The Most Popular Nickelodeon Characters, Ranked

Choose the characters you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 3, 2024 06:15
Picture a lively debate among friends, arguing about which Nickelodeon character stands out as the most memorable. Each person has their favorite, championed for their unique traits and memorable story arcs. Such discussions reveal not just personal preferences, but highlight the diverse array of characters that have danced across TV screens, engaging audiences young and old. By participating in the voting process, you contribute to a crowd-sourced ranking that reflects a broader consensus on Nickelodeon’s beloved characters. This not only fuels further discussion and nostalgic revisits but also helps new audiences understand the cultural impact of these characters. Your vote matters in sculpting a collective memory of animated icons that have shaped entertainment for decades.

What Are the Most Popular Nickelodeon Characters?

  1. 1
    54
    votes

    SpongeBob SquarePants

    Stephen Hillenburg
    SpongeBob is the most popular Nickelodeon character of all time. He has been entertaining children and adults alike for over two decades with his silly antics and infectious laugh.
    SpongeBob SquarePants is an animated television series that follows the adventures of a yellow sponge named SpongeBob SquarePants, who lives underwater in the fictional underwater city of Bikini Bottom.
    • Genre: Animated Comedy
    • First Aired: May 1, 1999
    • Target Audience: Children and Adults
    • Episode Count: over 250 episodes
    • Main Characters: SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star, Squidward Tentacles, Mr. Krabs
    SpongeBob SquarePants in other rankings
  2. 2
    24
    votes
    These four teenage turtles have been fighting crime since the 1980s, and they have become a beloved staple of the Nickelodeon brand.
    The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a popular animated franchise that revolves around the adventures of four anthropomorphic turtles named Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael. Trained in the art of ninjutsu by their rat sensei, Splinter, the turtles emerge from their sewer lair to protect the city from various criminals, mutant creatures, and other threats.
    • First Appearance: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (May 1984)
    • Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
    • Primary Medium: Comics
    • TV Series: Several animated series adaptations have been made, including the popular 1987 animated series and the 2012 CGI series.
    • Movies: Multiple movies have been released, including the live-action films in the 1990s and the 2014 reboot.
    Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in other rankings
  3. 3
    18
    votes
    Dora has been teaching children Spanish and problem-solving skills for over a decade, and she is still going strong today.
    Dora the Explorer is a popular animated children's television series that follows the adventures of a young girl named Dora and her talking backpack. The show focuses on interactive problem-solving and learning through Dora's quests with her monkey friend, Boots.
    • First aired: August 14, 2000
    • Genre: Educational, Adventure
    • Target audience: Preschoolers
    • Running time: 22 minutes
    • Main character: Dora
    Dora the Explorer in other rankings
  4. 4
    12
    votes
    This group of babies and toddlers have been getting into all sorts of mischief since the early 1990s.
    Rugrats is a popular animated television series that aired on Nickelodeon. It follows the adventures of a group of babies and toddlers, specifically Tommy Pickles, Chuckie Finster, twins Phil and Lil DeVille, and Angelica Pickles. The show primarily focuses on the imaginative and often mischievous escapades of these lovable characters as they navigate through everyday life and childhood milestones.
    • First aired: August 11, 1991
    • Last aired: June 8, 2004
    • Total seasons: 9
    • Total episodes: 172
    • Genre: Animated comedy
  5. 5
    22
    votes
    This epic adventure series takes place in a world where people can bend the elements.
    Avatar: The Last Airbender is an animated television series that aired on Nickelodeon. It is set in a world where some people have the ability to manipulate the elements of water, earth, fire, and air. The storyline follows Aang, the last surviving Airbender who is also the Avatar, a person capable of bending all four elements and maintaining balance in the world. As he embarks on a journey to master the elements and defeat the Fire Nation, he is accompanied by his friends Katara, Sokka, and later on, Toph and Zuko.
    • Genre: Action-adventure fantasy
    • Original network: Nickelodeon
    • Number of seasons: 3
    • Total number of episodes: 61
    • Average episode runtime: 22 minutes
    Avatar: The Last Airbender in other rankings
  6. 6
    13
    votes
    The Fairly OddParents
    Druyts.t · CC BY-SA 4.0

    The Fairly OddParents

    Butch Hartman
    Timmy Turner has been making wishes and causing chaos with his magical godparents since 2001.
    The Fairly OddParents is an animated television series that aired on Nickelodeon. It follows the life of Timmy Turner, a 10-year-old boy who is granted two fairy godparents named Cosmo and Wanda. With their magical powers, they grant Timmy's wishes, often leading to comedic and unpredictable consequences.
    • Genre: Animated comedy
    • Original network: Nickelodeon
    • Original release: March 30, 2001 – July 26, 2017
    • Number of seasons: 10
    • Number of episodes: 172
  7. 7
    6
    votes

