Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles names and colours: Find out who is who
Since the story debuted in the 1980s, TMNT has captivated audiences, especially children and young adults. The crime-fighting heroes of New York are guided by their wise master in defending the city from different forms of evil. Did you know that each character used to be red? The Ninja Turtles' names and colours were later changed to distinguish them.
Source: Facebook
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The TMNT characters were born from a radioactive accident and thus became mutated, hence their name, Mutant Ninja Turtles. Each character in the story has a unique personality, but their strong traits are the spirit of brotherhood and resilience in the face of trouble. The story, filled with martial arts, embodies adventurous undertakings that signify enduring courage and camaraderie.
Ninja Turtles' names, colours and weapons
As per Brittanica, the world-famous media franchise was created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, renowned comic book artists in 1983. The Ninja Turtles' names and personalities follow the main characters of the story: Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo.
| Ninja | Colour | Weapon |
| Leonardo | Blue | Two katanas |
| Raphael | Red | Pair of sai |
| Donatello | Purple | Oak B |
| Michelangelo | Orange | Nunchaku |
Each TMNT character has a distinctive, conspicuous colour and brandishes a particular set of weapons. Here are the names and profiles of the Ninja brothers by colour.
Blue Ninja Turtle: Leo
Source: Twitter
The blue Ninja Turtle's name is Leonardo. He is the brothers' oldest, most disciplined, and cool-headed character. He also doubles as the leader of the brothers, as he is reputed to be an expert in swordplay. Leonardo wields two Katanas.
Red Ninja Turtle: Raphael
Source: Twitter
The red Ninja Turtle's name is Raphael. Raph, as his name is sometimes shortened, is usually restive and hot-headed. He uses a pair of sai as weapons.
His quick-to-temper attitude often gets the better of him, and he is always eager to oppose his calm and collected brother, Leonardo. While he may be a strong-headed fellow, the unique character always looks out for his brothers.
Orange Ninja Turtle: Michelangelo
Source: Twitter
The orange Ninja Turtle's name is Michelangelo. This character is a fun-loving turtle ninja who cares very little about discipline and is marked with disregard for instruction.
Mikey, as he is often referred to, loves MMA. He is touted as the fastest and most agile among the TMNT characters. He uses the traditional martial arts weapon nunchucks.
Purple Ninja Turtle: Donatello
Source: Twitter
The purple Ninja Turtle's name is Donatello. This brother is an intellectual and the technological brain of the group. Donnie, as he is often referred to, invents gadgets and vehicles for the TMNT characters and technical means to overcome their challenges.
He is also the kindest of the brothers and serves as Leonardo's deputy. He uses a bo staff as a weapon.
What colours are the four Ninja Turtles?
The four Ninja brothers each have a colour that includes blue, red, orange, and purple. Each of the TMNT characters' distinct colours has a particular meaning. The Ninja Turtles’ colours meaning are as follows:
- Blue: Blue symbolises water and snow. It shows the loyalty and calmness of the colour bearer, Leonardo.
- Red: The red colour signifies fire and earth. Red denotes Raphael's strength and tenacity.
- Orange: The colour orange represents light and sound. It also represents happiness and vigour, a frivolous character of Michelangelo.
- Purple: The purple colour denotes forest and technology. It shows Donatello's intelligence and ingenuity.
What are the four Ninja Turtles' personalities?
Leonardo is often described as calm, collected, and disciplined, while Raphael is hot-headed and restive. Michelangelo is hardly disciplined and fun-loving, while Donatello is intelligent and inventive. Interestingly, the four TMNT characters' personalities complement one another.
What is each Ninja Turtle known for?
Apart from their love for one of the most popular foods in the world, pizza, each of the Ninja brothers has a unique colour of the bandana, weapon, and personality. Here is what each of them is known for.
- Leonardo is known for his blue colour and a pair of katana;
- Donatello is known for the purple colour bandana and his bo staff weapon;
- Raphael is known for his red colour and a pair of sai weapons;
- Michelangelo is known for the orange colour and the nunchuck's weapon.
Who are the four Ninja Turtles named after?
The four Ninja brothers are named after iconic great men of the past. Leonardo is named after the Italian Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci who was also a famous engineer. Raphael is named after a 16th-century Italian painter and architect, Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino.
Source: Facebook
Donatello's name comes from the Italian sculptor Donato di Niccolò di Betto Bardi, while Michelangelo is named after the famous artist Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni.
Frequently asked questions
Many fans have gone beyond just watching the crime-fighting heroes of New York for entertainment to asking essential questions focused on the characters. You have questions and we have answers:
- What colour is the Michelangelo Ninja Turtle? The TMNT character wears an orange bandana and eye mask.
- Who is the lazy Ninja Turtle? The youngest brother, Mikey, is reportedly susceptible to avoiding work instead of focusing on his training.
- Which Ninja Turtle is the smartest? Donatello is intelligent and inventive. Despite these attributes, he is considered the gentlest of his brothers.
- Who is the most violent Ninja Turtle? Raphael fits into this title because he can be restive and hot-headed.
- Who is smarter, Leo or Donnie? Most fans will choose Donnie because of his ingenuity and brilliance in science, math, and technology.
The TMNT characters are anthropomorphic comic fictional characters trained in ninjutsu. The comic story first appeared in comic books before being made into motion pictures. The brothers are differentiated by their different Ninja Turtle names, colours and phrases. Cowabanga!
READ ALSO: The top most iconic green cartoon characters of all time
As published on Briefly, green cartoon characters have left an indelible mark on pop culture, captivating audiences with their unique personalities, memorable adventures, and timeless appeal in animation.
From the grumpy yet lovable ogre Shrek to the fearless intergalactic protector Green Lantern, these iconic figures have appeared in various mediums, from films and television shows to comic books and video games. Unmask the top most iconic green cartoon characters here.
Source: Briefly News
