
  • Hester Prynne
    80

    Hester Prynne

    The Scarlet Letter
    1,888 votes
    Hester Prynne is the protagonist of Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel The Scarlet Letter. She is portrayed as a woman condemned by her Puritan neighbors. The character has been called "among the first and most important female protagonists in American literature". A resident of Colonial America, Hester is sent ahead to the "New World" by her husband, who later assumes the name of Roger Chillingworth, as he has some business to finish before he can join her. After he is shipwrecked and captured by Native Americans and presumed dead, Hester continues to live her life as a seamstress in the town. She looks to the local pastor Arthur Dimmesdale for comfort; somewhere along the way passion emerges, culminating in the conception and subsequent birth of their child, Pearl. Because Hester has no husband with her, she is imprisoned, convicted of the crime of adultery, and sentenced to be forced to wear a prominent scarlet letter 'A' for the rest of her life. Though scorned by her fellow citizens, Hester continues to lead a relatively uneventful life. Shortly after the birth of the child and her punishment, Hester's husband reappears and demands that she tell him the name of the child's father.
  • Anna Karenina
    81
    Anna Karenina
    2,539 votes
    Anna is a fictional character from the book Anna Karenina.
  • Irene Adler
    82
    A Scandal in Bohemia
    493 votes
    Irene Adler is a fictional character from the 1984 film Sherlock Holmes and the Masks of Death.
  • Hera
    83
    Goddess of Love
    940 votes
    Hera is the wife and one of three sisters of Zeus in the Olympian pantheon of Greek mythology and religion. Her chief function was as the goddess of women and marriage. Her counterpart in the religion of ancient Rome was Juno. The cow, lion and the peacock were considered sacred to her. Hera's mother is Rhea and her father Cronus. Portrayed as majestic and solemn, often enthroned, and crowned with the polos, Hera may bear a pomegranate in her hand, emblem of fertile blood and death and a substitute for the narcotic capsule of the opium poppy. Scholar of Greek mythology Walter Burkert writes in Greek Religion, "Nevertheless, there are memories of an earlier aniconic representation, as a pillar in Argos and as a plank in Samos." Hera was known for her jealous and vengeful nature against Zeus's lovers and offspring, but also against mortals who crossed her, such as Pelias. Paris also earned Hera's hatred by choosing Aphrodite as the most beautiful goddess.
  • Lady Macbeth
    84
    Macbeth
    3,610 votes
    Lady Macbeth is a fictional character from Macbeth.
  • Meg Murry
    85

    Meg Murry

    A Wrinkle in Time
    767 votes
    Margaret "Meg" Murry O'Keefe is the main character and main protagonist in Madeleine L'Engle's Time Quintet of Science fantasy novels, the daughter of two scientists, the sister of twins Sandy and Dennys Murry and telepath Charles Wallace Murry, and the mother of Polly O'Keefe and others in the O'Keefe series of books. About fourteen years old when introduced in A Wrinkle in Time, she is thirty-six and a mother of seven in her second published appearance, The Arm of the Starfish. The adventures of Meg, her three brothers and her two eldest children take place over the course of eight books, written between 1959 and 1989. A further novel about Meg as an adult, begun in the 1990s, remains unfinished.
  • Ygritte
    86
    A Song of Ice and Fire
    1,616 votes
    Ygritte is a fictional character from the TV series Game of Thrones.
  • Johanna Mason
    87

    Johanna Mason

    The Hunger Games Trilogy
    814 votes
  • June 'Offred' Osborne
    88
    The Handmaid's Tale
    583 votes
    June Osborne, sometimes referred by her patronymic Offred, is the main protagonist of The Handmaid's Tale (Hulu, 2017). She is a woman in her thirties who is forced to work as a Handmaid in the early years of the Republic of Gilead, due to the fact she is still capable of bearing children. She is the wife of Luke and the mother of a young daughter, Hannah.
  • Tiger Lily
    89

    Tiger Lily

    The Adventures of Peter Pan
    578 votes
    Tiger Lily is a fictional character from J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan universe.
  • Pollyanna
    90

    Pollyanna

    Pollyanna
    791 votes
    The eponymous character of the book Pollyanna in literature, tv and film.
  • Little Red Riding Hood
    91

    Little Red Riding Hood

    Little Red Riding Hood
    1,041 votes
    Red Riding Hood is a fictional character from the 2009 film Jack and the Beanstalk.
  • Lucie Manette
    92

    Lucie Manette

    A Tale of Two Cities
    811 votes
     

     