    The Loud House

    Chris Savino
    This family of 11 children has been entertaining viewers since 2016.
    The Loud House is an animated television series that debuted on Nickelodeon in 2016. It follows the daily adventures of Lincoln Loud, a 11-year-old boy, and his ten sisters as they navigate through the chaos of being part of a big family. With its humor and relatable characters, the show has gained popularity among children and adults alike.
    • Genre: Animated comedy
    • First aired: May 2, 2016
    • Target audience: Children aged 6-11
    • Number of seasons: 5 (as of 2021)
    • Number of episodes: Over 150 (as of 2021)
  8. 8
    10
    votes
    Hey Arnold!
    Nickelodeon · Public domain

    Hey Arnold!

    Craig Bartlett
    This classic series follows the adventures of a fourth-grader living in a big city.
    Hey Arnold! is an animated television series that aired on Nickelodeon. The show follows the life of Arnold, a fourth-grader who lives in a boarding house with his grandparents. Arnold navigates the challenges of friendship, school, and city life while trying to solve problems and help others in his neighborhood.
    • Genre: Animated sitcom
    • Network: Nickelodeon
    • First Aired: October 7, 1996
    • Last Aired: June 8, 2004
    • Number of Seasons: 5
    Hey Arnold! in other rankings
  9. 9
    3
    votes

    Danny Phantom

    Butch Hartman
    This superhero series follows the adventures of a teenage boy with ghostly powers.
    Danny Phantom is an animated television series created by Butch Hartman. It follows the story of a 14-year-old boy named Danny Fenton, who gains ghost-like powers and becomes a superhero called Danny Phantom. The show combines elements of action, comedy, and supernatural adventure, appealing to a wide range of audiences.
    • Genre: Action, comedy, supernatural
    • First episode date: April 3, 2004
    • Last episode date: August 24, 2007
    • Number of seasons: 3
    • Number of episodes: 53
  10. 10
    12
    votes
    This live-action series follows the adventures of a teenage girl who creates her own web show.
    iCarly is a popular teen sitcom that originally aired on Nickelodeon from 2007 to 2012. The show revolves around Carly Shay, a teenager who creates her own web show called 'iCarly' along with her two best friends, Sam Puckett and Freddie Benson. The show becomes a huge sensation and follows the adventures, challenges, and comedic moments the trio faces as they produce and broadcast their web show.
    • Genre: Teen sitcom
    • Original Network: Nickelodeon
    • Original Air Date: September 8, 2007
    • Final Air Date: November 23, 2012
    • Number of Seasons: 6

Missing your favorite characters?

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Ranking factors for popular characters

  1. Longevity
    Consider how long the character has been a part of the Nickelodeon universe and how consistently they have appeared in shows or movies.
  2. Popularity
    Assess the overall popularity of the character among viewers, measured through surveys, social media mentions, and fan engagement.
  3. Impact on culture
    Analyze how the character has impacted popular culture, such as inspiring memes, catchphrases, or becoming an icon for a certain demographic (e.g., SpongeBob SquarePants).
  4. Merchandise sales
    Look at the sales figures for merchandise related to the character, such as toys, clothing, and other branded paraphernalia.
  5. Critical acclaim
    Evaluate the reception of the character by critics and their significance in the show or movie's overall success.
  6. Show success
    Consider the overall success of the show or movie the character belongs to, including ratings, awards, and longevity.
  7. Crossover appeal
    Analyze whether the character has appeared or been mentioned in other Nickelodeon shows or movies, demonstrating their appeal across different series or franchises.
  8. Relatability
    Evaluate how easily the audience can relate to and sympathize with the character, contributing to their popularity.
  9. Unique characteristics
    Identify any unique character traits that make the character stand out among other Nickelodeon characters.
  10. Voice talent
    Consider the popularity and recognition of the character's voice actor and their contribution to the character's appeal.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Nickelodeon characters. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Character is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1606 views
  • 165 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Character once every 24 hours. The rank of each Character is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

Categories

More information on most popular nickelodeon characters

Nickelodeon has been a staple in children's entertainment for over three decades, producing some of the most memorable characters in television history. From the precocious SpongeBob SquarePants to the adventurous Dora the Explorer, Nickelodeon has a roster of characters that have captured the hearts and imaginations of millions of fans around the world. But who are the most popular Nickelodeon characters? With so many beloved characters to choose from, it can be tough to pick just a few. In this article, we'll explore the most popular Nickelodeon characters according to StrawPoll's user data, and delve into what makes these characters so beloved by fans of all ages.

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