The Hattifatteners

A large number of characters are found in the Moomin series by Tove Jansson.

The original Swedish names are given in parentheses, with the etymologies and word associations suggested by Bertills 2003.

There are other characters who appear from time to time.

Several primary characters largely disappear from the later books in series. Most notable of these are Sniff and the Snork Maiden, who are after all members of the extended family and live with the Moomins in several books. But after The Exploits of Moominpappa, Sniff is suddenly and inexplicably no longer mentioned, and after Moominland Midwinter, the Snork Maiden, too, is absent from the stories. (They do not vanish completely, however, since Sniff later on plays a major role in both the short story "Cedric" in Tales from Moominvalley and in the picture-book The Dangerous Journey, the Snork Maiden is mentioned a few times in Moominpappa at Sea, and they both appear as minor characters in An Unwanted Guest.)

...
Wikipedia