Approx. 1,100 words · Reading time: ~5 minutes
Where It All Began
The American Girl story starts with one woman, a holiday, and a great idea.
In 1984, a former teacher named Pleasant Rowland went on a trip to Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. Walking through the historic streets, she had a thought that would change the toy world. Why not create dolls that teach girls about history, dolls that look like real girls, not babies and not grown ups, but the same age as the children playing with them?
Two years later, in 1986, Pleasant Rowland launched her company with three dolls and a stack of books to match. She called the line The American Girls Collection. The first three dolls were Kirsten,
Samantha and Molly and they were a hit. By 1991, the company was making $77 million a year, all from a mail-order catalogue.
In 1998, the toy giant Mattel bought the company. The brand kept growing and became known simply as American Girl, a name now loved by millions of families around the world.
What Makes American Girl Dolls Special?
A few things set American Girl apart from other dolls:
- They look like real girls. Each doll is 18 inches (about 46 cm) tall and has the body of an 8 to 13 year old, not a baby, not a teenager.
- They come with stories. Every character has her own series of books that bring her world to life.
- They teach as well as entertain. The historical dolls take kids on real journeys through American history, from the 1700s right up to the 1990s.
- They're made to last. With proper care, an American Girl doll can be passed down to younger sisters, daughters, even granddaughters.
Meet the Famous American Girl Characters
American Girl has released over a hundred dolls across the years. Here are the ones people most often search for and remember.
The Historical Characters
These are the dolls that put American Girl on the map. Each one comes from a different time in American history.
- Kaya — A Native American girl from the year 1764 in the Pacific Northwest. She loves horses and adventure.
- Felicity Merriman — A red-haired, spirited girl growing up in 1774 during the American Revolution.
- Caroline Abbott — A brave girl from 1812 who dreams of being a ship's captain.
- Josefina Montoya — A nine-year-old Mexican girl living in 1824 in what is now New Mexico.
- Kirsten Larson — One of the original three. A Swedish immigrant girl in 1854 helping her family settle in Minnesota.
- Cécile Rey & Marie-Grace Gardner — Best friends from 1853 New Orleans.
- Addy Walker — Released in 1993 as the first Black American Girl character. Her story follows her escape from slavery in 1864.
- Samantha Parkington — Another original. A wealthy Edwardian-era orphan from 1904 living with her grandmother.
- Rebecca Rubin — A Jewish girl from 1914 New York who dreams of being an actress.
- Claudie Wells — A 1920s girl growing up in Harlem during the Harlem Renaissance.
- Kit Kittredge — A clever, resourceful girl living through the Great Depression in 1934.
- Nanea Mitchell — A Hawaiian girl whose story begins on the day of the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941.
- Molly McIntire — The third original. A girl growing up during World War II in 1944.
- Maryellen Larkin — A 1950s girl with a love of Elvis and a polio recovery story.
- Melody Ellison — A 1963 girl in Detroit who sings, gardens, and works for civil rights.
- Julie Albright — A 1974 girl fighting to play on her school's all-boys basketball team.
- Courtney Moore — An 80s kid who loves arcade games and Pac-Man.
- Isabel & Nicki Hoffman — Twin sisters from 1999, the most recent additions to the historical line.
The Contemporary Lines
Not every child wants a doll from the past. American Girl has plenty for the present too.
- Truly Me — A line of dolls you can pick to look like you, with different hair, eye and skin combinations.
-
Bitty Baby — A 15-inch baby doll designed for younger children, perfect for cuddling and pretend
caregiving. - WellieWishers — A line of smaller (about 14.5-inch / 37 cm) dolls aimed at children aged 4 to 7. The characters are Willa, Camille, Ashlyn, Emerson and Kendall all best friends in colourful wellie boots.
Girl of the Year
Each year, American Girl releases a special "Girl of the Year" doll with a brand-new story. Past favourites include:
- Joss Kendrick (2020) — A surfer and cheerleader who wears a hearing aid.
- Kira Bailey (2021) — An animal lover who visits a wildlife sanctuary in Australia.
- Corinne Tan (2022) — A young skier from Aspen.
- Kavi Sharma (2023) — A Broadway loving performer who celebrates her Indian heritage.
- Lila Monetti (2024) — A gymnast who also rides horses.
- Summer McKinny (2025) — A baker who starts a dog-walking business.
- Raquel Reyes (2026) — The newest addition. A pickleball loving DJ from Kansas City and the great-great-granddaughter of Samantha Parkington!
Will Your Child's Doll Fit Our Clothes?
Here's the good news: American Girl dolls are 18 inches (46 cm) tall, and they share the same size as several other popular dolls. That means clothes designed for American Girl dolls will also fit:
-
Our Generation dolls (45 cm)
- Australian Girl dolls (very close in size — most outfits work beautifully)
-
Journey Girl dolls (45 cm)
If you're not sure which size your child's doll is, our Doll Sizing Guide and How to Measure Your Doll page will help you find the perfect fit every time.
We also have a smaller dedicated WellieWishers clothing range for the 34–37 cm dolls — and yes, our Disney Toddler outfits fit them too!
A Doll With a Story
Whether your child is brushing Samantha's long brown hair, packing Kit's school bag for an adventure, or dressing Kaya for the great outdoors, an American Girl doll is more than a toy. She's a friend, a
companion and a window into another time.
And the lovely part? Whatever the story, your doll always needs something fresh to wear. Browse our American Girl clothing collection for everything from school uniforms and pyjamas to party dresses
and beach outfits — all at Aussie-friendly prices, with free shipping over $80.
Note: Rosie's Dolls Clothes is not affiliated with American Girl, Pleasant Company or Mattel. All references to American Girl dolls are for sizing and information purposes only.
