Reindeer Names

Humming Christmas carols only brings forward Rudolph's name, then what about the other reindeer names? Did you know Rudolph is the latest addition to the reindeer names? Earlier there were just eight reindeer.

The legend of Santa Claus is quite interesting with every element having its own story. Santa Claus on his sleigh, has eight reindeer pulling it, each one with its own specialty. The reindeer are lined up in a particular order. Every reindeer name has a meaning. Here are all the details about Santa and his magical creatures, 'the reindeer'.

These are the first 8 reindeer names, which were included in the Christmas poem 'A visit from St Nicholas'. The names are as follows

1. Dasher
2. Dancer
3. Prancer
4. Vixen
5. Comet
6. Cupid
7. Dunder
8. Blitzen

The poem does not mention that the reindeer are placed in a particular order but the later versions of different poets about Santa Claus and his reindeer, added various other reindeer names to the list.

Getting into the history of Christmas carols, 'Rudolph the red nosed reindeer', was the ninth reindeer to be added to the clan. The story of Rudolph is quite interesting as first published by Robert L. May.

In this verse he mentions that Rudolph was always made fun of by the other reindeer. On a particular Christmas eve, Santa was having trouble delivering gifts due to the foggy weather. When Santa was at Rudolph's place, he noticed that his bright nose almost lit up the entire dark room.

Santa asked Rudolph weather he would like to guide his sleigh as a makeshift lamp on the foggy night. Rudolph agreed, and from then on became one of the most loved reindeer.

So this was the story of the ninth reindeer. This makes one wonder did the other reindeer have a special thing about them that made them pull Santa's sleigh? Of course they did! Here are the reindeer names in order of them pulling the sleigh.

Dasher - The first reindeer and leader on the right side, before Rudolph joined. He is the fastest reindeer.

Dancer - The second reindeer and leader on the left side, is the most graceful of the lot.

Prancer - The third one on the right side and in the second row, is the most powerful of them all.

Vixen - The fourth reindeer second on left and in the second row, is also powerful, but very beautiful as well.

Comet - The fifth reindeer on the right hand side third row, makes children very happy as Santa flies from their houses.

Cupid - She was the sixth reindeer on the left in the third row. Just as her name she spreads love and joy among all.

Dunder - He is the seventh reindeer in the fourth row. So which adjective rhymes with Dunder? Well, how about, 'Thunder'! And that's what he is like, thunder indeed! Most often mispronunciations have led to Dunder being called, 'Donner'.

Blitzen - The eighth reindeer in the fourth row is like lightening. She is a female, but then again, the animated character of this reindeer is portrayed as a male.

All these were Santa's reindeer name's meanings. Different countries have a different version of names for the reindeer. Blitzen is often called Bliksem and Dunder is Donder. These are Dutch versions of the reindeer names, which are actually the original names. Blitzen and Dunder are German versions of the names, coined later.

There are various names given to the reindeer. But I have to remind you here, that there are only 9 original, not 10, not 11, not 12 reindeer names!

This can actually work as a Christmas game, 'to guess all reindeer names'. I bet very few will win this and for the rest of you, who are wondering, is Santa really real? Are these just stories? I have only one thing to say to you. Enjoy the magic of Christmas, and set aside all your curiosities, after all, it's the season to forget all your worries and celebrate!