Question: Why did "Barbie doll" have such a name? Who is Barbie?
To understand why the "Barbie doll" was given its name and who Barbie is, we need to look into its history.
Barbie is a fashion doll created by Mattel, an American toy company, and was first introduced on March 9, 1959. The doll was named after Ruth Handler's (one of the co-founders of Mattel) daughter, Barbara. Ruth Handler noticed that her daughter enjoyed playing with paper dolls, but there were limited options for three-dimensional dolls to inspire imaginative play for young girls.
Handler recognized a gap in the market and decided to create a more realistic and adult-like doll that showcased fashion and different career options. Barbie became the result of this vision, and the name was derived from Handler's daughter, Barbara, or Barbie for short.
Barbie quickly gained popularity and became an iconic toy, reflecting changes in fashion, culture, and society throughout the years. With her countless accessory packs, clothing options, and various careers, Barbie remains one of the most recognizable and beloved dolls worldwide.