  • Marianne Dashwood
    93

    Marianne Dashwood

    Sense and Sensibility
    937 votes
    A character in Jane Austen's novel, Sense and Sensibility. Sister of Elinor and Margaret.
  • Cordelia
    94

    Cordelia

    King Lear
    924 votes
    Cordelia is a fictional character in William Shakespeare’s tragic play, King Lear. She is the youngest of King Lear’s three daughters, and his favourite. After her elderly father offers her the opportunity to profess her love to him in return for one third of the land in his kingdom, she refuses and is banished for the majority of the play.
  • Idunn
    95

    Idunn

    Norse Mythology
    817 votes
  • Melanie Hamilton
    96

    Melanie Hamilton

    Gone with the Wind
    566 votes
    Melanie Hamilton Wilkes is a fictional character first appearing in the novel Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell. In the 1939 film she was portrayed by Olivia de Havilland. Melanie is Scarlett O'Hara's sister-in-law and eventually her best friend.
  • Brunhild
    97

    Brunhild

    Nibelungenlied.
    1,135 votes
    Brunhild is a fictional character from the 1924 film Die Nibelungen: Siegfried.
  • Frigg
    98

    Frigg

    Nibelungenlied
    802 votes
  • Catelyn Stark
    99
    A Song of Ice and Fire
    546 votes
    Catelyn Stark is a fictional character from A Game of Thrones book and its TV-series adaptation Game of Thrones.
  • Undine
    100

    Undine

    Undine
    774 votes
     

     

  • Hazel Levesque
    101

    Hazel Levesque

    Heroes of Olympus
    648 votes
    Hazel Levesque is a fictional character in The Son of Neptune, the second book of Rick Riordan's The Heroes of Olympus series, where she is one of three narrators. A demigod daughter of Pluto, she resides at Camp Jupiter, a secret camp built to train Roman demigods. She was brought to Camp Jupiter by her half-brother Nico di Angelo, a major character in the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series.
  • Helena
    102

    Helena

    A Midsummer Night's Dream
    277 votes
    Helena is a fictional character and one of the four young lovers - Demetrius, Lysander, Hermia and Helena - featured in William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream which is a play about lovers, fairies and mechanicals. It was written to be played in the Globe theater in 1956. She is the daughter of Nedar, a member of Theseus court and the Athenian aristocracy, and a childhood friend of Hermia, with whom she is often compared. Prior to the play's beginning, she is betrothed to the nobleman Demetrius but is jilted when his affections turn to Hermia instead. Despite this, Helena's abiding love for Demetrius remains consistent throughout the play. Hermia and her lover, Lysander, confide in Helena that they plan to elope. In the hopes that she will gain back some of his respect, Helena tells Demetrius of Hermia and Lysander's escape and, that night, the two follow the lovers into the forest. Though Demetrius is deliberately cruel towards her, Helena remains honest in her devotion to him. Her behaviour catches the attention of Oberon, who commands that Puck enchant a sleeping Demetrius so that he will fall back in love with Helena.
  • Hua Mulan
    103

    Hua Mulan

    Mulan: Rise of a Warrior
    144 votes
    Hua Mulan is the fictional representation of the legendary figure Hua Mulan.
  • Queen of Hearts
    104
    Alice in Wonderland
    626 votes
    The Queen of Hearts is a character from the book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by the writer and mathematician Lewis Carroll. She is a foul-tempered monarch, that Carroll himself pictured as "a blind fury", and who is quick to decree death sentences at the slightest offense. Her most famous line, one which she repeats often, is "Off with their heads!" The Queen is referred to as a card from a pack of playing cards by Alice, yet somehow she is able to talk and is the ruler of the lands in the story, alongside the King of Hearts. She is often confused with the Red Queen from the sequel, Through the Looking-Glass, although the two are very different.
  • Margaery Tyrell
    105
    A Song of Fire and Ice
    473 votes
    Margaery Tyrell is a fictional character in the A Song of Ice and Fire series of high fantasy novels by American author George R. R. Martin, and its television adaptation Game of Thrones. Though a supporting character in the books, she is a more prominent player in the HBO series, where she is portrayed by Natalie Dormer. Margaery is first mentioned in A Game of Thrones and first appears in A Clash of Kings.
  • Iseult
    106

