The Names of Santa's Eight Reindeer Everyone knows the name of Rudolf (the Red Nosed Reindeer) but everyone gets stuck on the full list of the names of Santa's eight reindeer. If you are into playing a Christmas Quiz, this is always a question that comes up! So, let's start off with a list of the names of Santa's eight reindeer and put everyone out of their misery!
The Names of Santa's Eight Reindeer The Names of Santa's Eight Reindeer originated from the famous poem Twas the Night before Christmas (also known as 'A Visit from St. Nicholas' by Clement Clarke Moore which was first published in 1823. The number of Santa's reindeer are also often in question! In this famous poem Rudolph the red nosed reindeer was not mentioned - there were definitely only eight reindeer pulling Santa's sleigh - the number of Santa's reindeer is eight! These eight reindeers were special, they were a team of magical, flying reindeer who were "more rapid than eagles". This is illustrated in this extract from the famous poem:
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below. When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.
The Order of Names of Santa's Eight Reindeer The Names of Santa's Eight Reindeer were later mentioned in the Clement Clarke Moore poem in the following verse:
"More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen! To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
So there we have it there were originally only eight reindeers and the names of Santa's Eight Reindeer in order of the poem were Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen. In later editions of the poem two of the eight reindeer names were changed to German spellings of Donder and Blitzen. Then in time the Dutch spellings of the names also changed to Dunder and Blixem.
The List of Names of Santa's Eight Reindeer The List of Names of Santa's Eight Reindeer convey speed, elegance, love, power and strength.
Dasher - Conveying speed
Dancer - Beauty and elegance
Prancer - Spirited
Comet - Comparing the reindeer to the speed and the appearance of a comet
Cupid - Love
Donner (Dutch word) - Powerful, exciting and mysterious as thunder
Blitzen (Dutch word) - As fast as lightning
Vixen - Name used to rhyme with Blitzen!
The Names of Santa's Eight Reindeer
The Names of Santa's Eight Reindeer
Santa's Names - Dasher, Dancer
Santa's Names - Prancer, Vixen
Santa's Names - Comet, Cupid
Santa's Names - Donner and Blitzen
Twas the Night before Christmas
Clement Clark Moore
Santa Claus and his sleigh
Father Christmas & Santa's Eight Reindeer Names
The Order of Names of Santa's Eight Reindeer
The Names of Santa's Eight Reindeer
"Merry Christmas, have a happy and prosperous New Year!"
