When Barbie was first introduced by the Mattel toy company in 1959, few people could have predicted how popular the doll would become.
Barbie, whose full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts, began as an 11.5-inch version of a young, suburban, blonde-haired, white female. She debuted at the New York Toy Fair on March 9, 1959, and the doll sold for $3 that year.
Since then, more than 1 billion Barbies have been sold in over 150 countries, making Barbie l one of the most popular toys of all time.
As the 60th birthday of Barbie nears, 24/7 Wall St. has created a list of the most popular Barbie dolls. We used average ratings of the most reviewed Barbie dolls on Amazon.com to determine popularity.
Click here to see the most popular Barbie dolls of all time.
Mattel enhanced Barbie’s popularity by associating the doll with popular television shows such as “Charlie’s Angels” in the 1970s and to special events like the Kentucky Derby horse race. The toy company also created Barbies from different nations.
Over time, Mattel created Barbies with different hair colors and skin tone to reflect the diversity of the United States.
Barbie’s idealized body shape also came under scrutiny, and in response, the doll’s makers created different body types for a Barbie that is more realistic.
Even as overall toy sales have declined, Barbie remains popular. Sales of the doll rose 9% in the fourth quarter of 2017 and are about $1 billion annually.
Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
50. Barbie Doll & Horse
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Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
49. Barbie Collector The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Katniss Everdeen Doll
Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
48. Barbie Star Trek 50th Anniversary Uhura Doll
Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
47. 2015 Ballet Wishes Barbie Doll
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Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
46. Barbie Doll and Glam Convertible
Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
45. Barbie Beach Cruiser and Ken Doll
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Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
44. 2016 Ballet Wishes Barbie Doll
Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
43. Barbie Birthday Wishes Doll
Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
42. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part II Rosalie Doll
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Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
41. Barbie Careers Eye Doctor Playset
Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
40. Barbie Careers Farm Vet Doll & Playset
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Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
39. Barbie Collector Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Wonder Woman Doll
Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
38. Barbie Misty Copeland Doll
Source: 70cleam / YouTube
37. Barbie and Toddler Student Flippin Fun Gymnastics Dolls
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Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
36. Barbie 2015 Holiday Doll
Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
35. Hunger Games Katniss Everdeen Doll
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Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
34. Barbie Fashionistas Doll 15 Smile With Style – Original
Source: MegaDyskont.pl / YouTube
33. Barbie Fashionistas in The Spotlight Gown Doll, Pink
Source: batwrangler / Flickr
32. Barbie Titanic Rose
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Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
31. Barbie Cheerful Check Fashion Doll
Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
30. Barbie Fashionistas Barbie Doll – Pink and Silver Dress
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Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
29. Barbie Collector Romero Britto Barbie Doll
Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
28. Barbie Fashionistas #64 Lovin’ Leopard Doll, Curvy
Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
27. Barbie Life in the Dreamhouse – Skipper Doll
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Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
26. Barbie Collector Auburn University Doll
Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
25. Barbie The Look Red Carpet Black Label Collector: Gold Dress Barbie Doll
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Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
24. Barbie Doll with Puppy Accessory
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Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
23. Barbie Collector Audrey Hepburn Sabrina Doll
Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
22. Barbie Collector University of Arkansas Doll
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Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
21. Barbie Sparkle Style Salon & Brunette Doll Playset
Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
20. Barbie Sisters Stacie Doll with Bunkbeds
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Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
19. The Barbie Look Barbie Doll – Music Festival
Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
18. Barbie Made to Move The Ultimate Posable Martial Artist Doll
Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
17. Barbie Collector Gabby Douglas Doll
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Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
16. Barbie Fashionistas 59 Pink Halter Floral Skirt Doll
Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
15. Barbie Fairytale Groom Doll
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Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
14. Barbie Star Light Adventure Lights & Sounds Hoverboarder
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Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
13. Barbie Dreamtopia Endless Hair Kingdom 17″ Doll
Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
12. Barbie Life in the Dreamhouse Raquelle Doll
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Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
11. Barbie Fashionistas #66 Beautiful Butterflies Doll
Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
10. Barbie Career of The Year Director Nikki Doll
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Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
9. Barbie Totally Hair 25th Anniversary Doll
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Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
8. Barbie Careers Ice Skater Doll
Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
7. Barbie I Love Valentines! Doll
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Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
6. Barbie Cupcake Chef Doll
Source: napudollworld / Flickr
5. Barbie The Look: Lace Dress Doll
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Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
4. Harley Davidson Barbie Collectible Ken Doll #2
Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
3. Barbie Fashionistas Doll – Silver Stars
Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
2. Barbie The Look Doll
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Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
1. Barbie I Can Be Zoo Keeper Doll
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