    Iseult

    Tristan & Isolde
    790 votes
    Iseult (), alternatively Isolde (), Yseult, Ysolt, Isode, Isoude, Iseut, Isaut (Old French), Iosóid (Irish), Esyllt (Welsh), Isolda (Spanish), Isotta (Italian), is the name of several characters in the legend of Tristan and Iseult. The most prominent is Iseult of Ireland, wife of Mark of Cornwall and lover of Tristan. Her mother, the Queen of Ireland, is also named Iseult. The third is Iseult of the White Hands, the daughter of Hoel of Brittany, sister of Kahedin, and eventual wife of Tristan.
  • Eugenia 'Skeeter' Phelan
    107
    The Help
    510 votes
    Eugenia 'Skeeter' Phelan is a fictional character from the 2011 film The Help.
  • Desdemona
    108

    Desdemona

    Othello
    629 votes
    Desdemona is a character in William Shakespeare's play Othello. Shakespeare's Desdemona is a Venetian beauty who enrages and disappoints her father, a Venetian senator, when she elopes with Othello, a man several years her senior. When her husband is deployed to Cyprus in the service of the Republic of Venice, Desdemona accompanies him. There, her husband is manipulated by his ensign Iago into believing she is an adulteress, and, in the last act, she is murdered by her estranged spouse. The role has attracted notable actresses through the centuries and has the distinction of being the role performed by Margaret Hughes, the first actress to appear on an English public stage.
  • Claudia
    109
    Interview with the Vampire
    475 votes
    Claudia is a fictional character in Anne Rice's The Vampire Chronicles series. She is one of the main characters in Interview with the Vampire, the first novel in the series. She also features in The Vampire Lestat, The Queen of the Damned, The Tale of the Body Thief, The Vampire Armand and Merrick.
  • Skaði
    110

    Skaði

    Norse Mythology
    660 votes
  • Beverly Marsh
    111
    It
    387 votes
    Beverly Marsh is a fictional character from It.
  • Virginia Woolf
    112
    A Room of One's Own
    653 votes
    Adeline Virginia Woolf (; née Stephen; 25 January 1882 – 28 March 1941) was an English writer, considered one of the most important modernist 20th-century authors and also a pioneer in the use of stream of consciousness as a narrative device. Woolf was born into an affluent household in South Kensington, London, the seventh child in a blended family of eight. Her mother, Julia Prinsep Jackson, celebrated as a Pre-Raphaelite artist's model, had three children from her first marriage, while Woolf's father, Leslie Stephen, a notable man of letters, had one previous daughter. The Stephens produced another four children, including the modernist painter Vanessa Bell. While the boys in the family received college educations, the girls were home-schooled in English classics and Victorian literature. An important influence in Virginia Woolf's early life was the summer home the family used in St Ives, Cornwall, where she first saw the Godrevy Lighthouse, which was to become central in her novel To the Lighthouse (1927). Woolf's childhood came to an abrupt end in 1895 with the death of her mother and her first mental breakdown, followed two years later by the death of her stepsister and a mother figure to her, Stella Duckworth. From 1897 to 1901, she attended the Ladies' Department of King's College London, where she studied classics and history and came into contact with early reformers of women's higher education and the women's rights movement. Other important influences were her Cambridge-educated brothers and unfettered access to her father's vast library. Encouraged by her father, Woolf began writing professionally in 1900. Her father's death in 1905 caused another mental breakdown for Woolf. Following his death, the Stephen family moved from Kensington to the more bohemian Bloomsbury, where they adopted a free-spirited lifestyle. It was in Bloomsbury where, in conjunction with the brothers' intellectual friends, they formed the artistic and literary Bloomsbury Group. Following her 1912 marriage to Leonard Woolf, the couple founded the Hogarth Press in 1917, which published much of her work. The couple rented a home in Sussex and moved there permanently in 1940. Throughout her life, Woolf was troubled by her mental illness. She was institutionalized several times and attempted suicide at least twice. Her illness is considered to have been bipolar disorder, for which there was no effective intervention during her lifetime. At age 59, Woolf committed suicide in 1941 by putting rocks in her coat pockets and drowning herself in the River Ouse. During the interwar period, Woolf was an important part of London's literary and artistic society. In 1915 she published her first novel, The Voyage Out, through her half-brother's publishing house, Gerald Duckworth and Company. Her best-known works include the novels Mrs Dalloway (1925), To the Lighthouse (1927) and Orlando (1928). She is also known for her essays, including A Room of One's Own (1929), in which she wrote the much-quoted dictum, "A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction." Woolf became one of the central subjects of the 1970s movement of feminist criticism and her works have since garnered much attention and widespread commentary for "inspiring feminism." Her works have been translated into more than 50 languages. A large body of literature is dedicated to her life and work, and she has been the subject of plays, novels and films. Woolf is commemorated today by statues, societies dedicated to her work and a building at the University of London.
  • Wicked Witch of the West
    113
    The Wizard Of Oz
    371 votes
    Azkadellia is a fictional character from the 2007 TV miniseries Tin Man.
  • Catherine Earnshaw
    114
    Wuthering Heights
    1,183 votes
    Young Catherine Earnshaw is a fictional character from the film Wuthering Heights.
  • Narcissa Malfoy
    115
    Harry Potter Series
    892 votes
    Narcissa "Cissy" Malfoy (nᅢᄅe Black) is a fictional character in the Harry Potter book series written by J. K. Rowling. The character is the wife of Lucius Malfoy, mother of Draco Malfoy, sister of Bellatrix Lestrange and Andromeda Tonks, was the cousin of Sirius Black and a Dark witch ¬タヤ all are prominent characters, and as the series continues she takes on a larger role. She has yet to appear in any of the films; her character makes an appearance in Goblet of Fire but was ultimately cut from the film adaptation. Born Narcissa Black to Cygnus Black and his wife, Druella (nᅢᄅe Rosier), Narcissa was the youngest child of three sisters, Bellatrix (who calls Narcissa "Cissy") and Andromeda being her older siblings. She was the cousin of Sirius Black and Regulus Black, and later became an aunt to Nymphadora Tonks, although it is unlikely that she acknowledges the connection due to Nymphadora being the child of Muggle-born Ted Tonks. The Black family was a very old pure-blood wizarding family with firm prejudice against those of "impure" magical blood, and Narcissa was no doubt taught these prejudices from an early age. She is a tall and slim blue-eyed blonde with, at least when [ - ]
  • Piper McLean
    116

