Few superheroes have crossed generations and screens quite like Wonder Woman. Whether you remember the twirl of Lynda Carter’s transformation or Gal Gadot’s fierce battlefield stare, the character has a surprisingly tangled identity behind the scenes. This article traces her real name, her TV and film portrayers, and the shifting mythology that defines her — all verified against primary sources.
First appearance: All Star Comics #8, October 1941 ·
Creator: William Moulton Marston ·
Alter ego: Princess Diana of Themyscira ·
Powers: Superhuman strength, speed, flight ·
Key real-world portrayer (2017 film): Gal Gadot ·
Key TV portrayer (1975–1979): Lynda Carter
Quick snapshot
- Real name: Princess Diana of Themyscira (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman)
- Lynda Carter played Wonder Woman on TV from 1975–1979 (Wikipedia – Lynda Carter)
- Gal Gadot is the current film portrayer since 2016 (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman)
- Exact classification as god vs. demigod varies by comic universe (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman)
- Whether the character is a full god or demigod depends on the storyline (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman)
- First appearance: October 1941 (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman)
- First live-action TV: Lynda Carter in 1975 (Wikipedia – Lynda Carter)
- First film appearance: Gal Gadot in 2016 (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman)
- Wonder Woman remains a main DC superheroine in comics (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman)
- Future film appearances under DC Studios leadership (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman)
Six key facts, one pattern: the character’s identity has been remarkably stable across decades, even as her origin story shifted.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Princess Diana of Themyscira |
| Alias | Diana Prince |
| First TV Actress | Lynda Carter (1975) |
| Current Film Actress | Gal Gadot (2016) |
| Classification | Demigod in modern comics |
| First Appearance | All Star Comics #8 (1941) |
What is Wonder Woman’s real name?
Diana Prince as her civilian alias
- When living outside Themyscira, Wonder Woman uses the civilian identity Diana Prince (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman).
- This alias was introduced in the original comics and carried into every screen adaptation.
Princess Diana of Themyscira as her birth name
- Her true name is Princess Diana of Themyscira (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman).
- In comics, she is the daughter of Queen Hippolyta (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman).
The implication: the “Diana Prince” alias is a cover, not her identity — a distinction that matters for understanding the character’s core.
Who was the original Wonder Woman on TV?
Lynda Carter’s role in the 1970s series
- Lynda Carter played Wonder Woman in the television series from 1975 to 1979 (Wikipedia – Lynda Carter).
- The series aired on ABC and later CBS (IMDb – Lynda Carter).
- Carter is credited as the first live-action TV Wonder Woman (Wikipedia – Lynda Carter).
Other early attempts at a Wonder Woman TV adaptation
- Cathy Lee Crosby played Wonder Woman in a 1974 TV movie (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman).
- Lynda Carter’s 1975 series is the most famous early portrayal (Wikipedia – Lynda Carter).
Lynda Carter’s portrayal set the template for Wonder Woman on screen — the twirl transformation, the star-spangled costume, and the blend of compassion with power. Every subsequent actress has built on that foundation.
The pattern: the first actress to portray the character was not the most influential — Carter’s run defined the role for a generation.
Who is the current Wonder Woman?
Gal Gadot in the DC Extended Universe films
- Gal Gadot portrays Wonder Woman in the DCEU films since 2016 (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman).
- She debuted in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman).
- Gadot starred in Wonder Woman (2017) and Wonder Woman 1984 (2020) (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman).
Current comic book incarnation
- The comic book character continues as a main DC superheroine (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman).
- DC’s New 52 continuity revised her origin to being the biological daughter of Zeus (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman).
The trade-off: Gadot’s film version uses the New 52 demigod origin, while longtime comic fans may prefer the classic clay-born origin.
Is Wonder Woman a god or a demigod?
Her divine origins in the comics
- In many comic continuities, she is a demigod, daughter of Zeus (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman).
- She possesses superhuman powers from divine blessings (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman).
Differences between god and demigod classifications
- A demigod is half-mortal, half-divine — Wonder Woman fits this in the New 52 canon (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman).
- A full god would be entirely divine, which she is not in most storylines.
Changes in her origin story over time
- The original Golden Age origin says she was sculpted from clay by Queen Hippolyta and brought to life by Greek goddesses (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman).
- DC’s New 52 continuity introduced a revised origin in which Diana is the biological daughter of Zeus and Hippolyta (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman).
- That revision changed Wonder Woman from a clay-born Amazon to a demigoddess in modern canon (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman).
