Hello Kitty

Hello Kitty is a fictional character and Sanrio mascot created in 1974.

Hello Kitty is a fictional character and Sanrio mascot created in 1974. Presented as a British catlike girl named Kitty White, she became one of the world's best-known pop-culture characters.

What it is

Hello Kitty is the central character in a long-running Sanrio franchise and one of the company’s signature mascots. She is depicted with a red bow, no visible mouth, and a simple design that became globally recognisable. Sanrio presents her as a British anthropomorphic catlike girl, not an actual cat.

Where it came from

Hello Kitty was created by Yuko Shimizu and introduced by Sanrio in 1974. Her early appearance on consumer products, such as a vinyl coin purse, helped establish her popularity. Official character profiles place her origin in the suburbs of London, England, with a birthday of November 1.

Why it matters

Hello Kitty became an international pop-culture icon through extensive licensing, merchandise, and brand recognition. She is associated with kawaii culture and global consumer culture, and remains one of Sanrio’s most successful characters. Her simple, adaptable design has maintained cross-generational appeal.