What is Mickey Mouse called? - briefly
The cartoon character’s official name is Mickey Mouse, and he is commonly referred to simply as Mickey.
What is Mickey Mouse called? - in detail
Mickey Mouse is the registered name of the cartoon character created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks in 1928. The name appears on all official merchandise, film credits, and trademark registrations owned by The Walt Disney Company.
The character is commonly referred to simply as “Mickey.” The nickname is used in internal Disney documents, promotional materials, and fan discourse. Early publicity sometimes called the figure “the little mouse,” but the formal designation has always remained the same.
Internationally, the name is largely retained in its original English form, though several languages adopt localized spellings or phonetic adaptations:
- Finnish: Mikki hiiri
- Japanese: ミッキーマウス (Mikkī Mausu)
- German: Mickey Maus
- French: Mickey Mouse (pronounced “Mickey Mous”)
- Spanish: Mickey Mouse (occasionally “Mickey Ratón”)
- Italian: Mickey Mouse
- Russian: Микки Маус
These variations preserve the core brand while fitting local orthographic conventions.
Legal documentation cites “Mickey Mouse” as the precise trademarked term. The United States Patent and Trademark Office lists the name under Class 009 (computer software) and Class 041 (entertainment services). The same designation is recorded in the European Union Intellectual Property Office and other national registries.
The character’s identity extends beyond the name; it encompasses a specific visual design—a black–body mouse with circular ears, red shorts, white gloves, and large yellow shoes—registered as a separate visual trademark. Voice actors, most famously Walt Disney himself from 1928 to 1947, are credited under the character’s name in production records.