Snoopy is famously Charlie Brown’s dog in re-reading some Peanuts comic strips, I’ve had a startling realization: Snoopy doesn’t even know Charlie Brown’s name. Snoopy knows Charlie Brown is responsible for feeding and taking care of him, but that seems to be about as far as their relationship goes (from Snoopy’s perspective) - and honestly, this is the most ‘Charlie Brown’ thing to ever happen to Charlie Brown in Peanuts.

Proof that Snoopy doesn’t actually know Charlie Brown’s name isn’t only found in a single story arc or even in just a running gag that extends throughout Peanuts canon.

For more reasons than one, “The Round-Headed Kid” is a pretty insulting nickname for Snoopy to give to Charlie Brown. Firstly, it calls attention to Charlie Brown’s big, round head, which is an added insecurity that I firmly believe a hapless kid like Charlie Brown just doesn’t need in his life. Secondly (and more obviously), it’s insulting because it’s not a nickname at all; it’s a stand-in for Charlie Brown’s actual name, since Snoopy simply refuses to learn it.

However, I have found a glimmer of hope in Charlie Brown’s relationship with Snoopy: Snoopy still cares deeply for Charlie Brown. Snoopy may not know his name (or care to learn it), but throughout Peanuts - even in the above strips - Snoopy makes it clear that he loves “The Round-Headed Kid”. Snoopy knows that Charlie Brown will always bring him food when he’s hungry, he gives Charlie Brown presents for Christmas, and he even wanted to introduce Charlie Brown to his mom, which almost makes the fact that he doesn’t know his name forgivable.

Snoopy Not Knowing Charlie Brown’s Name is Even Funnier from a Meta Perspective

Charlie Brown’s Name is More Recognizable Than the Name of His Series, but Snoopy Still Doesn’t Know It

Snoopy not knowing Charlie Brown’s name - calling him “The Round-Headed Kid” instead - is pretty hilarious, but I think looking at this situation from a meta perspective is even funnier. Think about it, ‘Charlie Brown’ is more popular and recognizable than ‘Peanuts’ when considering the series as a whole. That’s proven true with the holiday specials alone. For instance, two of the most popular are the Halloween and Christmas specials, but the title ‘Peanuts’ isn’t found in either of them. They’re called “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. See a pattern?

What I’m saying is that Charlie Brown is the main character of Peanuts, and his name has become more synonymous with the franchise than the actual name of the franchise itself. That’s why I think it’s so utterly hilarious that, despite that, Snoopy still doesn’t know Charlie Brown’s name. Literally everyone else in the world knows Charlie Brown’s name but Snoopy, and Snoopy is his dog! Sure, Snoopy loves Charlie Brown and feels safe in his presence, but come on, he’s got to learn his name - at this point, it’s just insulting (albeit very, very funny).

This is Far From Snoopy’s Only Hilarious Running Gag in Peanuts

Snoopy has No Shortage of Running Gags, Especially with His Alter Egos

Snoopy calling Charlie Brown “The Round-Headed Kid” is definitely a hilarious running gag in Peanuts, but it’s far from Snoopy’s only one - even when it comes to nicknames or alternate personas. Charlie Brown isn’t the only one Snoopy gave a nickname to, as he’s also given more than a few to himself. The likes of ‘WWI Flying Ace’, ‘World Famous Golf Pro’, and - of course - ‘Joe Cool’ are just some of the alternate personas Snoopy has taken on over the years. And the best part? These alter egos come back again and again.

None of them are just ‘one-offs’, meaning each one of Snoopy’s alter egos is their own running gag in Peanuts, and all of them are hilarious. However, while this is far from Snoopy’s only running gag, I think that Snoopy referring to Charlie Brown as “The Round-Headed Kid” might be the funniest one, both from the in-world and meta perspective. But, even after uncovering this bizarre truth in Peanuts lore, I still can barely believe that Snoopy actually doesn’t know Charlie Brown’s name.