Peter Rabbit Characters: Names of All Rabbits Explained

Few children’s books have introduced as many memorable rabbits as Beatrix Potter’s classic. From the mischievous Peter to his well-behaved sisters Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail, the rabbit family has charmed readers since 1902. This guide untangles who’s who in the Peter Rabbit universe, separating the original tales from later TV additions so you can keep all those long-eared characters straight.

Original stories by: Beatrix Potter (1902) · Main rabbit siblings: 4 (Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, Peter) · Peter’s famous girlfriend: Lily Bobtail · First appearance: The Tale of Peter Rabbit (1902) · Known catchphrase: “I am a rabbit and I am very, very brave”

The table below lays out five key facts about Peter Rabbit’s universe, each verified against authoritative sources.

What are the names of the rabbits in Peter Rabbit?

Peter Rabbit’s siblings: Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail

• The original story opens with “four little rabbits” named Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter (V&A, home to Potter’s original manuscripts).
• Peter is described as the eldest (Wikipedia).
• Their mother is Mrs. Josephine Rabbit (Britannica).

The main character: Peter Rabbit

• Peter is a blue-jacketed mischief-maker, described as “very, very brave” in the TV adaptation (Peter Rabbit official site).
• He first appeared in 1902 and is considered one of the world’s oldest licensed characters (Britannica).

Other rabbit characters in the series

• Benjamin Bunny is Peter’s cousin and later becomes Flopsy’s husband (British Museum).
• In the CBeebies series, Lily Bobtail is introduced as a new rabbit friend (BBC).
• Other woodland creatures include Mr. Jeremy Fisher, Squirrel Nutkin, and Jemima Puddle-duck (Peter Rabbit official site).

The implication: knowing the difference between book canon and TV additions prevents confusion when children ask about characters they see on screen but can’t find in the printed stories.

Why is Peter Rabbit so famous?

Origins in Beatrix Potter’s 1902 story

• The Tale of Peter Rabbit has sold over 45 million copies worldwide and is one of the best-selling children’s books of all time (Britannica).
• Beatrix Potter self-published the story in 1901 before Frederick Warne & Co. issued a commercial edition in 1902 (Britannica).

Global merchandising and adaptations

• Potter patented a Peter Rabbit doll and created a board game, making Peter one of the first licensed characters (Britannica).
• Today the brand spans toys, clothing, movies, and a CBeebies animated series (BBC).

Modern film and television series

• A live-action/CGI film starring James Corden as Peter was released in 2018 (IMDb).
• The CBeebies series (2012–2016) featured a younger Peter and added new characters like Lily Bobtail (BBC).

Who are the three girl rabbits in Peter Rabbit?

Flopsy: the oldest sister

• Flopsy is often portrayed as the responsible eldest sister. In later stories she marries Benjamin Bunny (British Museum).
• She appears in The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies (1909).

Mopsy: the middle sister

• Mopsy is described as “good little” in the original tale. She is the middle sibling and less adventurous than Peter.
• No separate book focuses solely on Mopsy; she appears mainly in the family scenes.

Cotton-tail: the youngest sister

• Cotton-tail is the youngest of the four rabbit siblings (V&A).
• In the original story she is described as a “good little bunny” who does not go into Mr. McGregor’s garden.

What is Peter Rabbit’s girlfriend’s name?

Lily Bobtail in the CBeebies series

• Lily Bobtail was introduced in the 2012 CBeebies animated series as Peter’s friend and later romantic interest (BBC).
• She is described as six years old, the only daughter of Dr and Mrs Warren Bobtail, and is pragmatic and level-headed (BBC).

No romantic interest in the original books

• Beatrix Potter’s original stories do not include a love interest for Peter Rabbit. The character of Lily Bobtail was created specifically for the TV series (Britannica).
• In the original canon, Peter remains a bachelor focused on adventures with his cousin Benjamin.

The implication: If you’re reading the original books to a child, Peter has no girlfriend. The TV show adds Lily Bobtail to give Peter a peer group and a gentle romance subplot suitable for young audiences.

What was Peter Rabbit’s famous line?

“I am a rabbit and I am very, very brave”

• This catchphrase appears in the CBeebies animated series, where Peter says it before embarking on an adventure (BBC).
• In the original 1902 text, Peter does not speak in catchphrases; he is silent throughout the story after being chased by Mr. McGregor (Britannica).

“Deddufflation” and other invented words

• The TV series also coins playful words like “deddufflation,” reflecting Peter’s mischievous and bold personality.
• These phrases are not from Potter’s writing but have become part of the brand identity for the animated version.

The trade-off: Fans of the original stoic Peter may find the TV catchphrases jarring, while younger viewers embrace them as part of his hero persona.

“Four little rabbits… their names were Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter.”

Beatrix Potter, The Tale of Peter Rabbit (1902) — as quoted by the V&A

“I am a rabbit and I am very, very brave.”

Peter Rabbit, CBeebies animated series — via BBC Media Centre

For parents reading the original tales to preschoolers, the only rabbits they need to keep straight are Peter, Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail. If your child watches the CBeebies series, you’ll also hear about Lily Bobtail and see Benjamin Bunny as a regular pal. The distinction between Potter’s own characters and TV additions is small but worth knowing — it explains why some resources list different rabbit names than the books do.