List of notable female characters

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This is a list of female characters who are notable within SF.

Criteria

This is a list of female characters who are notable within SF, beyond their original work or series. Most have had a significant influence on the development of other female characters, and have been frequently studied/critiqued/cited/analyzed. These are specific, individual characters, not character types, archetypes, or stereotypes (like the "wicked stepmother"). See Clichés, Archetypes, Stereotypes of Female Characters in SF.

Criteria and examples might include:

• first example of a female character in a genre ("Jirel of Joiry")
• the character was pathbreaking ("Uhura" as played by Nichelle Nichols)
• the character is so well-known as to have virtually defined the character; she has achieved iconic status ("Mata Hari"; Xena as a warrior princess update of Jirel of Joiry)
• the character is cited by many real-life people as an inspiration for their art or in their lives ("Wonder Woman")
• the character is the exemplar or best-known example of a female character in that role or genre (e.g., "Lara Croft" for female POV characters in the action adventure gaming genre)
• the character's story arc ("Podkayne of Mars") or personality ("Podkayne of Mars" spunky girl; "Susan Calvin" sterile female scientist) is frequently cited as an example of a particular way of characterizing female characters
• the character is highly notable in a highly notable series or work and has achieved significant notability for that ("Jean Grey/Phoenix")
• the character is well-known as a character and was pivotal in a feminist reclamation of a particular type of female character ("Buffy" as a damsel in distress; "Tenar" as a reclamation of the Earthsea series; "Alyx" as the female adventurer)
• Massive influence on fandom or the genre in some other way ("Xena" and "Gabrielle")

Characters need not be necessarily ideal, perfect, feminist, or good role-models; they are notable.

List of characters

A - C

• Ace (Doctor Who) - last companion of the original Dr Who; she had her own character arc
• Aeryn Sun - leading female character of Farscape, who also occupies the non-traditional position of being the tough warrior in a male-female relationship
• Alyx - first female antihero a la Fafhrd