Sesame Street is a neighborhood of distinct personalities, from a curious red monster to a caring yellow bird and a grouch who likes things his own way. Sesame Workshop describes its cast as a community whose members each have their own interests and pastimes. Here’s a welcoming guide to the characters children are most likely to ask about, plus a few neighbors who make the street feel bigger.
Who are the Sesame Street characters?
The familiar faces highlighted by Sesame Workshop’s show page include Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, Rosita, Bert and Ernie. The organization’s character directory introduces more neighbors, each with a different personality, favorite activities and friendships. Rather than a ranked list, think of the cast as a community: there’s room for the curious, the imaginative, the organized and even the proudly grumpy.
The familiar faces
Elmo
Elmo is a 3½-year-old red monster whose enthusiasm, friendliness and curiosity shape how he explores the world. He likes learning new things and making friends, and his interests include singing, dancing, books, stories and riding his tricycle. Zoe and Abby are among his friends, and his pet goldfish is named Dorothy. Sesame Workshop’s Elmo profile presents him as an eager learner, not simply a cheerful face.
Abby Cadabby
Abby is a playful, imaginative four-year-old fairy-in-training. Her official profile emphasizes confidence, creativity and curiosity, especially her knack for noticing magic in the world. Her fairy play gives children a different kind of imagination to enjoy alongside Elmo’s curiosity.
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Cookie Monster
Cookie Monster loves food, especially cookies, but that is only one part of his character. Sesame Workshop describes him as a friend who is learning self-regulation, sharing and cooperation; its profile also shows him modeling healthy habits and learning about cooking and healthy foods. His appetite is a running source of fun, while his efforts to make thoughtful choices give the character more dimension.
Big Bird
Big Bird is a 6½-year-old yellow bird. Sesame Workshop describes him as caring, imaginative, curious and community-minded, and highlights the way he faces big emotions and challenges. The character directory lists his height as 8 feet 2 inches. His size may stand out, but his caring nature is central to how the organization describes him.
Rank #2
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Rosita
Rosita is an optimistic, playful five-year-old who loves singing and playing guitar. She speaks both English and Spanish and enjoys sharing her heritage with friends. Her full name is Rosita la Monstrua de las Cuevas, which Sesame Workshop translates as “The Monster of the Caves.” Her music and bilingual conversations bring another voice to the neighborhood.
Bert and Ernie
Bert and Ernie are best friends and roommates in the basement apartment at 123 Sesame Street. Bert is serious and organized; his interests include collecting bottle caps and eating oatmeal. Ernie is a bubbly jokester who loves baths and his Rubber Duckie. Their different temperaments give them plenty to play off one another, while their friendship makes clear that roommates and best friends need not have the same tastes.
Rank #3
- Official Licensed Products
- Choose from 3 different sets
- Poseable figures
- Perfect for self-play or sharing with friends
- Suitable for ages 2 Years +
More neighbors to meet
Grover, Oscar and the Count
Grover is a gregarious blue monster whose exuberant attempts to get things done have entertained viewers for decades, according to the character directory. Oscar the Grouch is the neighborhood grouch, content to dislike the conventionally “nice” things others enjoy. The Count, meanwhile, enjoys counting. Their contrasting styles make the neighborhood feel varied without requiring every character to share the same idea of fun.
Zoe and Snuffy
Zoe loves dancing and singing. Snuffy is Big Bird’s friend and shares adventures with him, making him a natural addition to stories about Big Bird and his neighborhood connections.
Rank #4
- SESAME STREET ABBY CADABBY PLUSH: This adorable plush features Abby with sheer iridescent wings and her signature sky-blue dress, holding a yellow flower with a smile. She also features soft pink plush and her bright pink and purple hair in pigtails
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Julia and Ji-Young
Sesame Workshop describes Julia as a bright, curious four-year-old girl who has autism. That is a description of Julia, not a template for autistic children, who are individuals with their own personalities and ways of experiencing the world. Ji-Young is seven years old and loves electric guitar and music.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to choose a character to explore with a child
There is no official “best” character. A child may connect with a character’s look, interests, friendships or the kinds of situations they encounter. Sesame Workshop frames the characters as a community with distinct personalities and pastimes, rather than as a contest.
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- Includes: Abby Cadabby plush toy.
- Take-Along Sesame Street Friend: The Sesame Street Friends Plush assortment features favorite characters as small, 8-inch plush toys that are perfect for kids to take anywhere.
- Cuddly Plush Pal: The Sesame Street Friends Plush Abby Cadabby stuffed toy is made entirely of soft, huggable fabrics and 100% recycled fill. Awesome for anytime snuggles!
- Inspires Imaginative Play: Preschoolers will love making up stories and Sesame Street adventures with this lovable Abby Cadabby plushie. Pretty Abby has a big, happy smile and is ready to be every kid’s best friend.
- Collect Them All: Collect all the Sesame Street Friends Plush toys and have a Sesame Street neighborhood block party! Look for Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, Ernie, Bert, Oscar, and Abby Cadabby, each sold separately.
- For curiosity and trying new things: Elmo is described as eager to learn and make friends.
- For imaginative play: Abby’s fairy-in-training stories revolve around creativity and finding magic in the world.
- For friendship and making thoughtful choices: Cookie Monster’s profile includes learning to share and cooperate.
- For caring and big feelings: Big Bird’s description highlights community, imagination and facing challenges.
- For music and bilingual conversation: Rosita enjoys singing and guitar, speaks English and Spanish, and shares her heritage.
- For a friendship between opposites: Bert and Ernie have contrasting temperaments but are best friends and roommates.
Character ages here are the ages given in Sesame Workshop’s descriptions. They identify how the characters are framed, not precise real-world developmental categories for children.
Where to find official character information
Sesame Workshop’s show page and character directory are useful starting points for character descriptions. Its official store also lists licensed character merchandise and books, including a lift-the-flap board book; listings and assortment can change, so check the current page for availability.
Quick Recap
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