The answer depends entirely on which comic era you’re reading. Pre-2011: she’s a clay-born Amazon blessed by gods. Post-2011: she’s a demigod daughter of Zeus. The film adaptation uses the demigod version.
What this means: the “god vs. demigod” question has no single answer — it’s a timeline-dependent classification.
Who played the first ever Wonder Woman?
First live-action portrayal: Cathy Lee Crosby (1974 TV movie)
- Cathy Lee Crosby played Wonder Woman in a 1974 TV movie (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman).
- This was the first live-action portrayal of the character.
First animated portrayals
- Jane Webb provided the first voice of Wonder Woman in 1972 for The Brady Kids animated series (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman).
- Animated portrayals continued through various DC animated series.
Lynda Carter as the definitive 1970s version
- Lynda Carter’s 1975 series is the most famous early portrayal (Wikipedia – Lynda Carter).
- The first actress to portray the character was not the most influential — Carter defined the role.
The pattern: the first portrayal rarely becomes the iconic one — Carter’s run proved that timing and cultural impact matter more than being first.
Timeline of Wonder Woman portrayals
- October 1941: Wonder Woman first appears in All Star Comics #8 (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman)
- 1974: Cathy Lee Crosby plays Wonder Woman in a TV movie (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman)
- 1975–1979: Lynda Carter stars as Wonder Woman in the TV series (Wikipedia – Lynda Carter)
- 2016: Gal Gadot debuts as Wonder Woman in Batman v Superman (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman)
- 2017: Wonder Woman standalone film released (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman)
- 2020: Wonder Woman 1984 film released (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman)
From 1941 to 2020, Wonder Woman has had only three major live-action portrayers — a remarkably small number for an 80-year-old character. That consistency has helped cement her as one of the most recognizable superheroes in the world.
Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Wonder Woman’s real name is Princess Diana of Themyscira (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman)
- Lynda Carter played Wonder Woman on TV from 1975 to 1979 (Wikipedia – Lynda Carter)
- Gal Gadot is the current film portrayer (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman)
- Wonder Woman first appeared in All Star Comics #8 in October 1941 (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman)
What’s unclear
- Exact classification as god vs. demigod varies by comic universe (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman)
- Whether the character is a full god or demigod depends on the storyline (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman)
Key quotes on Wonder Woman’s legacy
Wonder Woman is a superheroine appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in All Star Comics #8, published October 1941.
Wikipedia – Wonder Woman
Lynda Carter is best known for portraying Wonder Woman in the television series Wonder Woman from 1975 to 1979.
Wikipedia – Lynda Carter
Gal Gadot portrays Wonder Woman in the DC Extended Universe films since 2016.
Wikipedia – Wonder Woman
DC’s New 52 continuity introduced a revised origin in which Diana is the biological daughter of Zeus and Hippolyta.
Wikipedia – Wonder Woman
Summary
Wonder Woman’s identity — from her real name to her screen portrayers — is remarkably consistent across 80 years. Princess Diana of Themyscira, known as Diana Prince in the human world, has been brought to life by Lynda Carter for television and Gal Gadot for film, with her origin shifting from clay-born Amazon to Zeus-born demigod in modern continuity. For anyone looking up the character for the first time, the core facts are stable: one real name, two iconic actresses, and a demigod classification that depends on which comic era you’re reading. Gal Gadot remains the current standard for the character in film, while Lynda Carter’s 1970s portrayal still defines her on television.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Wonder Woman’s true name?
Her true name is Princess Diana of Themyscira (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman).
Who played Wonder Woman in the 1970s TV series?
Lynda Carter played Wonder Woman in the television series from 1975 to 1979 (Wikipedia – Lynda Carter).
Who plays Wonder Woman in the movies now?
Gal Gadot portrays Wonder Woman in the DC Extended Universe films since 2016 (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman).
Is Wonder Woman a god?
In modern comic continuity (New 52), she is a demigod, daughter of Zeus. In earlier versions, she was a clay statue brought to life by the gods (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman).
What are Wonder Woman’s powers?
She possesses superhuman strength, speed, flight, and combat skills, granted by divine blessings (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman).
Who created Wonder Woman?
Wonder Woman was created by William Moulton Marston, with H. G. Peter uncredited (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman).
Who was the first actress to play Wonder Woman?
Cathy Lee Crosby played Wonder Woman in a 1974 TV movie, making her the first live-action portrayer (Wikipedia – Wonder Woman).
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