Hello Kitty was created by Japanese designer Yuko Shimizu for the company Sanrio in 1974.

Who made Hello Kitty?

  • The original character design was drawn by illustrator Yuko Shimizu while working at Sanrio, a Japanese merchandising company.
  • Sanrio owns Hello Kitty as a brand and introduced her on products like a small coin purse in the mid‑1970s.
  • Later, designer Yuko Yamaguchi became one of the key ongoing character designers, but Shimizu is credited as the original creator.

Quick extra context

  • Hello Kitty’s “real” name in her official story is Kitty White, and she was launched as a cute (kawaii) character for everyday merchandise.
  • The design concept was to create a friendly, simple character that could be used on many kinds of products and appeal to children and adults worldwide.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.