    Piper McLean

    Heroes of Olympus
    564 votes
    Piper McLean is a fictional character and a protagonist in Rick Riordan's The Heroes of Olympus book series. She first appears in The Lost Hero, the first novel of the series, as a fifteen year-old demigod who attends the Wilderness School, a boarding school for delinquent teenagers. After getting attacked by a group of storm spirits, Piper learns that she is a demigod, as are her friends Jason Grace and Leo Valdez. They are then escorted to Camp Half-Blood, a sanctuary for Greek demigods, where she is claimed to be the daughter of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love.
  • Viola
    117
    Twelfth Night, or What You Will
    251 votes
    Viola is the heroine and protagonist of the play Twelfth Night, written by William Shakespeare. Viola's actions produce all of the play's momentum. She is a young woman of Messaline, a fictional country invented by Shakespeare, although some believe that this country really did exist. In the beginning Viola is found shipwrecked on the shores of Illyria and separated from her twin brother, not knowing whether he is alive or dead, the Sea Captain that tells her that this place is ruled by the Duke Orsino, who is in love with the Countess Olivia. Viola wants to serve her, but, finding this impossible, she has the Sea Captain dress her up like a eunuch, so she can serve the Duke instead. Viola chooses the name Cesario, which in Italian means 'little Caesar', and secures a position as a page working for the Duke. He then entrusts Cesario to express his love for Olivia.
  • Karana
    118

    Karana

    Island of the Blue Dolphins
    324 votes
     

     

     
  • Cersei Lannister
    119
    A Song of Fire and Ice
    610 votes
    Cersei Lannister is a fictional character in the A Song of Ice and Fire series of fantasy novels by American author George R. R. Martin, and its television adaptation Game of Thrones. She becomes a prominent point of view character in the novels beginning with the 2005 fourth installment A Feast for Crows. Cersei is portrayed by Lena Headey on the HBO series Game of Thrones. In 2014, she received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her performance. In season 5, a young version of the character is portrayed by Nell Williams in flashbacks.
  • Bridget Jones
    120
    Bridget Jones's Diary
    1,288 votes
    Bridget Jones is a franchise based on the fictional character with the same name. English writer Helen Fielding started her Bridget Jones's Diary column in The Independent in 1995, while chronicling the life of Bridget Jones as a thirtysomething single woman in London as she tries to make sense of life and love with the help of a surrogate "urban family" of friends in the 1990s. The column lampooned the obsession of women with women's magazines such as Cosmopolitan and wider social trends in Britain at the time. Helen Fielding published the novelisation of the column in 1996, followed by a sequel in 1999 called Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. Both novels were adapted for the big screen in 2001 and 2004, starring Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones, and Hugh Grant and Colin Firth as the men in her life: Daniel Cleaver and Mark Darcy. After Fielding had ceased to work for The Daily Telegraph in late 1998, the feature began again in The Independent on 4 August 2005 and finished in June 2006. Helen Fielding released a third novel in 2013, "Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy", which is set 18 years later.