Bobblehead Definition – What is a Bobblehead?

A bobblehead is a fun collectible doll with a disproportionately large head on a proportionally much smaller body. The head is connected to the body with a spring or some other kind of flexible connection that allows it to wobble when tapped slightly. These special characteristics make it a unique type of figurine and give it nicknames such as head nodder, bobbing head, and nodding doll among others.

Bobbleheads are usually made of some sort of plastic or poly-resin and may be flocked or have a fuzz-like surface covering. They are often painted to look like a certain person, animal or object. They are generally small, standing figures that are 6-12 inches tall. They can be positioned on stands or they can be displayed on a wall or car dashboard. They are often given out as stadium giveaways or as promotional items and are very popular with sports fans.

While the modern bobblehead is mostly associated with professional sports teams and their players, they actually go back a long way. The first one is thought to be from the 1920s, when a bobblehead replica of a New York Knicks basketball player was produced. The popularity of these toys had waned in the following decades, but returned with a roar right before the turn of the millennium when baseball teams started producing them as stadium giveaways for their fans.

Today, the trend has spread to most professional sports teams and even some non-sports related entities. They are typically issued for a specific occasion, such as the anniversary of a player’s career milestone or to commemorate a special event or achievement. Some have a relic or other element attached to them to increase their value, such as a piece of infield dirt or a game-used ball.